Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 & Delimitation in India

What was proposed along with the Delimitation Bill, 2026 to restructure representation?

Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026.

What is the main purpose of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026?

To restructure representation and lift the freeze on delimitation.

Which Bill is proposed together with the Delimitation Bill, 2026?

Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026.

What major constitutional issue is addressed by the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026?

Restructuring Lok Sabha representation and lifting the freeze on redrawing constituency boundaries.

What is the current strength of the Lok Sabha before the proposed expansion?

543 members.

To how many seats does the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 propose to expand the Lok Sabha?

850 seats.

What would be the proposed strength of the Lok Sabha after expansion?

850 seats.

Out of the proposed 850 Lok Sabha seats, how many would be allocated to States?

820 seats.

Out of the proposed 850 Lok Sabha seats, how many would be allocated to Union Territories?

30 seats.

How many seats are currently reserved for Scheduled Castes in the Lok Sabha?

84 seats.

How many seats are currently reserved for Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha?

47 seats.

What is the total number of currently reserved SC and ST Lok Sabha seats?

131 seats.

Which Census is the current Lok Sabha seat freeze based on according to the 84th Constitutional Amendment?

1971 Census.

Which Census is proposed to be used for seat allocation and delimitation under the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026?

2011 Census.

Which Article is proposed to be amended to lift the freeze on redrawing constituency boundaries?

Article 82.

What is the purpose of amending Article 82 under the proposed 131st Amendment?

To lift the freeze on redrawing constituency boundaries.

What percentage of Lok Sabha seats does the 131st Amendment Bill propose to reserve for women immediately?

33%.

What fraction of Lok Sabha seats is proposed to be reserved for women?

One-third.

What fraction of seats reserved for SC/ST is proposed to be reserved for SC/ST women?

One-third.

Within SC/ST reserved seats, what percentage is proposed to be reserved for women?

One-third.

Which Constitutional Amendment Act is linked to the existing Women's Reservation Act?

The 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023.

What is the official name of the Women's Reservation Act, 2023?

Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023.

What Constitutional Amendment is associated with the Women's Reservation Act, 2023?

106th Constitutional Amendment Act.

What is the objective of the Women's Reservation Act, 2023?

To reserve one-third of total seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for women.

Which Article provides for reservation for women in the Lok Sabha under the Women's Reservation Act?

Article 330A.

Which Article provides for reservation for women in State Legislative Assemblies?

Article 332A.

Which Article deals with reservation becoming effective after delimitation and Census?

Article 334A.

How long is the Women's Reservation valid under the proposed framework?

15 years.

Can the period of women's reservation be extended?

Yes, it can be extended by Parliament.

When will women's reservation become effective under the Women's Reservation Act framework?

After delimitation and the relevant Census exercise.

How will reserved women's seats be rotated?

After each delimitation.

What is the rotation mechanism for women's reserved seats?

Reserved constituencies for women will be rotated periodically after delimitation.

Which Constitutional Amendment inserted Article 330A?

The 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023.

Which Constitutional Amendment inserted Article 332A?

The 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023.

Which Constitutional Amendment inserted Article 334A?

The 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023.

What does Article 330A relate to?

Reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha.

What does Article 332A relate to?

Reservation of seats for women in State Legislative Assemblies.

What does Article 334A relate to?

When women's reservation becomes effective and its duration.

What was the historical background of the Women's Reservation Bill before 2023?

Women's reservation Bills were introduced in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2010.

In which years were earlier Women's Reservation Bills introduced according to the slide?

1996, 1998, 1999 and 2010.

Which committee was associated with women-related recommendations in 1971?

The Committee on the Status of Women in India.

Which committee was chaired by Margaret Alva in 1987?

The Committee chaired by Margaret Alva.

Which committee was established in 1996 in the women's reservation background?

The Geeta Mukherjee Committee.

Which committee on the Status of Women was mentioned for 2010?

The Committee on the Status of Women, 2010.

What is one major argument in favour of women's reservation?

It can strengthen gender equality.

How can women's reservation improve representation?

It can bring a broader range of perspectives into decision-making.

How can women's reservation help eliminate discrimination?

It can help eliminate discrimination against women in political and public life.

What is one argument against the Women's Reservation Act mentioned in the material?

Delimitation is based on the 2021 Census, which has not yet been conducted according to the slide.

What other implementation concern is mentioned regarding women's reservation?

There is no women's reservation in Rajya Sabha and Legislative Councils.

What was the political underrepresentation of women in the Lok Sabha mentioned in the slide?

Only 82 women MPs, or about 15.2%.

What was the representation of women in the Rajya Sabha mentioned in the slide?

31 women members, or about 13%.

On average, what percentage of the total members in State Legislatures were women according to the slide?

