Constitution Amendment Bills Seek Women's Reservation, Remove 1971 Census Freeze for Lok Sabha Seat Allocation

Constitution 131st Amendment Bill: Lok Sabha Expansion to 850 Seats, Tamil Nadu Parties Divided

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which sought to increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850 and enable fresh delimitation before 2029, failed to secure the required two-thirds majority. Tamil Nadu's political parties remain divided, with the DMK demanding a freeze on seats based on the 1971 Census for 25 more years. This issue tests federal principles and the balance of political representation, making it critical for UPSC polity and governance preparation.

Delimitation Row: Tamil Nadu Seeks Freeze on 543 Lok Sabha Seats; 131st Amendment Bill to Raise to 850 Defeated

Delimitation after the 2026 census threatens to redraw Lok Sabha representation, triggering a federal vs democratic conflict. Tamil Nadu's resolution to freeze seats at 543 and the defeated 131st Amendment Bill (proposing 850 seats) highlight the core tension between population-based representation and protecting states that controlled population growth. This is a high-stakes polity issue for UPSC Mains and Prelims.

Rajya Sabha Passes NCDC (Amendment) Bill 2026 Expanding Direct Loans to Cooperatives

Rajya Sabha passed the NCDC (Amendment) Bill 2026, empowering the National Cooperative Development Corporation to give loans and grants directly to cooperative societies. The bill also expands the definition of foodstuffs to include processed food, marking a structural shift in cooperative sector financing. For exam aspirants, this is significant for both Polity (bill passage process, federalism debate) and Economy (cooperative credit, role of NCDC).

SC Split Verdict on CEC/EC Appointment Act, 2023; Matter Referred to CJI for Constitution Bench

A two-judge Supreme Court bench has split on whether to refer the challenge to the CEC and ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 to a five-judge Constitution Bench. With Justice Dipankar Datta disagreeing with Justice S C Sharma, the case now goes to the CJI for constituting a larger bench. For aspirants, this is a direct link to Article 324, the Anoop Baranwal verdict, and the independence of the Election Commission.

AP High Court Declares Three-Capitals Petitions Infructuous; Amaravati Now Sole Capital Under AP Reorganisation (Amendment) Act 2026

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has deemed all petitions against the proposed three-capitals model as infructuous after Parliament amended the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, making Amaravati the sole capital by law. This ends a long-standing political and legal battle, with implications for state governance and federal structure.

Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 Passed in Lok Sabha: Digital Records Now Admissible Evidence

Lok Sabha passed the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026, replacing the 1891 Act, to make digital and virtual records admissible as evidence in courts. The bill was passed by voice vote without debate amid Opposition protests. This reform updates colonial-era banking evidence law for the digital age.

SC Strength Increased to 38 Judges: Will It Reduce Pendency and Free Up Constitution Benches?

Parliament has passed a bill increasing Supreme Court judge strength from 34 to 38, aimed at enabling regular Constitution Benches and reducing case backlog (92,101 cases pending as of Jan 1, 2026). However, past Law Commission reports question if more judges alone can solve pendency, and the real impact depends on filling vacancies and judicial management.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Resolution: Freeze Lok Sabha at 543 Seats, Implement 33% Women's Quota from 2029

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a resolution demanding a permanent freeze of Lok Sabha seats at 543 and implementation of 33% women's reservation from 2029, rejecting any linkage to delimitation. This highlights the ongoing north-south divide over representation and the stalled women's quota implementation.