Delimitation is a crucial electoral process that determines how parliamentary and state assembly constituencies are structured. While its purpose is to ensure fair representation, the upcoming delimitation exercise after the 2026 Census has sparked concerns about a potential North-South divide in India’s political landscape.
WHAT IS DELIMITATION?
Delimitation is the process of redrawing the boundaries of Lok Sabha and state assembly constituencies to reflect changes in population. Also, this process is conducted by a Delimitation Commission, which is set up under an Act of Parliament.
Key Constitutional Provisions:
- Article 82: Mandates readjustment of Lok Sabha seats based on the latest Census.
- Article 170: Deals with the reorganization of State Legislative Assemblies.
India has conducted four delimitation exercises so far—1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002. However, the number of seats was frozen based on the 1971 Census to prevent political imbalances caused by varying population growth rates across states.
WHY WAS DELIMITATION FROZEN AFTER 1971?
After the 1971 Census, the Indian government froze the number of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats until 2001 to encourage population control. This decision was later extended to 2026 to prevent states with higher birth rates from gaining a disproportionate advantage.
Impact of the Freeze:
- States with lower population growth (South India) maintained their representation despite declining birth rates.
- States with higher population growth (North India) continued to have fewer seats per capita.
- The South felt rewarded for population control, while the North argued it was underrepresented.
NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE: WHY IS DELIMITATION CONTROVERSIAL?
The upcoming delimitation exercise could increase parliamentary seats for North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, while reducing the political influence of South Indian states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
| Region | Population Growth (1971–2011) | Current Lok Sabha Seats | Projected Seats Post-2026 (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 125% | 80 | 88–90 |
| Bihar | 150% | 40 | 46–48 |
| Tamil Nadu | 55% | 39 | 30–32 |
| Kerala | 56% | 20 | 15–17 |
Why South India Is Concerned:
- Less Political Representation: States that successfully controlled population growth might lose seats.
- Economic Contribution vs. Representation: Southern states contribute over 30% to India’s GDP but may see reduced influence in national policy-making.
- Federal Imbalance: The shift in power could affect resource allocation and policy decisions, favoring more populous states in the North.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
With the 2026 Census approaching, the Central government will need to address concerns about fairness and balance regional interests. Possible solutions include:
- Decoupling representation from population – Using a mix of economic and social indicators to determine seat allocation.
- Upper House Reforms – Strengthening Rajya Sabha’s role to provide better representation for less-populated states.
- Compensatory Mechanisms – Offering financial or policy incentives to states that controlled their population growth.
The delimitation debate highlights the challenges of balancing democracy, federalism, and equitable representation in a rapidly evolving India. However, the process unite the country or deepen the North-South divide? The answer lies in how policymakers handle this sensitive issue.