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Centre Moots Inter-State Redistribution of Lok Sabha Seats Based on 2011 Census

The Union Government has introduced the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, proposing a historic expansion of the Lok Sabha. The legislation seeks to increase the House strength to 850 seats (up to 815 for States and 35 for Union Territories) to ensure that the implementation of 33% women’s reservation does not reduce the number of seats available for general candidates

Why in News

  • The Centre circulated drafts of the Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill to be considered in a reconvened Budget Session.
  • The Bills propose raising the Lok Sabha strength to 850 seats (815 for States, 35 for UTs).
  • Key change: Lifting the 1976 freeze on seat allocation and using the 2011 Census as the base for inter-state redistribution.
  • Objective: Expedite 33% women’s reservation for the 2029 polls by bypassing the 2026/post-Census timeline.

Impact

  • Economic: [NOT RELEVANT]
  • Social: Potential political marginalization of women if reservation is perceived as a “facade” for seat redistribution.
  • Policy: Shift in political power from the South (share falls from 24.3% to 20.7%) to the Hindi Heartland (share rises from 38.1% to 43.1%).
  • Ecological: [NOT RELEVANT]

GS Paper Focus

GS-2 — Governance: Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure; Indian Constitution-amendments.

Policies & Schemes

1. Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill, 2026.

2. Delimitation Bill, 2026.

3. Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (106th Amendment, 2023).

System-level Insight

The proposed 131st Amendment reveals the “Demographic Penalty” mechanism in Indian federalism. By shifting from the 1971 population benchmark to 2011, the system effectively punishes states that achieved national population control goals with reduced parliamentary representation, potentially turning administrative success into political shrinkage.

Interview Angle

Does the use of ‘women’s reservation‘ as a legislative vehicle for delimitation undermine the federal compact between the Union and the Southern States? Evaluate the ‘Hybrid Model‘ of seat allocation based on GSDP as an alternative.

Vocabulary

1. Backdoor delimitation — redistributing seats indirectly or without transparency — Intermediate

2. Pro rata formula — proportional distribution — Intermediate

3. Facade — a deceptive outward appearance — Basic

4. Bulldoze — force through a measure without consultation — Intermediate

5. Freeze — a legal suspension or fixed state — Basic