The maximum strength of Lok Sabha as fixed by the Constitution is:

Explanation

Article 81 of the Constitution, as cited in the official Legislative Department text, says the House of the People shall consist of not more than 530 members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the States and not more than 20 members representing the Union territories. That gives a constitutional ceiling of 550 seats under Article 81. After the 104th Amendment Act, 2020, the earlier provision for nominating up to two Anglo-Indian members no longer increases the Lok Sabha ceiling. Hence the old combined figure of 552 is no longer the operative maximum.

Why the other options are wrong

• (B) 530 counts only the maximum number of members chosen from the States, so it leaves out the separate ceiling of 20 Union territory members under Article 81.
• (C) 552 reflects the earlier combined ceiling when up to two Anglo-Indian members could be nominated, but this provision ended after the 104th Amendment.
• (D) 545 is not the sum fixed by Article 81, which provides for up to 530 State members plus up to 20 Union territory members.

Concept

Article 81 and the composition of Parliament form a standard Indian Polity area in RAS prelims. Aspirants often confuse the Article 81 ceiling with the pre-104th Amendment Anglo-Indian nomination provision.

Source

• Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India

Related questions

• A bill to amend the Constitution can be introduced:
• A bill under Article 3 for the formation of a new State requires:
• A CAG audit of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) revealed that what percentage of beneficiaries had blank, zero, Null or N/A bank-account details?
• A Financial Emergency under Article 360 must be approved by Parliament within:
• A joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament can be summoned under which Article?
• A joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament under Article 108 can be called to resolve a deadlock on: