Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to Be on the Basis of Adult Suffrage
The elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assembly of every State shall be on the basis of adult suffrage; that is to say, every person who is a citizen of India and who is not less than eighteen years of age on such date as may be fixed in that behalf by or under any law made by the appropriate Legislature and is not otherwise disqualified under this Constitution or any law made by the appropriate Legislature on the ground of non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter at any such election.
What this Article actually means
How it shows up in everyday life
This is genuinely one of the most consequential Articles in the entire Constitution for ordinary citizens — India adopted full universal adult suffrage from its very first election in 1951-52, a remarkably bold and early democratic choice compared to many other nations at similar stages of development.
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Quick answers about Article 326
Was the voting age always 18?
What can disqualify someone from voting?
The text above reproduces Article 326 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.