Delimitation

Definition

The process of fixing the number and boundaries of territorial constituencies for the Lok Sabha and the State legislative assemblies, carried out by a Delimitation Commission.

Key points

• Article 82 requires readjustment of constituencies after every census, through a Delimitation Act made by Parliament.
• A Delimitation Commission, headed by a retired or sitting Supreme Court judge, carries out the exercise; its orders have the force of law and cannot be questioned in court.
• The Chief Election Commissioner and the State Election Commissioners are associate members of the Commission.
• The 42nd Amendment, 1976, froze the allocation of seats based on the 1971 census; the 84th and 87th Amendments extended the freeze until after the first census taken after 2026.
• The freeze was meant to avoid penalising States that controlled population growth.

Why it matters for CAPF

The seat freeze (based on the 1971 census), the role of the Commission, and the bar on judicial challenge are commonly tested electoral facts; a fresh delimitation is due after 2026, so verify the latest position on the post-2026 exercise and any change to seat numbers.

Common confusion

Delimitation redraws boundaries and reallocates seats; it is not the same as reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Tribes, though the Commission also fixes reserved seats. The current seat numbers are frozen, not the boundaries.

Parent note

electoral system and reforms