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GS II · Polity and GovernanceFriday, 17 April 2026· Polity and Governance

Seat allocation for States: a look at what is being said by who, and what is written

Why it matters for UPSC

The question of Lok Sabha seat reallocation after the freeze expires in 2026 is a live constitutional and political issue touching Articles 81, 82, and the Delimitation Commission. UPSC frequently tests the mechanics of delimitation, population-based representation, and federal equity concerns. This also invokes broader themes of cooperative federalism and Centre-State relations relevant to GS II Mains.

Key facts

  • Lok Sabha seat distribution is governed by Articles 81 and 82 of the Indian Constitution.
  • Article 81(2) prescribes a two-step process in two separate sub-clauses for allocating seats to States.
  • The current freeze on seat reallocation (based on 1971 Census) is set to end after 2026.
  • Article 82 mandates readjustment of Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats after every Census through a Delimitation Act.
  • Southern States fear losing seats due to slower population growth compared to northern States post-delimitation.
  • The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) froze delimitation until 2001, later extended to 2026 by the 84th Amendment (2002).

The distribution of Lok Sabha seats across States is governed by Articles 81 and 82 of the Constitution, in a two-step process, set in two separate sub-clauses of clause 2 of Article 81. ...

Concepts to know

Article 81article

Prescribes the composition of the House of the People (Lok Sabha), linking seat allocation to population of each state, forming the constitutional basis for delimitation.

Article 82article

Article 82 mandates readjustment of Lok Sabha seats and constituency boundaries after every census. The current freeze on seat readjustment was extended until the first census after 2026 to avoid penalising states with better population control.

Delimitation Commissioninstitution

A statutory body constituted under the Delimitation Act to determine the number and boundaries of constituencies for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies; its orders have the force of law and cannot be questioned in any court.

84th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002act

Extended the freeze on Lok Sabha seat numbers until the first Census after 2026, again to protect states with lower population growth from losing representation.

42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976act

Froze the total number of Lok Sabha and state assembly seats at their 1971 Census levels until the first Census after 2000, to not penalise states that performed well in family planning.

Cooperative Federalismterm

A governance model where Centre and States collaborate on national priorities; PM's advisory to States on AI and water conservation exemplifies this approach.

Linked previous-year questions

The UPSC questions this story connects to.

  1. Consider the following statements regarding 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam': 1. Provisions will come into effect from the 18th Lok Sabha. 2. This will be in force for 15 years after becoming an Act. 3. There are provisions for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes Women within the quota reserved for the Scheduled Castes. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1 and 3 only

    • a.1, 2 and 3
    • b.1 and 2 only
    • c.2 and 3 only ✓
    • d.1 and 3 only
    Polity · UPSC 2024

  2. Consider the following statements: I. On the dissolution of the House of the People, the Speaker shall not vacate his/her office until immediately before the first meeting of the House of the People after the dissolution. II. According to the provisions of the Constitution of India, a Member of the House of the People on being elected as Speaker shall resign from his/her political party Immediately. III. The Speaker of the House of the People may be removed from his/her office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then Members of the House, provided that no resolution shall be moved unless at least fourteen days' notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) I and II only (b) II and III only (c) I and III only (d) I, II and III

    • a.I and II only
    • b.II and III only
    • c.I and III only ✓
    • d.I, II and III
    Polity · UPSC 2025

  3. Consider the following statements: 1. In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in one Lok Sabha election from three constituencies. 2. In the 1991 Lok Sabha Election, Shri Devi Lal contested from three Lok Sabha constituencies. 3. As per the existing rules, if a candidate contests in one Lok Sabha election from many constituencies, his/her party should bear the cost of bye-elections to the constituencies vacated by him/her in the event of him/her winning in all the constituencies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) 2 and 3

    • a.1 only
    • b.2 only ✓
    • c.1 and 3
    • d.2 and 3
    Polity · UPSC 2021

  4. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. A Bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation. 2. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    • a.1 only
    • b.2 only ✓
    • c.Both 1 and 2
    • d.Neither 1 nor 2
    Polity · UPSC 2016

  5. Consider the following statements: 1. The Oil Pool Account of Government of India was dismantled with effect from 1-4-2002 2. Subsidies on PDS kerosene and domestic LPG are borne by Consolidated Fund of India 3. An expert committee headed by Dr. R. A. Mashelkar to formulate a national auto fuel policy recommended that Bharat Stage - II Emission Norms should be applied throughout the country by 1 April, 2004 Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

    • a.1 and 2 only ✓
    • b.2 and 3 only
    • c.1 and 3 only
    • d.1, 2 and 3
    Economy · UPSC 2004

  6. With reference to the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements: 1. A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its dissolution. 2. A bill passed by the Lok Sabha and pending in the Rajya Sabha lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. 3. A bill in regard to which the President of India notified his/her intention to summon the Houses to a joint sitting lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 3 only

    • a.1 only
    • b.1 and 2 ✓
    • c.2 and 3
    • d.3 only
    Polity · UPSC 2024

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