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

The number of graduate MLAs seems to be on the rise in the Kerala Assembly.

Over 60% of MLAs in the 15th^{Assembly were graduates. Of them, 14 were postgraduates and four had doctorate degrees. In the 14thAssembly, 77 elected representatives were graduates, according to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a poll rights body that analysed the election affidavits of 132 MLAs in 2016 and 2021.}

The number of graduate MLAs went up from 21 in 2016 to 39 in 2021. The 14th^{Assembly had a higher number of postgraduates (22) compared to 14 members in the 15thAssembly. In 2011, there were 32 graduates and 13 postgraduates as elected representatives. As many as 48 MLAs in 2021 had declared their educational qualifications between Class 5 and Class 12. The corresponding figure in 2016 was 54, accounting for over 41% of the total number of MLAs.}

“The increase in the number of graduates and postgraduates in the Kerala Assembly indicated the overall trend in society where pursuing higher education is accorded top priority. The increase in the number of graduate MLAs is a natural reflection of this change,” said J. Prabhash, political analyst and former Pro Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University.

He added that the number of graduate MLAs was less in 1970s and 1980s as the main focus of political leaders was mostly on mobilisation of cadres and holding agitations to press various demands. As a result, most of them had to leave their studies midway to pursue a political career, he said.

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

G. Gopa Kumar, political analyst and former Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Kerala, said educational qualifications had become an additional favourable point for candidates, in addition to their links at the grassroots-level. Voters appreciate persons with better communication skills and wider knowledge in various areas, especially in an age of social media, he said.