By which Amendment of the Indian Constitution the age for voting was reduced from 21 years to 18 years?

Appeared in: UPPSC 2017

Explanation

The Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1988, lowered the voting age for elections to the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies.
It amended Article 326 of the Constitution, changing the voting age from twenty-one years to eighteen years.
This change was enacted to allow the youth of the country, who had attained a sufficient level of maturity and political awareness, to participate in the democratic process.
The bill was introduced by B. Shankaranand, the then Minister of Water Resources, and came into force on March 28, 1989.

Option A: The 59th Amendment was related to the imposition of an emergency in Punjab.
Option C: The 62nd Amendment was concerned with extending the period of reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Option D: The 60th Amendment dealt with increasing the ceiling of the professional tax.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indian Constitutional Amendments and Voting Rights as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This topic is part of General Knowledge and Civics, which is essential for a well-rounded education and awareness as a citizen.
Understanding the evolution of voting rights helps appreciate the democratic principles that govern the country.
Knowing key constitutional amendments is crucial for various competitive examinations, including those for government nursing positions.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Amendment', 'Indian Constitution', 'voting age reduced', '21 to 18 years'.
This is a factual recall question from Indian Polity/Civics.
Access your memory regarding major constitutional amendments. The lowering of the voting age was a significant event.
Evaluate each option. The 61st Amendment is famously associated with this change.
If unsure, try to eliminate other options if you know what they relate to (e.g., reservations, taxes, emergency provisions).
Confirm that the 61st Amendment indeed corresponds to the reduction of the voting age to select the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Indian Constitutional Amendments and Voting Rights
Stem keywords: Amendment, Indian Constitution, age for voting, 21 years to 18 years
Lead-in keywords: By which

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