Types of Majorities in the Indian Constitution

Types of Majorities in the Indian Constitution (Exam-Oriented Notes)

1. Simple Majority (Functional / Working Majority)

Meaning

More than 50% of members present and voting in the House.Key Constitutional Articles

• Article 100 – Voting in Parliament, quorum, functioning despite vacancies
• Article 108 – Joint sitting of Parliament
• Article 169 – Creation or abolition of State Legislative Council
• Article 356 – Proclamation of President’s Rule

Where It Is Used

• Passing ordinary bills in Parliament and State Legislatures
• No-Confidence Motion, Confidence Motion, Adjournment Motion, Censure Motion
• Approval of President’s Rule and Financial Emergency resolutions
• Creation or abolition of Legislative Councils in States
• Election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

2. Absolute Majority

Meaning

More than 50% of the total membership of the House, irrespective of attendance.Important Note

• This majority is not generally used for legislative business.

Application

• Formation of government at the Centre and in States after general elections
• Example: If Lok Sabha has 545 members, at least 273 members are required

3. Effective Majority

Meaning

More than 50% of the effective strength of the House

(Effective strength = Total strength − Vacant seats)Illustration

• Lok Sabha strength = 545
• Vacant seats = 15
• Effective strength = 530
• Effective majority = 266

Relevant Constitutional Articles

• Article 67(b) – Removal of Vice President
• Article 90(c) – Removal of Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha
• Article 94(c) – Removal of Speaker / Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha

Usage

• Removal of Vice President of India
• Removal of Speaker / Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha and State Legislatures
• Rajya Sabha passes VP removal by effective majority; Lok Sabha approves by simple majority

4. Special Majority – Type I

Meaning

At least two-thirds of members present and votingKey Provision

• Article 249

Purpose

• Enables Parliament to legislate on State List subjects in national interest
• Requires a resolution in Rajya Sabha

5. Special Majority – Type II

Meaning

• Two-thirds of members present and voting, and
• More than 50% of total House strength

Constitutional Basis

• Article 368 (General amendment procedure)

Applied To

• Amendments affecting:
  • Fundamental Rights (Part III)
  • Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV)
  • Most constitutional provisions not needing state ratification

6. Special Majority – Type III (Federal Majority)

Meaning

• Special Majority in Parliament plus
• Ratification by at least 50% of State Legislatures by simple majority

Used For Amendments Related To

• Election and powers of the President
• Executive powers of Union and States
• Supreme Court and High Courts
• Distribution of legislative powers (Union, State, Concurrent Lists)
• Representation of States in Parliament
• Amendment procedure itself (Article 368)

7. Special Majority – Type IV

Meaning

Approval by two-thirds of the total membership of each HouseRelevant Article

• Article 61 – Impeachment of the President

Application

• Removal of the President of India for violation of the Constitution
• Requires this majority in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

Quick Exam Memory Line

Simple → Day-to-day business
Absolute → Government formation
Effective → Removal of presiding officers
Special → Constitutional and federal matters