Delimitation exercise

Published: 10th Feb, 2024

Context

The delimitation of constituencies for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies is to be carried out on the basis of the first Census after 2026.

What is delimitation?

Article 82 and 170 of the Constitution provide that the number of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative assemblies as well as its division into territorial constituencies shall be readjusted after each Census.

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.
- It also includes determining the seats to be reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in these houses.
Performed by: Delimitation Commission. Such an exercise was carried out after the 1951, 1961 and 1971 Census.

Delimitation Commission:
The Delimitation Commission or Boundary Commission of India is a commission established by the Government of India under the provisions of the Delimitation Commission Act.
Composition:
- Retired Supreme Court judge
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Respective State Election Commissioners
The Commission’s orders cannot be challenged in any court of law.

Need of such an exercise:

To provide equal representation to equal segments of a population.
To provide a fair division of geographical areas so that one political party doesn’t have an advantage over others in an election.
To follow the principle of “One Vote One Value”.

CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS

Delimitation exercise

What is delimitation?

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