The 17th Lok Sabha was constituted after the 2019 Indian general elections, which were held from April 11 to May 19, 2019. The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha began on June 17, 2019.
The average age of its elected Members of Parliament (MPs) is approximately 54 years, making it the oldest Lok Sabha in terms of the average age of its members in Indian parliamentary history.
This increase in the average age reflects the maturity and experience of the current set of MPs. Many of them have served in earlier terms, while others have been part of various political roles in state assemblies or as ministers.
The 17th Lok Sabha has 545 seats, with members elected from different states and union territories.
It includes a mix of newcomers and veteran politicians. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the largest party with 303 seats, followed by the Indian National Congress (INC) with 52 seats.
The representation of women MPs in the 17th Lok Sabha remains relatively low, with only 14 women MPs (about 2.6% of the total seats).
Several well-known politicians and veterans of Indian politics returned to the Lok Sabha in 2019, including Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Sushma Swaraj (until her passing in 2019), and Rahul Gandhi.
The average age of MPs reflects the continued dominance of experienced leaders, with many holding leadership positions in the government, opposition, or important parliamentary committees.
The high average age of the 17th Lok Sabha contrasts with earlier periods when the Indian Parliament had younger representatives, such as in the 1950s and 1960s when many independence-era leaders and their younger successors served in the legislature. The trend in recent years has shifted towards more experienced politicians holding the reins, which may influence the nature of debates, policymaking, and governance.
The rising average age also reflects the maturation of Indian politics, as many of these senior MPs bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table.
However, the increasing age of parliamentarians has raised questions about youth representation in legislative bodies and the need for greater involvement of younger leaders in shaping India’s future.
