Context:
With the freeze on Lok Sabha seat allocation ending after the first Census post-2026 (as per the 84th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2001), concerns have emerged that Southern States may lose relative political influence due to successful population control, while higher-population northern states gain more seats.
Key Highlights
Constitutional & Institutional Background
- Delimitation – Redrawing of parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on population changes.
• 84th Constitutional Amendment (2001) – Froze Lok Sabha seat allocation until first Census after 2026.
• Upcoming Delimitation Commission (DC) likely before the 2029 General Elections.
• Finance Commission (FC) assigns 50% weight to population in tax devolution formula.
Core Concern
- Southern states with lower population growth may see:
- Reduced relative Lok Sabha representation
- Lower financial allocations due to population-based redistribution
• Northern states with higher fertility rates may gain more MPs.
Proposed Solutions
- Increase total Lok Sabha seats while retaining proportionality (using 2011 Census).
• Introduce equal representation in Rajya Sabha (similar to U.S. Senate model).
• Increase Vidhan Sabha seats to improve state-level representation.
• Adopt 60% population + 40% demographic performance formula (inspired by Digressive Proportionality principle used in European Parliament).
Significance
- Raises issues of federal balance and cooperative federalism.
• Questions fairness of linking representation solely to population growth.
• Impacts Centre–State relations and political equilibrium.
Relevant Prelims Points
- Article 82 & Article 170 – Provide for readjustment of constituencies after each Census.
• Delimitation Commission – Independent body; orders have force of law and cannot be challenged in court.
• 84th Constitutional Amendment Act (2001) – Extended freeze on seat allocation until post-2026 Census.
• Finance Commission (Article 280) – Recommends tax revenue distribution.
• Digressive Proportionality – Larger states get more seats but fewer per capita; smaller states get relatively higher per capita representation.
• India’s Census conducted under Census Act, 1948 (2021 Census delayed).
Relevant Mains Points
- Federalism & Political Equity
- Tension between population-based democracy and rewarding demographic discipline.
• Southern states argue penalisation despite successful implementation of family planning policies.
• Risks widening North–South political divide.
- Democratic Representation vs Equity
- Principle of “One person, one vote” vs need to incentivise population stabilisation.
• Possible imbalance in legislative influence affecting policy priorities.
- Fiscal Federalism Linkage
- Finance Commission already incorporates:
- Income distance
- Population size (2011)
- Demographic performance
- Tax effort
• Similar multi-criteria approach could be adopted for seat allocation.
- Political Economy Dimension
- Seat redistribution may alter national electoral arithmetic.
• Resistance expected from ruling parties benefiting from populous states.
Way Forward
- Increase total Lok Sabha seats to accommodate demographic shifts without reducing existing representation.
• Introduce balanced formula combining population & demographic performance.
• Strengthen Rajya Sabha’s federal character.
• Ensure transparent, consultative delimitation process to preserve national unity and cooperative federalism.
UPSC Relevance
• GS 2 – Polity (Federalism, Representation, Constitutional Amendments)
• GS 1 – Indian Society (Demographic Transition, Regional Disparities)
• Prelims: Articles 82, 170, 280; 84th Constitutional Amendment