About 9%.

What is the key representation concern addressed by women's reservation?

Political underrepresentation of women.

What is the main demographic concern associated with the proposed delimitation?

Population-based delimitation may shift representation towards high-population northern states.

What federal concern is associated with the proposed delimitation?

Federal imbalance between states.

What is the Southern States' share mentioned in the delimitation analysis?

About 24.3%.

What could happen to the Southern States' share if seats are redistributed based on population?

It could fall further.

What is the broad concern regarding northern states under population-based delimitation?

High-population northern states may gain more seats.

What is the concern regarding Southern States with lower population growth?

They may lose relative representation despite better population control.

What principle of federalism is potentially affected by unequal population-based representation?

Cooperative federalism.

What does population-based delimitation risk doing to states with lower fertility?

It may penalise states that successfully controlled population growth.

What is one major positive consequence of expanding Lok Sabha representation?

Enhanced representation.

How can expansion of constituencies improve democratic representation?

It can improve accessibility, grievance redressal and democratic responsiveness.

How does increased women's representation support the Constitution?

It supports implementation of the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023.

How can more MPs improve local development targeting?

MPs can manage smaller constituencies and use MPLADS funds more efficiently.

What is the annual MPLADS allocation per MP mentioned in the material?

₹5 crore.

How can smaller constituencies improve parliamentary functioning?

They can make representation more accessible and improve local development targeting.

What is one positive consequence regarding parliamentary committee work?

Improved parliamentary functioning through committee specialisation and policy expertise.

How can smaller constituencies affect MPs' workloads?

They can make constituency management more efficient.

What is the major reason implementation of delimitation is delayed?

The next Census is scheduled after 2026.

What Census-related issue delays delimitation?

The next Census has to be conducted before the new delimitation exercise.

Why is delimitation considered politically sensitive?

Because it changes the allocation of parliamentary seats among states.

What is a constitutional requirement before major delimitation changes?

Seat allocation among States must be constitutionally adjusted.

Why can administrative and political capacity delay delimitation?

Balancing regional representation with population and political concerns creates challenges.

What is one major negative consequence of population-based delimitation?

Federal imbalance.

How can population-based delimitation affect northern and southern states differently?

High-population northern states may gain seats while lower-population-growth southern states may lose relative representation.

Why could a larger Lok Sabha weaken the Rajya Sabha's relative role?

A larger Lok Sabha may increase its dominance in the parliamentary system.

What is meant by weakening of the Rajya Sabha's role?

The Lok Sabha's increased size may reduce the Rajya Sabha's relative influence.

How can Lok Sabha expansion affect the federal chamber's role?

The Rajya Sabha may have relatively less weight compared with the enlarged Lok Sabha.

What risk arises from Cabinet expansion under Article 75(1A)?

Ministers are capped at 15% of Lok Sabha strength, so an enlarged Lok Sabha could permit a larger Council of Ministers.

What percentage of Lok Sabha strength is the constitutional cap for Ministers under Article 75(1A)?

15%.

What is the constitutional basis for the 15% ministerial cap?

Article 75(1A).

What is the concern regarding Cabinet expansion after Lok Sabha enlargement?

It may increase the size and cost of government.

How could a larger Cabinet affect governance?

It could increase administrative expenditure and the risk of patronage politics.

What is one negative consequence of a larger Lok Sabha regarding legislative deliberation?

Larger House size could reduce speaking time per MP.

How can reduced speaking time affect Parliament?

It can weaken question hour and detailed floor scrutiny.

What is a concern regarding fiscal transfers after population-based delimitation?

Population-based representation may influence Finance Commission allocations and disadvantage economically efficient but less populous states.

Why might economically efficient but less populous states feel disadvantaged?

They may have controlled population growth but receive relatively less representation or influence.

What is the basic tension in the delimitation debate?

Balancing democratic representation by population with federal fairness.

What is delimitation?

The process of defining territorial constituency boundaries to ensure proportional representation based on population changes.

Who conducts delimitation in India?

The Delimitation Commission.

What is the main objective of delimitation?

To ensure fair and proportional representation.

Why is delimitation necessary?

To adjust constituency boundaries according to demographic changes.

What is one objective of delimitation regarding equality of representation?

Ensuring equal voting strength.

How does delimitation address regional imbalances?

By correcting disparities in representation between regions.

How does delimitation help constituency boundaries?

It adjusts boundaries based on demographic shifts.

How does delimitation support democratic representation?

It eliminates constituency-size gaps and helps ensure fair representation.

Who appoints the Delimitation Commission?

The President of India.

With whom does the President consult while appointing the Delimitation Commission?

The Election Commission.

Is the Delimitation Commission independent?

Yes, it functions independently.