In India, what was the adult voting age between the years 1950 and 1987, before it was lowered by the 61st Constitutional Amendment?

Introduction / Context:
The right to vote is a central element of any democracy. In India, the age at which citizens gain the right to vote has not always been the same. This question tests knowledge of the historical adult franchise age before it was reduced by a key constitutional amendment. Knowing this helps students understand how the Indian democratic system has expanded participation over time.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The time period in question is from 1950 to 1987.
• The 61st Constitutional Amendment later changed the voting age.
• We are looking for the adult voting age before this amendment.
• The options list 16, 18, 21, 24, and 25 years.

Concept / Approach:
When the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950, it granted universal adult franchise to citizens who had attained the age of 21. This age applied for several decades. The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, which came into force in 1988, reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years. Therefore, throughout the period 1950 to 1987, the voting age remained 21. To answer correctly, we link the historical timeline of amendments with the age mentioned in the original Constitution.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that universal adult franchise was introduced in 1950 at a particular age threshold. Step 2: Remember that the 61st Amendment reduced the age from 21 to 18 years. Step 3: Note that the period 1950 to 1987 is before this amendment took effect. Step 4: Conclude that during that period, the adult voting age was 21 years.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard polity references and NCERT textbooks confirm that originally voters had to be at least 21 years old. The Statement of Objects and Reasons for the 61st Amendment specifically mentions that the voting age would be lowered from 21 to 18 to involve youth more actively in political processes. This confirms that the correct historical age for the period in question is 21 years, not 18 or any other figure.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
18 years: This became the voting age only after the 61st Amendment, not between 1950 and 1987. 16, 24, and 25 years: These ages have never been the standard voting ages in the Indian Constitution. They may appear in other legal contexts, such as age of majority or eligibility for certain offices, but they are not linked with the right to vote in Indian national and state elections.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to project present conditions backwards and assume that 18 years has always been the voting age. Another pitfall is confusion between the age for voting and the age for contesting elections, which is usually higher. For example, the minimum age to contest for the Lok Sabha is 25 years. Keeping these distinctions clear is essential for answering polity questions accurately.

Final Answer:
21 years