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A Case for Fair Lok Sabha Seat Allocation: Ensuring Equity in Representation
Readjustment of Lok Sabha seats post-2026
The upcoming readjustment of Lok Sabha seats post-2026, based on the new Census, has triggered intense debates around federal equity and democratic representation. A major point of concern is the emerging North-South disparity in representation due to unequal population growth rates.
Constitutional Framework Governing Lok Sabha Seat Allocation
- Article 1 of the Constitution defines India as a Union of States, signifying not just unity but equality in representation.
- Article 81(2)(a): Seeks a uniform ratio between population and Lok Sabha seats across States.
- Article 82: Mandates readjustment of seats after each Census to reflect demographic changes.
- Delimitation vs Readjustment:
- Delimitation: Redrawing of constituency boundaries within States to ensure equal representation.
- Readjustment: Changing the number of seats allotted to each State based on population.
Historical Background: Freeze on
Readjustment of Lok Sabha seats post-2026
The upcoming readjustment of Lok Sabha seats post-2026, based on the new Census, has triggered intense debates around federal equity and democratic representation. A major point of concern is the emerging North-South disparity in representation due to unequal population growth rates.
Constitutional Framework Governing Lok Sabha Seat Allocation
- Article 1 of the Constitution defines India as a Union of States, signifying not just unity but equality in representation.
- Article 81(2)(a): Seeks a uniform ratio between population and Lok Sabha seats across States.
- Article 82: Mandates readjustment of seats after each Census to reflect demographic changes.
- Delimitation vs Readjustment:
- Delimitation: Redrawing of constituency boundaries within States to ensure equal representation.
- Readjustment: Changing the number of seats allotted to each State based on population.
Historical Background: Freeze on Seat Allocation (1976–2026)
- 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976): Froze the number of seats to States based on the 1971 Census to incentivise population control.
- Total Lok Sabha seats were fixed at 543, based on 1971 population of 54.79 crore.
- This freeze was extended until 2026 via the 84th Amendment (2002).
Need and Significance of the Upcoming Delimitation and Readjustment
- India’s estimated population in 2025 is 141 crore, vastly different from the 1971 base.
- Significance:
- Ensures democratic legitimacy and equal weightage to votes.
- Reflects actual population trends in seat allocation.
- Critical for addressing governance needs of high-population regions.
- However, blind application of population criteria could undermine the federal spirit and penalise States with better governance outcomes.
Key Concerns Arising from the Upcoming Delimitation Exercise
- Disproportionate Gains for High-Population States:
- Uttar Pradesh: Population increased from 8.38 crore (1971) to 24.1 crore (2025).
- Bihar: From 4.21 crore to 13.1 crore.
- Underrepresentation of Performing States: Kerala: Grew from 2.14 crore to 3.6 crore, but risks gaining only a few seats despite better social indicators.
- Literal Application of Article 81:
- May give Uttar Pradesh up to 240 seats.
- Kerala would rise marginally (from 20 to ~36), distorting political balance.
- Penalising Success: States that implemented effective population policies may lose out on proportional representation.
Key Concerns of the Southern States
- Political Marginalisation: Southern States fear being reduced to a political minority, despite contributing significantly to national GDP and human development.
- Constitutional Misalignment: Strict population-based readjustment conflicts with the spirit of cooperative federalism.
- Mobilisation and Resistance:
- Led by Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin, Southern States have held joint action committees and conclaves to voice concerns.
- Punjab has also joined, showing that the issue transcends geography.
- Federal Imbalance: A skewed seat distribution would tilt power towards populous States, weakening the federal structure.
Way Forward: Towards a Balanced and Forward-Looking Seat Allocation Model
- Revisiting Constitutional Interpretation
- A sensitive reinterpretation of Article 81(2)(a) is needed in light of frozen seats since 1976.
- Recognising contextual irrelevance of outdated provisions to ensure justice in representation.
- Kerala Growth Model: A Fair Benchmark
- Kerala witnessed only a 68% population growth since 1971.
- Proposal: Apply a uniform 68% increase in Lok Sabha seats across all States.
- Advantages of the Kerala-Based Formula
- Promotes equity in representation without penalising States with controlled populations.
- Preserves federal balance and democratic legitimacy.
- Prevents North-South political polarisation.
- Ensures that every State grows equally, maintaining proportional strength.
- Preventing Zero-Sum Politics
- Representation should not become a competitive battleground.
- Must uphold principles of:
- Democratic fairness
- Administrative practicality
- Federal equity
(1976–2026)
- 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976): Froze the number of seats to States based on the 1971 Census to incentivise population control.
- Total Lok Sabha seats were fixed at 543, based on 1971 population of 54.79 crore.
- This freeze was extended until 2026 via the 84th Amendment (2002).
Need and Significance of the Upcoming Delimitation and Readjustment
- India’s estimated population in 2025 is 141 crore, vastly different from the 1971 base.
- Significance:
- Ensures democratic legitimacy and equal weightage to votes.
- Reflects actual population trends in seat allocation.
- Critical for addressing governance needs of high-population regions.
- However, blind application of population criteria could undermine the federal spirit and penalise States with better governance outcomes.
Key Concerns Arising from the Upcoming Delimitation Exercise
- Disproportionate Gains for High-Population States:
- Uttar Pradesh: Population increased from 8.38 crore (1971) to 24.1 crore (2025).
- Bihar: From 4.21 crore to 13.1 crore.
- Underrepresentation of Performing States: Kerala: Grew from 2.14 crore to 3.6 crore, but risks gaining only a few seats despite better social indicators.
- Literal Application of Article 81:
- May give Uttar Pradesh up to 240 seats.
- Kerala would rise marginally (from 20 to ~36), distorting political balance.
- Penalising Success: States that implemented effective population policies may lose out on proportional representation.
Key Concerns of the Southern States
- Political Marginalisation: Southern States fear being reduced to a political minority, despite contributing significantly to national GDP and human development.
- Constitutional Misalignment: Strict population-based readjustment conflicts with the spirit of cooperative federalism.
- Mobilisation and Resistance:
- Led by Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin, Southern States have held joint action committees and conclaves to voice concerns.
- Punjab has also joined, showing that the issue transcends geography.
- Federal Imbalance: A skewed seat distribution would tilt power towards populous States, weakening the federal structure.
Way Forward: Towards a Balanced and Forward-Looking Seat Allocation Model
- Revisiting Constitutional Interpretation
- A sensitive reinterpretation of Article 81(2)(a) is needed in light of frozen seats since 1976.
- Recognising contextual irrelevance of outdated provisions to ensure justice in representation.
- Kerala Growth Model: A Fair Benchmark
- Kerala witnessed only a 68% population growth since 1971.
- Proposal: Apply a uniform 68% increase in Lok Sabha seats across all States.
- Advantages of the Kerala-Based Formula
- Promotes equity in representation without penalising States with controlled populations.
- Preserves federal balance and democratic legitimacy.
- Prevents North-South political polarisation.
- Ensures that every State grows equally, maintaining proportional strength.
- Preventing Zero-Sum Politics
- Representation should not become a competitive battleground.
- Must uphold principles of:
- Democratic fairness
- Administrative practicality
- Federal equity
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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH
