Question map
The allocation of seats in the present Lok Sabha is based on which one of the following Census ?
Explanation
The allocation of seats in the present Lok Sabha is based on the 1971 Census. Under Article 82 of the Constitution, the allocation of seats to states and the division of states into territorial constituencies are to be readjusted after each census [t5, t6]. However, the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 froze the total number of seats in the Lok Sabha at 543 based on the 1971 Census figures to encourage population control measures [t1, t3]. This freeze was originally intended to last until the year 2000 but was subsequently extended by the 84th Amendment Act of 2001 until the first census after 2026 [t1, t8]. While the 87th Amendment Act of 2003 allowed for the delimitation of constituency boundaries and reservation of seats for SCs/STs based on the 2001 Census, it did not alter the total number of seats allocated to each state, which remains fixed as per the 1971 Census [c1, t3, t7].
Sources
- [1] https://www.iipsindia.ac.in/sites/default/files/patel-sekher-2024-parliamentary-delimitation.pdf
- [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 71: Delimitation Commission of India > CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS > p. 530