Delimitation of Lok Sabha Seats β The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution urging the Centre to permanently freeze the number of Lok Sabha seats at 543. This raises important questions about delimitation, Article 81(2), and the balance of representation between States. Here is everything you need to know for UPSC 2026.
Why in News: Delimitation of Lok Sabha Seats
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution urging the Centre to permanently freeze the number of Lok Sabha seats at the existing number of 543 and maintain the present State-wise distribution of those seats. It also advocated the preservation of the current ratio of 2.2:1 between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seats. The resolution further sought the implementation of one-third reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha from the 2029 election onwards, without linking it to any future census or delimitation.
Key Facts for Prelims: Delimitation of Lok Sabha Seats
- Delimitation means the process of fixing the number of seats and boundaries of territorial constituencies in each State for the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies.
- The Delimitation Commission is set up under an Act of Parliament to carry out this process.
- The last time seat numbers were determined was on the basis of the 1971 Census population.
- Article 81(2): Lok Sabha seats must be allotted to each State so that the populationβseat ratio is, as far as practicable, the same across all States.
- Exception: The inter-State ratio rule does not apply to a State whose population does not exceed 60 lakh.
- Indiaβs population in the 1971 Census was approximately 54.8 crore, translating to a national average of approximately 10.1 lakh people per constituency.
- Tamil Naduβs resolution also seeks one-third womenβs reservation in Lok Sabha from 2029 elections.
Static Exam Link
Prelims: Delimitation Commission, Article 81(2), 84th Constitutional Amendment Act
Mains GS-II: Issues relating to representation, delimitation, and federal balance in the Indian polity
Quick Revision Table: Delimitation of Lok Sabha Seats
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| What is Delimitation? | Process of fixing number of seats and constituency boundaries |
| Who performs it? | Delimitation Commission set up under Act of Parliament |
| Current seat freeze basis | 1971 Census population |
| Constitutional provision | Article 81(2) β equal population-seat ratio across States |
| Exception | States with population below 60 lakh |
| Tamil Naduβs demand | Freeze seats at 543 permanently, preserve 2.2:1 LS-RS ratio |
| Womenβs reservation demand | One-third seats from 2029 elections |
Trap / Confusing Points: Delimitation of Lok Sabha Seats
- Trap: Delimitation only changes boundaries β Wrong! Delimitation also involves fixing the number of seats, not just redrawing boundaries.
- Trap: Lok Sabha seats were frozen based on 2001 Census β Wrong! The number of seats was frozen based on the 1971 Census. The 2001 Census was used only for readjusting constituency boundaries within States (under the 84th Amendment).
- Trap: Article 81 deals with Rajya Sabha composition β Wrong! Article 81 deals with Lok Sabha composition; Rajya Sabha composition is under Article 80.
Practice MCQs: Delimitation of Lok Sabha Seats
Q1. The present allocation of Lok Sabha seats among States is frozen on the basis of which Census?
- a) 1961 Census
- b) 1971 Census
- c) 1991 Census
- d) 2001 Census
Answer: b) 1971 Census
The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) froze the allocation of Lok Sabha seats on the basis of the 1971 Census until the first Census after 2000.
Q2. Article 81(2) of the Constitution provides that:
- a) Total Lok Sabha seats shall not exceed 552
- b) Population-seat ratio shall be same across all States as far as practicable
- c) Delimitation Commission shall be appointed every 10 years
- d) Women shall have one-third reservation in Lok Sabha
Answer: b) Population-seat ratio shall be same across all States as far as practicable
Article 81(2) mandates that seats be allotted so the population-seat ratio is, as far as practicable, uniform across States.
Q3. The inter-State ratio rule for Lok Sabha seat allocation does not apply to States with population below:
- a) 50 lakh
- b) 60 lakh
- c) 70 lakh
- d) 1 crore
Answer: b) 60 lakh
The Constitution provides an exception for States whose population does not exceed 60 lakh.
Q4. Which Constitutional Amendment froze the allocation of Lok Sabha seats based on 1971 Census?
- a) 42nd Amendment
- b) 44th Amendment
- c) 73rd Amendment
- d) 84th Amendment
Answer: a) 42nd Amendment
The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) froze the allocation. The 84th Amendment (2001) extended this freeze until the first Census after 2026.
Q5. Tamil Naduβs Assembly resolution advocates preserving the Lok Sabha to Rajya Sabha seat ratio at:
- a) 2:1
- b) 2.2:1
- c) 3:1
- d) 1.5:1
Answer: b) 2.2:1
The resolution specifically advocates preserving the current ratio of 2.2:1 between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seats.
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