---
title: "Tenth Schedule: India's Anti-Defection Law | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Tenth Schedule disqualifies Indian legislators who defect from their party, ensuring political stability and party loyalty in governance."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/tenth-schedule-anti-defection"
---

[New](https://modeldiplomat.com/)

#

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution disqualifies legislators who defect from their party by voluntarily giving up membership or defying the party whip.
- What are the grounds for disqualification under the Tenth Schedule?
- Did the 91st Amendment change the anti-defection law?
- Can a Speaker's decision under the Tenth Schedule be challenged in court?
- How does the merger exception work?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Go beyond the definition

## Research Tenth Schedule — Anti-Defection Law like a delegate

Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students.

## Research it like a delegate

Research on modeldiplomat.com

## Ask a follow-up about Tenth Schedule — Anti-Defection Law

Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.

[Start research on Tenth Schedule — Anti-Defection Law](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20Tenth%20Schedule%20%E2%80%94%20Anti-Defection%20Law%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources)

Example

In July 2019, Karnataka Speaker K. R. Ramesh Kumar disqualified seventeen Congress and JD(S) MLAs under the Tenth Schedule after their resignations led to the fall of the Kumaraswamy government.

Keep learning

## Go deeper than the definition

[Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services)

## Take Tenth Schedule — Anti-Defection Law beyond the glossary

Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.