Delimitation Commission of India

Introduction

The Delimitation Commission of India is a powerful and independent body constituted by the Government of India under the Delimitation Commission Acts. Its primary task is to redraw the boundaries of various Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies based on the latest census to ensure fair representation for the population.

Functions of the Delimitation Commission

• To demarcate and redraw boundaries of parliamentary and assembly constituencies.
• To ensure that each constituency has approximately equal population for balanced representation.
• To adjust the number of reserved constituencies for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) based on population data.
• To prevent malpractices such as gerrymandering and ensure transparency in the electoral process.

Legal Basis

The Delimitation Commission is constituted under the provisions of the Delimitation Commission Acts, passed by the Parliament after every Census. The Commission works under the authority of the Election Commission of India and follows constitutional guidelines under Articles 82 and 170:

• Article 82: Provides for readjustment of Lok Sabha seats after each Census.
• Article 170: Provides for readjustment of Legislative Assembly constituencies after each Census.

Composition of the Delimitation Commission

• Typically chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge.
• Includes the Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner nominated by the CEC.
• Includes the respective State Election Commissioners as members.

Working and Process

1. The government constitutes the Delimitation Commission after Census data is published.
2. The Commission drafts the new delimitation orders based on population changes.
3. Public hearings are conducted to get feedback from stakeholders.
4. The Commission finalizes the delimitation orders.
5. The orders have the force of law and cannot be challenged in any court.
6. The Election Commission implements the new boundaries in upcoming elections.

Important Delimitation Commissions in India

• First Commission (1952): Delimited constituencies after the first Census.
• Second Commission (1963): Based on the 1961 Census.
• Third Commission (1973): Based on the 1971 Census.
• Fourth Commission (2002): Based on the 2001 Census but implementation was frozen until 2026 for population control reasons.

Significance of Delimitation

• Ensures equitable representation of the population in Parliament and State Assemblies.
• Maintains the principle of "one person, one vote".
• Adjusts for demographic changes, migration, and population growth.
• Prevents political manipulation in drawing constituency boundaries.

Previous Year Questions

• SSC CGL 2019: Under which Article of the Constitution is the Delimitation Commission constituted?
• Article 82 and Article 170
• RRB JE 2017: What is the main function of the Delimitation Commission?
• To redraw the boundaries of parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on the latest Census
• HSSC 2020: Can the orders of the Delimitation Commission be challenged in a court of law?
• No, the orders have the force of law and cannot be challenged.
• UPSC 2021: Who usually heads the Delimitation Commission?
• A retired Supreme Court judge
• SSC CHSL 2018: Why was the implementation of the Fourth Delimitation Commission frozen until 2026?
• To encourage population control and maintain balance among states with different growth rates.
• RRB ALP 2020: Which constitutional authority supervises the work of the Delimitation Commission?
• The Election Commission of India

Conclusion

The Delimitation Commission plays a critical role in ensuring fair and equitable representation in the democratic process of India by periodically redrawing constituency boundaries in line with population changes. It strengthens the foundation of representative democracy by maintaining electoral balance.