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Delimitation Freeze Extended to 2026 Census, 131st Amendment Bill Fails to Expand Lok Sabha to 850 Seats

PolityCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
14 May 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Lok Sabha seats: 543Proposed seats: 850Freeze until: first census after 2026Reference census: 1971 (seats), 1991 (constituencies)
Bodies:Delimitation CommissionElection CommissionSupreme Court
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What This Article Covers

1.The 84th Constitutional Amendment (2001) extended the delimitation freeze, using the 1971 census for seat allocation and the 1991 census for constituency division, until the first census after 2026.

2.The 131st Constitution Amendment Bill (2026), aiming to expand Lok Sabha seats to 850 based on the 2011 census and introduce women's reservation, failed to pass in the Lok Sabha.

3.Southern states fear a population-based delimitation will reduce their political representation, arguing for inclusion of development indicators like GSDP alongside population data.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The constitutional freeze on delimitation, which prevents reallocation of Lok Sabha seats based on population changes, has been extended until the first census after 2026. A recent attempt to amend this via the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill, which sought to expand seats to 850, failed in Parliament, reviving debates on federal balance and the 'one person, one vote' principle.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Current Lok Sabha Seats543
Proposed Expansion (2026 Bill)850 seats
Census Freeze Reference1971 (Seats), 1991 (Constituencies)
Delimitation Commissions4 (1952, 1963, 1973, 2002)
Key Constitutional Articles81, 82, 170, 368

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Current Lok Sabha Seats: 543
  • ›Proposed Expansion (2026 Bill): 850 seats
  • ›Target this Data: 'First census after 2026' is the reference point for ending the freeze.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: 'Delimitation Commission' appointed by the President.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Articles 81, 82, 170, and 368 govern delimitation and its amendment.

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

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Who appoints the Delimitation Commission in India?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding delimitation in India:

1. The 84th Constitutional Amendment Act extended the freeze on delimitation until the first census after 2026.

2. The last delimitation exercise was completed based on the 1991 census.

3. Article 329(a) of the Constitution completely bars judicial review of orders passed by the Delimitation Commission.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

To how many seats did the failed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, propose to expand the Lok Sabha?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a primary concern of southern Indian states regarding the proposed removal of the delimitation freeze?

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