Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Number of graduate MLAs on the rise in Kerala Assembly

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The fig of postgraduate MLAs seems to beryllium connected the emergence successful the Kerala Assembly.

Over 60% of MLAs successful the 15thAssembly were graduates. Of them, 14 were postgraduates and 4 had doctorate degrees. In the 14thAssembly, 77 elected representatives were graduates, according to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a canvass rights assemblage that analysed the predetermination affidavits of 132 MLAs successful 2016 and 2021.

The fig of postgraduate MLAs went up from 21 successful 2016 to 39 successful 2021. The 14thAssembly had a higher fig of postgraduates (22) compared to 14 members successful the 15thAssembly. In 2011, determination were 32 graduates and 13 postgraduates arsenic elected representatives. As galore arsenic 48 MLAs successful 2021 had declared their acquisition qualifications betwixt Class 5 and Class 12. The corresponding fig successful 2016 was 54, accounting for implicit 41% of the full fig of MLAs.

“The summation successful the fig of graduates and postgraduates successful the Kerala Assembly indicated the wide inclination successful nine wherever pursuing higher acquisition is accorded apical priority. The summation successful the fig of postgraduate MLAs is simply a earthy reflection of this change,” said J. Prabhash, governmental expert and erstwhile Pro Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University.

He added that the fig of postgraduate MLAs was little successful 1970s and 1980s arsenic the main absorption of governmental leaders was mostly connected mobilisation of cadres and holding agitations to property assorted demands. As a result, astir of them had to permission their studies midway to prosecute a governmental career, helium said.

Data disposable with the Kerala Legislature Secretariat showed that the size of under-matriculates had shrunk considerably implicit the decades. It came down to 4% successful 2016 from 36% successful the 1970s, and 22% successful the consequent decade.

G. Gopa Kumar, governmental expert and erstwhile Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Kerala, said acquisition qualifications had go an further favourable constituent for candidates, successful summation to their links astatine the grassroots-level. Voters admit persons with amended connection skills and wider cognition successful assorted areas, particularly successful an property of societal media, helium said.

Published - March 20, 2026 09:02 p.m. IST

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