The Constitution of India
Article 333
Representation of the Anglo-Indian community in the Legislative Assemblies of the States
Notwithstanding anything in article 170, the Governor of a State may, if he is of opinion that the Anglo-Indian community needs representation in the Legislative Assembly of the State and is not adequately represented therein, nominate one member of that community to the Assembly.
Why this exists
At Independence, the Anglo-Indian community—people of mixed British and Indian ancestry—was a small minority without a strong voting base to win elected seats on its own. The Constitution's framers, wanting to ensure such communities weren't left voiceless in politics, allowed Governors to nominate one Anglo-Indian member to each State Assembly (and, under a related Article, to the Lok Sabha) if needed. This was meant to be a temporary safeguard, not a permanent feature, tied to periodic extensions of reserved seats for the community.
Common misconceptions
- Myth: Article 333 still allows Governors to nominate Anglo-Indian members today.
Fact: The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 (effective January 25, 2020) omitted this provision, ending such nominations in State Assemblies and Parliament. - Myth: The Governor could nominate an Anglo-Indian member whenever he wished, without any condition.
Fact: The nomination required the Governor to specifically form an opinion that the community needed representation and was not adequately represented already.