Overview
The Union Government has moved the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill together with a Delimitation Bill. The proposals aim to raise the strength of the Lok Sabha to a maximum of 850 seats, allocate those seats based on the 2011 Census, and reserve one‑third of the seats for women.
Key Developments
- Increase Lok Sabha strength by 50% (from 543 to up to 850 seats).
- Seat allocation to states to be based on the 2011 Census, not the post‑2026 Census.
- Introduce a women’s reservation of one‑third of the total seats.
- Redraw constituency boundaries within each state through a fresh delimitation exercise.
Important Facts
The existing proportional distribution of seats among states is enshrined in Articles 81 and 82. These articles contain a sunset clause that activates after the first Census following 2026. The April bills sought to replace references to the 1971 and 2001 Censuses with the “latest Census”, effectively ending the freeze that began in 2001.
Historically, the seat‑allocation freeze has been extended for 25‑year periods: 1976‑2001 and 2001‑2026. Extending it beyond 2026 would require amending the constitutional text to refer to a later Census, such as the one after 2051.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the interplay of constitutional provisions, demographic data, and electoral reforms is essential for GS2 (Polity) and GS3 (Economy). Questions may focus on the rationale behind seat‑allocation freezes, the impact of delimitation on representation, and the constitutional process for amendment (requiring a two‑thirds majority). The proposal also touches on gender equity, a recurring theme in GS4 (Ethics) and social justice debates.
Way Forward
For the government to honour its promise of maintaining the current state‑wise proportion, it must either extend the freeze beyond 2026 or retain the 1971 Census reference while updating the constituency‑level reference to the 2011 Census. Any amendment will need broad political consensus to achieve the required super‑majority in the Lok Sabha.