Delimitation Commission of India - UPSC Notes

Delimitation Commission of India: The Delimitation Commission is an autonomous body responsible for redrawing the boundaries of constituencies in India, both for the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and State Legislative Assemblies. The commission's work is crucial in maintaining the integrity of India’s electoral system by ensuring that each constituency has a roughly equal number of voters, in line with the latest census data.

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Meaning of Delimitation

Need for Delimitation

• Population Changes: Over time, the population distribution in different parts of a country changes. Delimitation ensures that each elected representative represents a roughly equal number of people.
• Fair Representation: It ensures that no region is over-represented or under-represented in the legislative bodies, thus maintaining a balance in the democratic process.
• Electoral Efficiency: By redrawing boundaries based on current data, delimitation helps in organizing efficient and manageable elections.

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Provisions for Delimitation

• Article 82: This article mandates the readjustment of constituencies after every census.
• Article 170: It relates to the delimitation of constituencies for the State Legislative Assemblies.
• Delimitation Act, 2002: This act provides the legal framework for the constitution and the functioning of the Delimitation Commission. The 84th Amendment Act froze the delimitation process based on the 1971 Census.

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Delimitation Commission of India

Functions of the Delimitation Commission of India

• To determine the number and boundaries of constituencies in a state.
• To identify the seats to be reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• To make necessary readjustments in the constituencies due to population changes.
• To determine the number of seats to be allocated to each state in the Lok Sabha and the state Legislative Assemblies.
• To provide for the readjustment of the territorial constituencies in the states based on the latest census figures.

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Powers of Delimitation Commission

• Authority to Redraw Boundaries: The Commission has the power to determine the number and boundaries of constituencies, including reserved constituencies, based on the latest census figures.
• Legal Binding of Orders: The orders passed by the Delimitation Commission are legally binding and cannot be questioned in any court of law.
• Judicial Independence: The decisions of the commission are final and not subject to judicial review, ensuring the process is free from interference.
• Publication and Implementation: The commission’s orders are published in the Official Gazette, after which they come into effect and are implemented in subsequent elections.

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Delimitation

Q. With reference to the Delimitation Commission consider the following statements: (2012)

1. The orders of the Delimitation Commission cannot be challenged in a Court of Law.
2. When the orders of the Delimitation Commission are laid before the Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly, they cannot effect any modification in the orders.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2