Representation of the People Act, 1951 · Chapter III: General Procedure At Elections
Section 55: Eligibility of members of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes to hold seats not reserved for those castes or tribes
For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that a member of the Scheduled Castes or of the Scheduled Tribes shall not be disqualified to hold a seat not reserved for members of those castes or tribes, if he is otherwise qualified to hold such seats under the Constitution and this Act [or under the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 (20 of 1963), as the case may be].
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 16 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 55
No Supreme Court judgment in our database cites this section yet.