Reserved constituencies: how seats are set aside for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Some constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes. Everybody in them votes, but only a member of the reserved community can stand. This guide explains how that works.
By the Janadesh Online editorial team. Facts last checked against the sources below on 25 September 2026.
What reservation means
Article 330 reserves seats in the Lok Sabha for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Article 332 does the same for the Legislative Assembly of every state. The number of reserved seats in a state bears, as nearly as may be, the same proportion to its total seats as the population of the Scheduled Castes (or Tribes) bears to the state's population. The Explanation to Article 330 says "population" means the last census whose figures are published, and until the first census after 2026 is published, the 2001 census.
- 543Total Lok Sabha seats
- 84Reserved for Scheduled Castes
- 47Reserved for Scheduled Tribes
The split of 84 and 47 comes from PRS and other secondary sources, because we could not load a page of the Election Commission with these counts. It follows the delimitation orders made on 2001 census figures and could change after the next delimitation.
Who can stand and who can vote
- Every registered elector of the constituency votes
- The Act sets conditions only on candidates, not on voters, and there is no community test for being on the roll
- Must be a member of a Scheduled Caste (for an SC seat) or Scheduled Tribe (for an ST seat), of that state or any other state
- Must be an elector for any parliamentary constituency
- Must declare the caste or tribe in the nomination paper
A member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe is not barred from contesting a general seat. Section 55 says such a person "shall not be disqualified to hold a seat not reserved" for their community. See filing a nomination for the other requirements.
How the reserved seats are chosen
The Delimitation Commission decides which constituencies are reserved. Section 9(1) of the Delimitation Act, 2002 tells it to place SC seats, as far as practicable, "in those areas where the proportion of their population to the total is comparatively large", and ST seats in areas where the proportion is the largest. The number of reserved seats is fixed on the 2001 census, while the total number of seats stays on the 1971 census. See what delimitation is. The 2008 exercise changed which constituencies are reserved.
When the reservation ends
- 26 Jan 1950
The Constitution comes into force. Article 334 provides that reservation in the Lok Sabha and the Assemblies ceases after a fixed period.
- 25 Jan 2020
The 104th Amendment takes effect. It extends the reservation for SC and ST seats by ten years, to eighty years from the Constitution's commencement. It also ends the nomination of Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha and Assemblies.
- 26 Jan 2030
Eighty years from commencement. The reservation ceases after this unless Parliament extends it again.
The reservation has been extended before. Whether it will be extended again is for Parliament to decide, so this page does not say that it will. The 106th Amendment on women's reservation is a separate measure, described in what delimitation is.
Frequently asked questions
Who can vote in a reserved constituency?
Every registered elector of the constituency. The Representation of the People Act restricts only who may stand as a candidate.
Can a Scheduled Caste candidate contest a general seat?
Yes. Section 55 of the Representation of the People Act says they are not disqualified from a seat that is not reserved.
How many Lok Sabha seats are reserved?
Of 543 seats, 84 are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 47 for Scheduled Tribes, according to PRS and other secondary sources, following the delimitation orders on 2001 census figures.
Who decides which seats are reserved?
The Delimitation Commission, under section 9 of the Delimitation Act, 2002.
When does the reservation end?
Article 334, as amended by the 104th Amendment, provides that it ceases eighty years after the Constitution came into force, which is 26 January 2030, unless Parliament extends it.
Sources
- Constitution of India, Article 330
- Constitution of India, Article 334
- Constitution (104th Amendment) Act, 2019
- Delimitation Act, 2002 (Act 33 of 2002)
- Delimitation Act, 2002, on Indian Kanoon
- Election Commission of India: delimitation procedure
- Ministry of External Affairs: state-wise seats in the Lok Sabha (2009)
- PRS: Profile of the 18th Lok Sabha
- Wikipedia: Reserved political positions in India
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