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J&K Delimitation Commission Led by Justice Desai Redraws 90 Assembly & 5 Parliamentary Seats Post Article 370 Abrogation

PolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
20 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:J&K Assembly seats increased to 1146 seats added in Jammu1 seat added in KashmirDelimitation frozen nationally till 2026
Bodies:Delimitation CommissionSupreme Court of IndiaJammu and Kashmir High Court
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Delimitation Commission headed by ex-SC Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai increased J&K Assembly seats from 83 to 90, adding 6 in Jammu and 1 in Kashmir.

2.The exercise, frozen nationwide till 2026, was conducted only in J&K post Article 370 abrogation, raising constitutional and political questions.

3.Opposition alleges political gerrymandering, citing changes like moving Pir Panjal (Poonch-Rajouri) from Jammu to Anantnag parliamentary seat to consolidate Hindu votes in Jammu.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The controversial delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir, mandated by the 2019 Reorganisation Act, has redrawn electoral boundaries, increasing seats in Jammu disproportionately. This move, criticized by all parties except BJP, is a core polity issue linking Article 370, federalism, and electoral representation, crucial for UPSC and state PSC exams.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Delimitation Commission ChairpersonJustice Ranjana Prakash Desai (Retd. SC Judge)
Total Assembly Seats Post-Reorganisation (2019 Act)114 (90 for J&K + 24 reserved for PoK)
Seats Added in Jammu Region6 (Increased from 37 to 43)
Seats Added in Kashmir Region1 (Increased from 46 to 47)
Population Basis Used2011 Census
Nationwide Delimitation Freeze Till2026
Legal Challenge to J&K Delimitation Freeze (2002)Filed by Bhim Singh (National Panthers Party)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Delimitation Commission Chairperson: Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai (Retd. SC Judge)
  • ›Total Assembly Seats Post-Reorganisation (2019 Act): 114 (90 for J&K + 24 reserved for PoK)
  • ›Target this Data: Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai chaired the J&K Delimitation Commission.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Delimitation Commission of India (Constitutional body).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 increased Assembly seats to 114 (90+24 PoK).

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Who chaired the Delimitation Commission for Jammu and Kashmir as mentioned in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir:

1. The Delimitation Commission was formed in 2020 following the abrogation of Article 370.

2. The Commission used the 2001 Census data as the basis for redrawing constituencies.

3. The Commission increased the total number of Assembly seats for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to 90.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

As per the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, what is the total number of Assembly seats allocated to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (excluding seats reserved for PoK)?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

A primary criticism by opposition parties against the Jammu and Kashmir delimitation exercise, as per the article, was that it aimed to:

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