Why it matters
Populations shift over time. Without redrawing, some constituencies become much larger than others, weakening the principle of one person, one vote.
Who does it
A Delimitation Commission, set up under a law passed by Parliament, draws the boundaries. Its orders have the force of law and are not open to challenge in court.
Past exercises
Commissions were set up in 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002. The 2002 Commission's orders were implemented in 2008, and seat allocation among states was frozen on the basis of earlier censuses. Reserved seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are also fixed during delimitation.
What is debated
The freeze on state-wise seat allocation is linked to the first census after 2026. How seats should be allocated afterwards, especially between states with different population growth, is a live policy debate. Verify the latest position before publishing.
Frequently asked questions
What is delimitation?
Delimitation is the redrawing of constituency boundaries so each seat has roughly equal population, done by a Delimitation Commission.
Who does delimitation?
An independent Delimitation Commission set up under an Act of Parliament; its orders cannot be challenged in court.
Is the number of seats frozen?
Allocation of seats among states is frozen under the Constitution until the first census after 2026; check the latest status before publishing.