Fourth Schedule

The Fourth Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the Allocation of seats in the Council of States. The number of members varies from State to State. In other words, the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution provides for the allocation of seats to various States and

Union Territories with respect to Rajya Sabha. 

This article will provide information about one of the 12 schedules of the constitution – the Fourth Schedule, in the context of the IAS Exam.

This article is useful for the Indian Polity segment (GS Paper 2) of the UPSC Syllabus.

The candidates can read more relevant articles for their upcoming competitive examinations from the links provided below:

Fourth Schedule of Indian Constitution

• According to Article 80(2), the allocation of seats in the Council of States to be filled by representatives of the States and of the Union territories shall be in accordance with the provisions in that behalf contained in the Fourth Schedule. 

• The State of Uttar Pradesh has the maximum number of members (31). 
• The States of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura have got only 1 member each.
• Consequent to the reorganisation of States and the formation of new States, the number of elected seats in the Rajya Sabha allotted to States and Union Territories has changed from time to time since 1952.
• The Union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Chandigarh do not have any representatives in the Rajya Sabha.

History of Fourth Schedule

The fourth schedule of the Indian Constitution has evolved over the years, and it has been briefly discussed below:

• When the Constitution was adopted in 1949, the Rajya Sabha was to consist of 217 members, of which 12 members were to be nominated by the President and the remaining 205 elected to represent the States.
• When the Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, the Rajya Sabha was to consist of 216 members, of which 12 members were to be nominated by the President and the remaining 204 elected to represent the States. 
• The Fourth Schedule was amended by the Andhra State Act, 1953, the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, and the Bihar and West Bengal (Transfer of Territories) Act, 1956.
• The total number of elective seats increased from 204 to 207 in 1954 and from 207 to 220 in 1956 (addition of thirteen seats). 
• Similarly, the Fourth Schedule was amended every time when a new state is formed or any amendment is made to the existing acts. 
• Finally, the present strength, however, is 245 members of whom 233 are representatives of the States and Union territories and 12 are nominated by the President.

To read about the List of Schedules of the Indian Constitution, check the linked article.

Fourth Schedule [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

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