Previous Year Question
How many members may be nominated by the President from Anglo-Indian Community, if he is of opinion that the community is not adequately represented in the House of the People?
3
5
1
2
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Under the constitutional arrangement applicable when this question was asked, the President could nominate not more than two members of the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha. Article 331 provided that if the President was of the opinion that the Anglo-Indian community was not adequately represented in the House of the People, he could nominate not more than two members of that community.
The purpose of this provision was to provide representation to a small community that might otherwise not secure adequate representation through the ordinary electoral process.
The expression “not more than two” is important. The President was not required to nominate two members in every case; the power operated when the President considered the community inadequately represented.
Current Position
This Question reflects the constitutional position applicable in 2014. The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 subsequently amended Article 334, and the special representation of the Anglo-Indian community was not extended beyond 25 January 2020. Therefore, the system of Presidential nomination of two Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha is no longer operational.
It is useful to note that the text of Article 331 still appears in the Constitution, but the time limit under Article 334 has caused the nomination-based special representation to cease to operate.
Thus, remember—
Earlier position → Maximum 2 members
After 25 January 2020 → Special Anglo-Indian nomination no longer operational