Delimitation Debate: Representation, Population, and Federal Challenges

Why in the News?

The delimitation exercise, scheduled after 2026, has sparked debates, especially among southern states, fearing a loss of political representation due to population-based seat allocation. Home Minister Amit Shah assured that no state would lose seats, raising further discussions.

Delimitation Debate: Representation, Population, and Federal Challenges

Key Issues and Concerns:

  • Uneven population growth across states has led to demographic imbalances—northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan have witnessed higher population growth than southern states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
  • Two proposed scenarios:
    • Redistribute the existing 543 seats among states.
    • Increase the number of seats to 848, ensuring representation based on population.
  • Home Minister Amit Shah assured that no state would lose seats, and the increase would be proportional. However, the basis of distribution remains unclear.
  • Southern states and smaller northern states may lose political significance if seats are allocated based on projected population, raising concerns about federalism.

Possible Solutions and Way Forward

  • Capping Lok Sabha seats at 543 can maintain balanced representation while increasing the number of MLAs in states based on population projections.
  • The U.S. follows a similar model, capping its House of Representatives at 435 seats since 1913.
  • Ensuring fair political representation for southern and smaller states is crucial to maintain federal balance.
  • Political leaders from smaller and southern states should advocate for status quo in Lok Sabha seats to protect their political influence.

Delimitation: Key Points

About Delimitation

  • Process of fixing seats and boundaries of territorial constituencies for Lok Sabha & State Assemblies.
  • Determines reserved seats for SCs/STs.
  • Conducted by Delimitation Commission under a Parliamentary Act (1952, 1963, 1973, 2002).

History & Constitutional Provisions

  • Last delimitation (state-wise seat changes) was in 1976 (based on 1971 Census).
  • 42nd Amendment (1976) froze seat allocation till 2000; later extended.
  • 84th & 87th Amendments allowed territorial readjustment (1991 & 2001 Census).
  • Article 82 & 170: Parliament enacts delimitation after every Census.

International Practices

  • US: Fixed 435 seats; redistributed after each Census using equal proportion method.
  • EU: Uses degressive proportionality (smaller countries get higher representation per capita).

Delimitation Commission

  • Appointed by President, includes SC Judge, CEC, State ECs.
  • Decides constituency boundaries & reserved seats.
  • Orders have legal force, not challengeable in court.
  • The next delimitation will be conducted after the first Census post-2026.