On December 20, 1988, India's Rajya Sabha passed the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 and marking a significant expansion of democratic participation in the world's largest democracy. The amendment, introduced under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's government, amended Article 326 of the Constitution and came into effect on March 28, 1989, empowering millions of younger citizens to vote in elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies.

This reform built on India's foundational commitment to universal adult suffrage, enshrined in the Constitution from 1950, which granted voting rights to all adults regardless of gender, caste, education, or wealth—a bold departure from colonial-era restrictions where only 3-13% of Indians could vote based on property and income qualifications. By reducing the age threshold, the amendment acknowledged the growing political maturity of youth in a nation with a large young population, aligning India with global standards where countries like Britain, the United States, and others had settled on 18 as the voting age.

Article 326 specifies that elections are based on adult suffrage, entitling every citizen aged 18 or above—who is not disqualified due to non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime, or corrupt practices—to register and vote. The change reversed a lingering colonial legacy, reflecting evolving social realities where young Indians were increasingly engaged in education, work, and public issues.

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India's early adoption of universal suffrage in 1950-52, with nearly 173 million registered voters in the first general elections, placed it ahead of many established democracies in granting full rights, including to women. The 1988 amendment further strengthened this inclusive framework, ensuring democracy evolves to encompass the nation's youthful demographic and uphold the principle of one person, one vote.

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