Lok Sabha
The First Chamber: Direct Election & Popular Mandate
PART I — COMPOSITION & ELECTION
ARTICLE 81
Composition
- **Maximum Strength:** 550 (530 from States + 20 from UTs).
- **Current Strength:** 543 (All elected).
- **104th Amendment Act (2019):** Abolished the provision for the President to nominate 2 members of the Anglo-Indian community, fixing the max capacity at 550 instead of 552.
ARTICLE 326
Direct Election
- Members are directly elected by the people from territorial constituencies using the **First-Past-The-Post** (plurality) system.
- Based on the principle of **Universal Adult Franchise**.
- **61st Amendment Act (1988):** Reduced the voting age from 21 years to **18 years**.
PART II — TENURE & DISSOLUTION
ARTICLE 83(2)
Term of the House
- The normal term is **5 years** from the date of its first meeting after the general elections.
- **Emergency Extension:** During a National Emergency, Parliament can extend the Lok Sabha's term by law for **one year at a time** (for any length of time).
- This extension cannot continue beyond a period of 6 months after the emergency ceases to operate.
ARTICLE 85(2)
Dissolution
- Unlike the Rajya Sabha, the Lok Sabha is **not a continuing chamber** and is subject to dissolution.
- **Automatic:** At the expiry of its 5-year tenure.
- **By Order:** The President can dissolve the Lok Sabha at any time upon the advice of the Prime Minister (e.g., to seek a fresh mandate or if the government loses its majority). Dissolution is irrevocable.
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