{"id":13646,"date":"2026-06-17T17:26:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T11:56:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/?p=13646"},"modified":"2026-06-19T15:24:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T09:54:29","slug":"tenth-anti-defection-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/tenth-anti-defection-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Tenth Schedule Explained: Party Merger Rules Under the Anti-Defection Law"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Anti-Defection Law: The Tenth Schedule Explained article offers a comprehensive perspective on the anti-defection provisions of the Constitution and the regulations related to the amalgamation of political parties in India. The Tenth Schedule, added to the Constitution by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985, has been included to prevent political defections and provide stability in the elected governments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Over the years, the anti-defection law has played a crucial role in maintaining party discipline. But it has also stimulated discussions of the effect on legislative independence and presiding officers&#8217; powers. The use of the provisions concerning mergers of parties should be understood, since they are frequently key to a government&#8217;s success at both the federal and state levels.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Important Points To Remember About Tenth Schedule<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Tenth Schedule was inserted in the Constitution by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It has provisions about the anti-defection law.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The purpose of the law is to stop elected representatives from switching parties for personal or political gain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Disqualification cases are decided by the Speaker or Chairman.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A merger is valid when two-thirds of a party in the legislature agree.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In 2003, the exemption for splits was removed by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Speaker&#8217;s decision is, however, subject to judicial review.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tenth Schedule Explained: Overview Table<\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Particulars<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Details<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Constitutional Provision<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tenth Schedule<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Added By<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Popular Name<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anti-Defection Law<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Amendment Strengthening the Law<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Objective<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Prevent political defections<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Decision-Making Authority<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Speaker of Lok Sabha\/Legislative Assembly or Chairman of Rajya Sabha\/Legislative Council<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Merger Requirement<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Support of at least two-thirds of legislators<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Judicial Review<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Permitted by courts<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Applies To<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Members of Parliament and State Legislatures<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What Is the Tenth Schedule?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The section and Tenth Schedule Explained starts from the Constitutional foundation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Constitution was amended to insert the Tenth Schedule in a bid to deter legislators from changing political parties after elections. Constant floor crossing had caused political regimes to wobble and citizens to lose faith in democracy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Final Version: The anti-defection law is a detailed provision that applies to Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of State Legislatures (MLAs and MLCs).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The legislators under this act will be disqualified from their membership if they leave the membership of their political party or vote contrary to the vote cast by him\/her against a party whip without permission<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Why Was the Anti-Defection Law Introduced?<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Before 1985, India experienced regular political desertion, disturbing vote-based solidarity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Personal gain also means ministerial posts and power: individual legislators frequently switched allegiance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This trend of constant party switching was summed up in the phrase \u201cAaya Ram Gaya Ram.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These fickle choices induced shaky governments and the persistent crumbling of country assemblies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Opportunistic coalition-building trumped loyalty to any politics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In response to this, Parliament enacted the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law) by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1985).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It was meant to help foster political stability and strengthen party discipline.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One of the main things that law prohibits is corruption, horse-trading and immoral political bargaining.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It preserves the mandate entrusted to it by voters and sustains a parliamentary democracy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PYQs Table: Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law)<\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Year<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Exam<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Question<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Options<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Answer<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2023<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Who decides disqualification under the Tenth Schedule?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) President (b) PM (c) Speaker\/Chairman (d) EC<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) Speaker\/Chairman<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2022<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Valid merger condition under the Tenth Schedule?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) 1\/2 members (b) 1\/3 members (c) 2\/3 members (d) Unanimous<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) 2\/3 members<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Speaker\u2019s decision on disqualification can be:<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) Final (b) Challenged in SC (c) Approved by President (d) EC review<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(b) Challenged in SC<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2020<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Main objective of Anti-Defection Law?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) Coalition growth (b) Independence (c) Stability &amp; discipline (d) More parties<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) Stability &amp; discipline<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2019<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which amendment removed the split provision?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) 42nd (b) 52nd (c) 91st (d) 97th<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) 91st Amendment<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2018<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">State PCS<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Disqualification happens when?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) Follows whip (b) Votes with party (c) Voluntarily gives up party (d) Takes permission<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) Voluntarily gives up party<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13700\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13700\" style=\"width: 598px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-13700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-Jun-19-2026-03_17_52-PM-300x169.png\" alt=\"Anti-Defection\" width=\"598\" height=\"337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-Jun-19-2026-03_17_52-PM-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-Jun-19-2026-03_17_52-PM-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-Jun-19-2026-03_17_52-PM-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-Jun-19-2026-03_17_52-PM-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-Jun-19-2026-03_17_52-PM.png 1672w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13700\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Anti-Defection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/india-and-slovakia-partnership\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">India and Slovakia Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Partnership<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Landmark Judgments on the Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu (1992)<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Tenth Schedule has also been held to be constitutionally valid by the Supreme Court, and the need for the Anti-Defection Law as a check against political perversion is imperative for maintaining stability in India and party discipline. The Court also clarified that the Speaker has no final authority over it and is subject to judicial review by the High Courts and the Supreme Court in case of mala-fide, bias or violation of procedure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Swami Prasad Maurya v. Rajendra Singh Rana (2007)<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In its judgment, the Supreme Court stated that a Speaker acts as a quasi-judicial authority under the Tenth Schedule, which should not be influenced by pre-determined conclusions and work with complete neutrality. The Court held that matters relating to defection should be determined only by reference to constitutional principles to resist political pressure and ensure neutrality between the parties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Keisham Meghachandra Singh v. Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly (2020)<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Supreme Court tackled the issue of procrastination in disqualification cases. The move pointed out that this kind of delay defeats the very purpose for which an Anti-Defection Law has been enacted. For this reason, Speakers are to decide on defection petitions within a reasonably rational time-frame (preferably three months).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conclusion: Tenth Schedule Anti-Defection Law Explained<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Anti-Defection Law was incorporated in the national constitution under the Tenth Schedule for not only political stability but also due to ethical concerns of compartmentalising vote banks. It deters self-interested behaviour and frees up representatives to toe the party line. The law enforces the will of the voters, ensuring that legislators remain true to their political party or risk disqualification. In the long run, it has been better defined by the judgment of the Supreme Court through judicial review, impartiality of the Speaker and decisions in a timely manner. In a nutshell, the Tenth Schedule performs an important function in ensuring stability and integrity of India\u2019s parliamentary system.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"cfaq-wrapper\" data-multiple=\"0\"><div class=\"cfaq-item cfaq-open\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"true\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">1. What is the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\"><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">The Tenth Schedule contains provisions related to the anti-defection law and seeks to prevent elected representatives from changing political parties.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">2. When was the Tenth Schedule introduced?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">The Tenth Schedule was introduced through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">3. What is the two-thirds rule under the anti-defection law?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">A party merger is considered valid when at least two-thirds of the members of a legislative party agree to the merger.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">4. Who decides disqualification cases under the Tenth Schedule?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">The Speaker or Chairman of the concerned House decides disqualification petitions.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">5. Can the Speaker&#039;s decision be challenged in court?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">Yes. The Supreme Court has held that the Speaker's decision is subject to judicial review.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Anti-Defection Law: The Tenth Schedule Explained article offers a comprehensive perspective on the anti-defection provisions of the Constitution and the regulations related to the amalgamation of political parties in India. The Tenth Schedule, added to the Constitution by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985, has been included to prevent political defections and provide stability in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13647,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-polity"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13646","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13646"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13646\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13702,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13646\/revisions\/13702"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}