Under the system of universal adult franchise in India, citizens of what minimum age are eligible to vote regardless of social or economic background?

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your understanding of universal adult franchise in India, which is a fundamental feature of the democratic system. It concerns the minimum age at which Indian citizens, irrespective of gender, caste, religion or economic status, gain the right to vote in elections to representative bodies.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The context is the Indian electoral system and the concept of universal adult franchise.
• The focus is on the minimum eligible age for voting, not for contesting elections.
• The options provide four different age thresholds: 16, 17, 18 and 21 years.

Concept / Approach:
Originally, the minimum voting age in India was 21 years, as provided by the Constitution. However, the Sixty First Constitutional Amendment Act reduced this age from 21 to 18 years for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. Universal adult franchise means that every adult citizen who has attained this minimum age and is not otherwise disqualified has the right to vote, regardless of social or economic background. Therefore, the current minimum age for voting is 18 years.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that India follows universal adult franchise and that the voting age was changed by a constitutional amendment.Step 2: Remember that the Sixty First Amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years to widen participation in the democratic process.Step 3: Compare this with the options and see that option C, 18 years and above, matches the present rule.Step 4: Eliminate the other ages as incorrect, because they either reflect an outdated provision or a value never adopted in India.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by thinking about the basic eligibility when people receive their voter identity card. In practice and in official forms, 18 years is consistently mentioned as the minimum age for voter registration. This everyday fact confirms the constitutional provision and helps you confidently select option C.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Sixteen years is below the adult voting age and is not recognised as the threshold for universal adult franchise in India.Option B: Seventeen years is also below the constitutionally prescribed age and has never been used as the official voting age.Option D: Twenty one years was the original voting age but this has been changed; it is now outdated and therefore incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates confuse the minimum age for voting with the minimum age for contesting elections, which is higher. Another mistake is to remember the original age of 21 years and forget that the Constitution was amended. Regular revision of important constitutional amendments, especially those affecting fundamental democratic rights, helps to avoid such errors in examinations.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: 18 years and above