Section Article 170: Composition of the Legislative Assemblies

Q: What does Section Article 170 of The Constitution of India (COI) deal with?

Section Article 170 COI pertains to "Composition of the Legislative Assemblies". It is part of the The Constitution of India, a legislation enacted by the Parliament of India. Section Article 170 of The Constitution of India (COI) governs composition of the Legislative Assemblies.

Q: Is Section Article 170 COI still in force?

Yes, Section Article 170 of the The Constitution of India is currently in force across the Republic of India.

Q: What is धारा Article 170 COI?

धारा Article 170 COI is the Devanagari Hindi reference for Section Article 170 of the The Constitution of India. Section Article 170 of The Constitution of India (COI) governs composition of the Legislative Assemblies.

Q: What is Dhara Article 170 COI?

Dhara Article 170 COI is the Roman Hindi reference for Section Article 170 of the The Constitution of India. "Dhara" means "Section" in Hindi. Section Article 170 of The Constitution of India (COI) governs composition of the Legislative Assemblies.

Q: How to cite Section Article 170 of The Constitution of India?

Cite as: "Section Article 170, The Constitution of India (COI)" in legal briefs. For academic writing, use the BlueBook format: The Constitution of India, § Article 170 (India).

Law on Tips Editorial Board

(1) Subject to the provisions of article 333, the Legislative Assembly of each State shall consist of not more than five hundred, and not less than sixty, members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the State.

(2) For the purposes of clause (1), each State shall be divided into territorial constituencies in such manner that the ratio between the population of each constituency and the number of seats allotted to it shall, so far as practicable, be the same throughout the State.

Explanation.—In this clause, the expression “population” means the population as ascertained at the last preceding census of which the relevant figures have been published:

Provided that the reference in this Explanation to the last preceding census of which the relevant figures have been published published shall, until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year 2026 have been published, be construed as a reference to the 2001 census.

(3) Upon the completion of each census, the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of each State and the division of each State into territorial constituencies shall be readjusted by such authority and in such manner as Parliament may by law determine:

Provided that such readjustment shall not affect representation in the Legislative Assembly until the dissolution of the then existing Assembly:

Provided further that such readjustment shall take effect from such date as the President may, by order, specify and until such readjustment takes effect, any election to the Legislative Assembly may be held on the basis of the territorial constituencies existing before such readjustment:

Provided also that until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year 2026 have been published, it shall not be necessary to readjust— (i) the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of each State as readjusted on the basis of the 1971 census; and (ii) the division of such State into territorial constituencies as may be readjusted on the basis of the 2001 census, under this clause.