Why in the News
The first delimitation after the 2027 Census could alter the distribution of Lok Sabha seats among States, raising concerns over political representation and federal balance.
What is Delimitation?
- Definition: Readjustment of the number and boundaries of constituencies based on population.
- Constitutional basis: Article 82 provides for readjustment after each Census; Article 81 deals with Lok Sabha composition.
- Authority: Conducted by an independent Delimitation Commission constituted by Parliament.
Why is it Contested?
- Seat freeze: Inter-state allocation has been frozen using the 1971 Census until the first Census after 2026.
- North-South divide: Population-control States fear reduced political representation relative to high-growth States.
- Federalism: Unequal demographic growth creates tension between population-based representation and federal balance.
- Lok Sabha size: Any major increase in seats raises questions about Parliament’s size and effective representation.
Value Addition
- Delimitation Commission: Its orders have the force of law and generally cannot be challenged in court.
- Key challenge: Achieving “one person, one vote” without penalising States that successfully controlled population growth.
“[2024] How many Delimitation Commissions have been constituted by the Government of India till December 2023?
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Four.