6.1. Qualifications

The qualifications for a Member of Parliament & State Legislature as laid down under Article 84 & Article 173 of the Constitution are that he/she should:

(i) be a citizen of India,

(ii) be not less than 30 years of age in the case of the Council of States/Legislative Council and not less than 25 years of age in the case of the House of the people/Legislative Assembly, and

(iii) be possessing such other qualifications as may be laid down by Parliament.

The Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951 requires that he/she should be an elector for a parliamentary constituency in India i.e. his/her name should be registered in any parliamentary constituency. For seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, a candidate should belong to those castes or tribes. A member of the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe is, however, not disqualified to contest election from a general seat, i.e., seat not reserved for members of those castes or tribes, if he is otherwise qualified to contest such a seat.

A candidate is required to make and subscribe before a person authorised in that behalf by the Election Commission, an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the Constitution and to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India.