Delimitation and Representation in India

Why in the News?

1. There has been increasing discussion about a possible delimitation exercise in India.
2. Delimitation is the process of redrawing the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies.
3. If parliamentary constituencies (PCs) are allocated mainly based on population, southern States may lose seats.
4. This method could disproportionately affect southern States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka because these States have followed strict family planning policies, resulting in lower population growth.
5. There is a bigger debate, should population or number of electors be the main basis for allocating parliamentary constituencies?

What are the Key Highlights?

1. Population vs Electors Debate:
   1. The main question is whether delimitation should be based on total population or on the number of registered electors.
   2. Population data includes everyone, including children, migrants, and those not registered to vote. In contrast, elector data only includes those who are eligible and registered to vote.
2. Problems with Population as a Basis:
   1. Census counts all people who stayed in a place for six months or more, even without proof of residence.
   2. Migrants are people who move from one place to another. They are counted in the population where they move to. But many of them do not change their voter registration. So, they are not able to vote in the new place.
   3. Some places have more young people under the age of 18. These children cannot vote. So, even if the total population is high, the number of voters is low. This changes how many people can actually vote in that area.

Census Definition: A Population Census is the complete process of collecting, organizing, studying, and sharing information about the people living in a country or a part of it at a certain time. It gives details about how many people live in an area, along with their age, jobs, education, and other facts. It also shows how these details change over time. India’s Census is one of the biggest government exercises in the world. The last Census in India was done in 2011. The next Census was planned for 2021, but it was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic and is now expected to conclude by March 2027. Nodal Ministry: The Census in India is done every 10 years by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner The Registrar General and Census Commissioner works under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

3. Electors Give a Clearer Picture:
   1. Using elector data better reflects the actual number of voters in each constituency.
   2. It avoids the delay in waiting for the Census.
   3. It supports the idea of “one person, one vote, one value”.
4. Vote Value Varies Across India:
   1. The value of a vote is inversely related to the number of electors in a constituency. The value of each vote goes down when there are more voters in a constituency.
   2. In 1951, southern States had higher vote values. This changed later but again improved in 2009, 2019, and 2024.
   3. Union Territories, hilly States, and north-eastern States have had higher vote values from 1951 to 2024 because of their special conditions and minimum seat rules.
   4. The average difference in elector numbers between southern and other States has changed over time, showing a mixed pattern. For example: Idukki (Kerala) has far fewer electors than Malkajgiri (Telangana) and Bangalore North.
      1. A vote in Idukki is worth 4.5 times more than a vote in Malkajgiri.
5. Southern States Already Overrepresented:
   1. In 2024, the southern States had only 22.45% of India’s voters but they had 23.8% of Lok Sabha seats, which is more than their share of voters. Their seats in the Rajya Sabha is 24.4%, which is even higher.
   2. The opposite is true for the other States. They have more voters but fewer seats. Their share of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seats is less than their share of voters.
   3. The situation is the other way around for the other States. These States have 71.2% of India’s voters, but only 67.4% of Lok Sabha seats. Their Rajya Sabha share is even lower at 64.4%. For example, Tamil Nadu has 39 Lok Sabha seats, which is less than Bihar (40) and West Bengal (42) but Tamil Nadu has 18 Rajya Sabha seats, while Bihar and West Bengal each have only 16.
   4. According to experts, a fairer way is to give seats based on the number of voters, not just population.

What is the Significance?

1. Fair Representation: Using electors instead of population ensures that seats are given where actual voters live, not just where people are counted.
2. Strengthens Democracy: It promotes equality by ensuring each vote has equal value across the country.
3. Timely Adjustment: Elector data is regularly updated, unlike the Census which happens once a decade.
4. Reflects Urban Migration Trends: With increasing urbanisation and migration, elector-based delimitation captures where voters actually reside and vote.
5. Avoids Penalising Population Control: Southern States should not lose seats for effectively following population control policies, using elector-based allocation helps to prevent this.

What are the Challenges and Way Forwards?

Challenges	Way Forward
1. Resistance from States fearing loss of seats.	1. Clear communication and consensus-building among States and political parties.
2. Migration not reflected in voter registration.	2. Improve and simplify voter re-registration processes for migrants
3. Inaccurate or outdated electoral rolls.	3. Regularly clean and update electoral rolls with use of technology.
4. Risk of ignoring minimum representation for small States and UTs.	4. Continue to protect minimum seat guarantees for small and hilly States
5. Political misuse of the population control narrative	5. Reframe the debate around democratic fairness and equal vote value.
6. Delay in Census data availability.	6. Promote use of real-time elector data from Election Commission for delimitation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

Delimitation is a very important part of India’s democracy. Earlier, population was used to decide how many seats each area should get. But now, things have changed. People are moving to cities, and we have better data about voters. So, using the number of voters (electors) is now a better way to decide. This will help make sure that every person’s vote has the same value. It will make voting more fair for everyone.

What is Delimitation in India? About: Delimitation in India refers to the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies both for the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and State Legislative Assemblies. It is based on the latest population data from the national census. The objective is to ensure that each constituency has, as far as possible, an equal number of inhabitants so that all votes have roughly equal value in the democratic process. Key Points About Delimitation: Purpose: Delimitation is done to adjust the size and shape of voting areas. This is based on changes in population. It ensures fair and equal representation for all. Legal Rules: Delimitation is required by the Indian Constitution. Article 82 talks about Lok Sabha (national) seats. Article 170 talks about State Assembly seats. The Delimitation Commission does this work. It is a special body set up by the Government of India. It works independently. Its decisions are final. No one can challenge them in court. In India, such Delimitation Commissions have been constituted 4 times, in 1952 under the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952, in 1963 under Delimitation Commission Act, 1962, in 1973 under Delimitation Act, 1972 and in 2002 under Delimitation Act, 2002. Delimitation should happen after every 10-year census. But in 1976, the process was stopped through a law change (42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976). This was done to support family planning and population control. Later in 2001, it was again put on hold until after 2026 (through the 84th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2001).

 

Ensure IAS Mains Question: Q. What is delimitation in the Indian context? Discuss its constitutional provisions, objectives, and the implications of the upcoming delimitation exercise, especially in the context of regional population disparities. (250 words)

 

Ensure IAS Prelims Question: Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the basis of delimitation in India: The total population includes children, migrants, and non-voters, making it an imperfect basis for delimitation. Using elector data avoids the delay caused by the Census and reflects actual voter presence. Population-based allocation always leads to equal vote value across constituencies. How many of the above statements is/are correct? Only one Only two All three None Answer: b Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: Total population includes many who cannot vote (e.g., children), making it less accurate for voter representation. Statement 2 is correct: Elector data is regularly updated and reflects real-time voter presence. Statement 3 is incorrect: Population-based allocation can lead to unequal vote value due to regional differences in voter population (e.g., high youth population).

 

 

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