Delimitation, the 2027 Census and the Women's Reservation Puzzle
What is Delimitation?
Delimitation is the redrawing of boundaries and reallocation of seats of Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituencies to reflect population change. Article 82 mandates readjustment after every Census through a Delimitation Commission established by Parliament; Article 170 does the same for State Assemblies. Commissions were set up in 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002.
- The 42nd Amendment (1976) froze the inter-State allocation of seats at the 1971 Census until after 2000.
- The 84th Amendment (2001) extended the freeze to the first Census after 2026, while permitting boundary redrawal within States on 2001 data.
- The 87th Amendment (2003) shifted the base for intra-State delimitation to the 2001 Census.
The Federal Anxiety
Population growth has diverged sharply since 1971. A pure population-based reallocation could give Uttar Pradesh and Bihar dozens of additional seats while Kerala and Tamil Nadu — which met replacement-level fertility decades ago — would lose relative weight. Southern States argue this penalises success in human development and threatens the federal bargain.
- Options under debate: expand the Lok Sabha so no State loses seats in absolute terms; weight seats partly by area or fiscal contribution; or extend the freeze.
- Reservations for SCs and STs (Articles 330 and 332) must be recalculated alongside.
- The new Parliament building has capacity for 888 Lok Sabha members — widely read as anticipating expansion.
Linking Women's Reservation
The 106th Amendment makes women's reservation operative only after the next delimitation. Critics argue the contingency defers a reform already delayed since the 1996 Bill. Supporters say rotation and reservation cannot be applied to constituencies that may cease to exist after boundaries are redrawn.
Test Yourself
2 graded questions · Prelims format
With reference to delimitation of constituencies in India, consider the following statements:
- 1.The 84th Constitutional Amendment froze the allocation of Lok Sabha seats among States until the first Census after 2026.
- 2.Orders of the Delimitation Commission can be challenged before the Supreme Court.
- 3.The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam inserted Article 330A into the Constitution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Previous Year Questions on this topic
'The Constitution of India is a living instrument with capabilities of enormous dynamism. It is a constitution made for a progressive society.' Illustrate with special reference to the expanding horizons of the right to life and personal liberty.
Which of the following is/are the exclusive power(s) of Lok Sabha?
- 1.To ratify the declaration of Emergency
- 2.To pass a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers
- 3.To impeach the President of India
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