4th Schedule of Indian Constitution | UPSC Indian Polity Notes
4th Schedule of Indian Constitution
Intro: The 4th Schedule of Indian Constitution plays a crucial role in the allocation of seats for each state and union territory in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament. This schedule ensures a proportional representation of the diverse demographic and geographical expanse of India, reflecting the federal structure of the nation. It balances the representation of populous states with smaller ones, thus maintaining a form of equitable representation across India’s varied regions. the allocation is based on the population of each state and is subject to periodic revisions to accommodate changes in demographic.
Articles related to 4th schedule of Indian Constitution 4(1) and 80(2)
Allocation of seats in the Council of States
To each State or Union territory specified in the first column of the following table, there shall be allotted the number of seats specified in the second column thereof opposite to that State or that Union territory, as the case may be:
Table:
| 1. Andhra Pradesh | 11 |
| 2. Telangana | 7 |
| 3. Assam | 7 |
| 4. Bihar | 16 |
| 5. Jharkhand | 6 |
| 6. Goa | 1 |
| 7. Gujarat | 11 |
| 8. Haryana | 5 |
| 9. Kerala | 9 |
| 10.Madhya Pradesh | 11 |
| 11.Chhattisgarh | 5 |
| 12.Tamil Nadu | 18 |
| 13.Maharashtra | 19 |
| 14.Karnataka | 12 |
| 15.Odisha | 10 |
| 16.Punjab | 7 |
| 17.Rajasthan | 10 |
| 18.Uttar Pradesh | 31 |
| 19.Uttarakhand | 3 |
| 20.West Bengal | 16 |
| 21.Nagaland | 1 |
| 22.Himachal Pradesh | 3 |
| 23.Manipur | 1 |
| 24.Tripura | 1 |
| 25.Meghalaya | 1 |
| 26.Sikkim | 1 |
| 27.Mizoram | 1 |
| 28.Arunachal Pradesh | 1 |
| 29.Delhi | 3 |
| 30.Puducherry | 1 |
| 31.Jammu and Kashmir | 4 |
| Total | 233 |
Commentary on 4th Schedule of Indian Constitution
The Constitution of India, in Article 79, provides for a Union legislature that consists of the President and the two houses, namely the House of People (Lok Sabha) and the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). While the Lok Sabha is subject to dissolution, the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body.
The Council of States or the Rajya Sabha (the Hindi name was adopted in 1954) represents the states and the Union territories, and it is a permanent house in which members are indirectly elected by state legislative assembly members (MLAs).
Strength of Rajya Sabha
Article 80 provides the total strength of the Rajya Sabha:
- The maximum strength of the upper House is 250, out of which 238 members represent the states and the Union territories (with legislature) and 12 members nominated by the President.
- The Nominated members are eminent personalities from different walks of life, such as literature, science, arts and social work.
- The current strength of the House is 245.
The division of these numbers state-wise is given in the 4th schedule as provided in the table above. These members are elected by the respective elected members of the Legislative assembly of the states.
No UTs other than Delhi and Puducherry are represented in the Rajya Sabha, as only these two UTs have legislative assembly.
List of Amendments in 4th Schedule of Indian Constitution
| Amendment | Description |
| Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956 | ReorganisationReorganisation of states in India, and formation of 14 states and 6 Union territories, with complete reorganisationreorganisation of seats in the Rajya Sabha |
| Andhra Pradesh and Madras (Alteration of Boundaries) Act of 1959 | Reassignment of seats to Madras and Andhra Pradesh |
| Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 | Reassignment of seats to Maharashtra and Gujarat |
| State of Nagaland Act, 1962 | Creation of Nagaland and assignment of seats |
| Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 | Reassignment of seats to Punjab and Haryana |
| Madras State (Alteration of Name) Act, 1968 | Change in the name of Madras to Tamil Nadu |
| Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 | Creation of Himachal Pradesh and assignment of seats |
| Mysore State (Alteration of Name) Act, 1973 | Change in the name of Mysore to Karnataka |
| Constitution (Thirty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1975 | Creation of Sikkim and assignment of seats |
| State of Mizoram Act, 1986 | Creation of Mizoram and assignment of seats |
| State of Arunachal Pradesh Act, 1986 | Creation of Arunachal Pradesh and assignment of seats |
| Goa, Daman and Diu Reorganisation Act, 1987 | Reassignment of seats to Goa |
| Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000 | Reassignment of seats to Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal |
| Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000 | Reassignment of seats to Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh |
| Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000 | Reassignment of seats to Bihar and Jharkhand |
| Pondicherry (Alteration of Name) Act, 2006 | Change in the name of Pondicherry to Puducherry |
| Uttaranchal (Alteration of Name) Act, 2006 | Change in the name of Uttaranchal to Uttarakhand |
| Orissa (Alteration of Name) Act, 2011 | Change in the name of Orissa to Odisha |
| Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 | Reassignment of seats to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana |
|
Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 |
Change in the constituency of Jammu and Kashmir |
Note: Currently, all 28 states and 3 Union Territories, namely Delhi, Puducherry, Jammu, and Kashmir, are assigned seats in the Rajya Sabha.
Conclusion
The 4th schedule of Indian Constitution, detailing the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to each state and Union territory, underscores the essence of federal representation in India’s parliamentary democracy. Through its meticulous allocation and periodic amendments, it ensures that each region’s voice is heard in the legislative process, thereby reinforcing the principle of unity in diversity.
This schedule not only facilitates a balanced representation of states in the national legislature but also adapts to the evolving administrative boundaries and demographics of India.
For Further Reference:
- Read the constitution of India.
- Read the Parliament of India
- Read about the Reorganisation of states in India.
