Delimitation Bill May Be Back in Monsoon Session: Key Facts
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Delimitation Bill is likely to be reintroduced in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, as per sources. The decision to push the bill was taken at a meeting of ministers at Kartavya Bhavan on Friday. This bill could redraw parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on the latest census, impacting political representation.
Background
Delimitation is the process of redrawing boundaries of Lok Sabha and state assembly constituencies based on population data. The last delimitation was done in 2002-2008 based on the 2001 census. The next delimitation was due after the 2021 census, which has been delayed. The bill aims to enable delimitation based on the upcoming census.
Key facts
The Delimitation Bill may be brought back in the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
A meeting of ministers at Kartavya Bhavan on Friday decided to make a fresh push for the bill.
The bill seeks to redraw parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on the latest census.
Delimitation is done to ensure equal representation based on population changes.
The last delimitation exercise was completed in 2008 based on the 2001 census.
The next delimitation was to be based on the 2021 census, which has been postponed.
The bill may face political challenges due to concerns over representation of southern states.
Delimitation is carried out by the Delimitation Commission, a statutory body.
The Constitution (84th Amendment) Act, 2001 froze delimitation until the first census after 2026.
The bill may require a constitutional amendment to proceed before the 2026 deadline.
Prelims pointers
- Delimitation Commission: statutory body under Delimitation Act, 2002
- 84th Amendment Act, 2001: froze delimitation until after 2026 census
- Kartavya Bhavan: venue of the ministerial meeting
- Monsoon Session: typically July-September
- Lok Sabha: 543 elected members
- State Assembly constituencies: vary by state
- Census: conducted every 10 years; 2021 census delayed
- Delimitation: based on population data
- Southern states: may lose seats due to lower population growth
- Constitutional amendment: required to change delimitation freeze
Mains angles
- Discuss the need for delimitation in India and its impact on federal balance.
- Critically examine the political implications of delimitation for southern states.
- Analyze the constitutional provisions related to delimitation and the role of the Delimitation Commission.
- Evaluate the arguments for and against linking delimitation to population control measures.
- How does delimitation affect representation of marginalized communities?
- Discuss the challenges in implementing delimitation before the 2026 deadline.