The qualifications for becoming a Member of Parliament (MP) in India are outlined in the Constitution of India, specifically in Articles 84 and 173. These qualifications differ for members of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
Qualifications for Lok Sabha (House of the People):
Citizenship:
The candidate must be a citizen of India.
Age:
The minimum age for eligibility is 25 years.
Voter Eligibility:
The candidate must be a registered voter in an Indian constituency.
Disqualifications:
A person cannot stand for election if they are disqualified under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Disqualifications may include issues such as being of unsound mind, holding an office of profit under the government, or being convicted of certain offenses.
Qualifications for Rajya Sabha (Council of States):
Citizenship:
The candidate must be a citizen of India.
Age:
The minimum age for eligibility is 30 years.
Voter Eligibility:
The candidate must be a registered voter in an Indian state or union territory.
Disqualifications:
Similar to the Lok Sabha, a person cannot be a member of the Rajya Sabha if they are disqualified under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The disqualifications include being of unsound mind, holding an office of profit under the government, or being convicted of certain offenses.
Additional Points:
Nomination to Rajya Sabha:
In addition to elected members, the President of India can nominate individuals to the Rajya Sabha for their expertise in various fields, such as literature, science, art, and social service. However, the nominee must still meet the basic qualifications of citizenship and age.
Vacation of Seat:
If a member of either house is subsequently found to have violated any of the qualifications or incurred disqualifications, their seat may be declared vacant.
Conclusion:
The qualifications for Members of Parliament in India are designed to ensure that individuals elected or nominated to represent the people or the states/union territories meet certain basic criteria related to citizenship, age, and voter eligibility. These qualifications aim to maintain the integrity of the parliamentary system and uphold the principles of democratic governance.
