Under part XVI, Article 336 of Indian Constitution is a transitional provision incorporated to protect the interests of the Anglo-Indian community in post-independence India. The community played a crucial role in the British administration, particularly in services like railways, customs, postal, and telegraph departments. Recognizing their contributions, the Constitution offered temporary reservation in these sectors.

The primary objective of Article 336 was to provide this community a fair chance to adjust to the administrative and institutional shifts of a newly independent nation. The reservation granted was not permanent—it was to be systematically reduced over ten years.

This approach reflected India’s commitment to affirmative action with a focus on gradual integration . 336 Article ensured that while historical context was respected, the broader vision of equal opportunity and merit was upheld . Through this provision the framers showed foresight in safeguarding minority rights without compromising long-term national integrity . Explore in-depth analysis of other Constitutional Articles.

Article 336 of Indian Constitution

Special provision for Anglo-Indian community in certain services

(1)During the first two years after the commencement of this Constitution, appointments of members of the Anglo-Indian community to posts in the railway, customs, postal and telegraph services of the Union shall be made on the same basis as immediately before the fifteenth day of August, 1947.

During every succeeding period of two years, the number of posts reserved for the members of the said community in the said services shall, as nearly as possible, be less by ten per cent than the numbers so reserved during the immediately preceding period of two years:

Provided that at the end of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution all such reservations shall cease.

(2)Nothing in clause (1) shall bar the appointment of members of the Anglo-Indian community to posts other than, or in addition to, those reserved for the community under that clause if such members are found qualified for appointment on merit as compared with the members of other communities.

Note: "The information provided above has been sourced from the official website, i.e., Indian Code. While the content has been presented here for reference, no modifications have been made to the original laws and orders" 

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 Article 336 of the Indian Constitution provides special provisions for the Anglo-Indian community in certain Union services. It guarantees a reserved quota for this community in sectors such as railways, customs, postal, and telegraph departments for a limited period following the adoption of the Constitution.

Here's a clearer breakdown:

• Initial Reservation: During the first two years after the Constitution's commencement, appointments in the specified services were to follow the same system as before August 15, 1947. This ensured continuity and a level of reservation for the Anglo-Indian community.
• Gradual Reduction: In every two-year period after that, the reserved posts were to be reduced by around 10% compared to the previous period.
• End of Reservation: After ten years from the Constitution’s enforcement, all such reservations were to be discontinued.

Even during the reservation phase, art 336 allowed Anglo-Indians to apply for unreserved posts based on merit. This dual approach preserved their representation while promoting meritocracy.

Many people ask, is Article 336 repealed? While it hasn’t been formally repealed, it is no longer in force, as its provisions expired after the ten-year mark. Still, Article 336 of Constitution of India remains an influential model in constitutional history.

Article 336 of Indian Constitution Landmark Cases

There are no landmark judgments of the Supreme Court that specifically interpret or apply Article 336 of the Indian Constitution. This article was a transitional provision aimed at providing temporary reservations for the Anglo-Indian community in certain Union services, and it ceased to have effect after ten years from the commencement of the Constitution .

However the principles underlying Article 336 such as time-bound affirmative action and the balance between representation and meritocracy have been reflected in various landmark cases concerning reservation policies in India . These cases while not directly related to Article 336, provide context to the broader constitutional approach to reservations :

1 . Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992)

This case defined the scope and limits of reservations and emphasized a balance between social justice and administrative efficiency . It mirrors the intention behind Article 336 of Indian Constitution .

2. State of Kerala v. N.M. Thomas (1976)

The Court upheld time-sensitive and need-based affirmative actions, aligning with the time-bound structure of Article 336 of Constitution of India.

3. M.R. Balaji v. State of Mysore (1963)

The judgment laid down that excessive reservations could be unconstitutional, reinforcing the rationale behind limiting art 336 to ten years.

4. Lily Thomas v. Union of India (2000)

This case of Lily Thomas reaffirmed that merit must remain central to appointments, a theme also found in the merit-based flexibility provided under Article 336 of Constitution.

The significance of Article 336 of Indian Constitution lies in its ability to create a fair transitional mechanism without compromising the vision of merit-based administration . It was a targeted community-specific measure that recognized the contributions of the Anglo-Indian population without establishing a permanent system of quotas .

By including a built-in timeline and gradual reduction of reservations, Article 336 of Constitution of India ensured that support did not turn into dependence . The clause worked within a clear constitutional framework—acknowledging historical roles while encouraging integration through diminishing reservations .

This model of time-limited affirmative action has served as a blueprint for evaluating modern-day policies . Art 336 proves that it is possible to uphold both equity and efficiency through thoughtful legislative design.

In a diverse democracy like India, such provisions show how minority interests can be protected without disturbing institutional integrity. The vision behind 336 article continues to inspire discussions on policy and representation in the civil services and beyond.

Article 336 of Indian Constitution Developments and Amendments 

Since its introduction, there have been no formal amendments to Article 336 of Indian Constitution. That’s because the article was structured with a built-in expiry—it automatically ceased to operate ten years after the Constitution came into effect.

This raises a frequently asked question: is Article 336 repealed? Technically, it has not been repealed but has become obsolete in practice. It remains in the constitutional text as a historical provision but has no present-day operational effect.

Despite this Article 336 of Constitution has had a long-lasting policy impact. It established that temporary affirmative action is both feasible and effective when well-structured . Future provisions concerning community-based reservations have often referenced art 336 for its clarity, balance, and non-permanent nature .

Additionally, Articles 331 and 333 which also addressed Anglo-Indian representation in Parliament and State Assemblies followed a similar path and were ultimately discontinued.

So, while no modifications have occurred, the principles set by 336 article have resonated in both legal thought and administrative policy. Its framework continues to be viewed as a model for transitioning communities towards a merit-based, inclusive future.

Conclusion 

In conclusion Article 336 of Indian Constitution serves as a profound example of transitional justice and balanced representation. It honored the past contributions of the Anglo-Indian community while setting a clear roadmap for future integration into the Indian civil service structure.

By providing temporary reservation in critical sectors such as the railways and postal services, Article 336 of Constitution of India helped prevent sudden marginalization during a turbulent political shift . At the same time, it enforced a gradual return to meritocracy—ensuring that opportunity and efficiency were not mutually exclusive .

As a constitutional provision, art 336 reflected India’s dedication to inclusive growth and legal clarity . It was clear in purpose, limited in duration, and successful in impact . While the Anglo-Indian community no longer enjoys special quotas under this article the legacy of 336 article endures in debates surrounding reservation reform and constitutional planning.

So, is Article 336 repealed? Not officially—but it no longer applies today. However, the values it espoused remain highly relevant. As India continues to evolve its social justice mechanisms, the foundational lessons from Article 336 of the Indian Constitution still guide the path forward.