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SC Refuses PIL on Delimitation: 84th & 87th Amendments Upheld, Vote Value Not Linked to Delimitation

PolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
14 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:84th Amendment (Lok Sabha - 1971 Census)87th Amendment (Vidhan Sabha - 2001 Census)70% citizens excludedPIL filed by Nishant Khatri
Bodies:Supreme Court
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What This Article Covers

1.SC refuses PIL challenging 84th (Lok Sabha based on 1971 Census) and 87th (Vidhan Sabha based on 2001 Census) Constitutional Amendments.

2.Court holds right to vote is independent of delimitation; vote value may be diluted vis-à-vis population but not vis-à-vis states under federal constitutionalism.

3.Petitioner argued exclusion of 70% citizens born after 1971 violates 'one person, one vote, one value'; SC suggested representation to competent authority.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Supreme Court refused to entertain a PIL challenging the 84th and 87th Constitutional Amendments that freeze Lok Sabha representation based on 1971 population and Vidhan Sabha on 2001 population. The Court held that the right to vote is independent of delimitation, and that vote value dilution is a feature of federal constitutionalism, not a violation of basic structure.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

84th AmendmentLok Sabha representation based on 1971 population (frozen)
87th AmendmentVidhan Sabha representation based on 2001 population (frozen)
SC BenchCJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi & V Mohana
PetitionerNishant Khatri (from Jhajjar, Haryana)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›84th Amendment: Lok Sabha representation based on 1971 population (frozen)
  • ›87th Amendment: Vidhan Sabha representation based on 2001 population (frozen)
  • ›Target this Data: 84th Amendment (Lok Sabha based on 1971 Census), 87th Amendment (Vidhan Sabha based on 2001 Census)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Supreme Court (3-judge bench led by CJI Surya Kant)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Article 82 (delimitation after each Census) and the freeze under 84th & 87th Amendments

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

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which constitutional amendment froze the allocation of Lok Sabha seats based on the 1971 Census?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court's ruling on delimitation:

1. The Supreme Court held that the right to vote is directly linked to delimitation of constituencies.

2. The Court observed that vote value dilution vis-à-vis states is a feature of federal constitutionalism.

3. The PIL was filed by a petitioner from Haryana challenging the 84th and 87th Constitutional Amendments.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the PIL, what percentage of Indian citizens were excluded from representation due to the freeze on delimitation based on 1971 population?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary reason behind the freeze on delimitation of Lok Sabha seats based on the 1971 Census?

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