EAC-PM recommends multi-factor criteria for delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies
Delimitation directly affects political representation, federal balance, and the electoral process — all key GS II themes. The EAC-PM's recommendation to use multi-factor criteria (population, urban share, SC/ST share, linguistic factors) challenges the conventional single-criterion (population-only) approach and has significant implications for southern states fearing reduced representation. This is likely to be a major issue once the freeze on delimitation (post-2026 census) is lifted.
Key facts
- EAC-PM (Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister) recommends multi-factor criteria for delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies.
- Proposed criteria include: population distribution, urban share, SC share, ST share, linguistic polarisation, and linguistic diversity.
- Current delimitation freeze lasts until 2026 (based on 1971 census seats); next delimitation expected post-2026 census.
- Objective stated: increase voter turnout and make electoral process more representative.
- Southern states have historically opposed pure population-based delimitation fearing seat loss due to better family planning outcomes.
- Delimitation is governed under Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution and the Delimitation Act.
The criteria include population distribution, urban share, SC share, ST share, linguistic polarisation, and linguistic diversity. The move is aimed at increasing voter turnout and making the electoral process more representative.
Concepts to know
Delimitation is the act of redrawing the boundaries of parliamentary and assembly constituencies, usually after a census. It is carried out by a Delimitation Commission under the Delimitation Act to ensure population-proportional representation.
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.
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.
The Delimitation Act (most recently 2002) provides the legal framework for constituting a Delimitation Commission and the procedure for readjusting constituency boundaries based on census data.
The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) is a non-constitutional, advisory body that provides independent economic and policy advice to the Prime Minister of India on a range of issues.
Article 170 provides for the composition of State Legislative Assemblies and mandates readjustment of assembly constituencies after each census, mirroring Article 82 at the state level.
Linked previous-year questions
The UPSC questions this story connects to.
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 2021Consider the following: 1. Demographic performance 2. Forest and ecology 3. Governance reforms 4. Stable government 5. Tax and fiscal efforts For horizontal tax devolution, the Fifteenth Finance Commission used how many of the above as criteria other than population area and income distance? (a) Only two (b) Only three (c) Only four (d) All five
- a.Only two
- b.Only three ✓
- c.Only four
- d.All five
Polity · UPSC 2023Consider the following statements in respect of election to the President of India: 1. The members nominated to either House of the Parliament or the Legislative Assemblies of States are also eligible to be included in the Electoral College. 2. Higher the number of elective Assembly seats, higher is the value of vote of each MLA of that State. 3. The value of vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is greater than that of Kerala. 4. The value of vote of each MLA of Puducherry is higher than that of Arunachal Pradesh because the ratio of total population to total number of elective seats in Puducherry is greater as compared to Arunachal Pradesh. How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four
- a.Only one ✓
- b.Only two
- c.Only three
- d.All four
Polity · UPSC 2023Which of the following is/are among the noticeable features of the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission? 1. A design for the Goods and Services Tax, and a compensation package linked to adherence to the proposed design. 2. A design for the creation of lakhs of jobs in the next ten years in consonance with India's demographic dividend. 3. Devolution of a specified share of central taxes to local bodies as grants. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
- a.1 only
- b.2 and 3 only
- c.1 and 3 only ✓
- d.1, 2 and 3
Polity · UPSC 2012In the areas covered under the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, what is the role/power of Gram Sabha? 1. Gram Sabha has the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas. 2. Gram Sabha has the ownership of minor forest produce. 3. Recommendation of Gram Sabha is required for granting prospecting licence or mining lease for any mineral in the Scheduled Areas. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
- a.1 only
- b.1 and 2 only ✓
- c.2 and 3 only
- d.1, 2 and 3
Polity · UPSC 2012Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? 1. It has recommended grants of Rs. 4,800 crores from the year 2022-23 to the year 2025-26 for incentivizing States to enhance educational outcomes. 2. 45% of the net proceeds of Union taxes are to be shared with States. 3. Rs. 45,000 crores are to be kept as performance-based incentive for all States for carrying out agricultural reforms. 4. It reintroduced tax effort criteria to reward fiscal performance. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) I, II and III (b) I, II and IV (c) I, III and IV (d) II, III and IV
- a.I, II and III
- b.I, II and IV
- c.I, III and IV ✓
- d.II, III and IV
Economy · UPSC 2025
Get the full brief — free
Every story syllabus-mapped, the exact NCERT page to revise, a daily MCQ quiz and more — start free, no card needed.
Start free →