Introduction
The Government of India is set to transform its electoral framework by earmarking one‑third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures solely for women. This landmark reform— the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam—will take effect alongside the next delimitation exercise, which depends on data from the upcoming 2027 Census. The reservation will be implemented in time for the 2029 general election.
Background: The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam
Enacted in September 2023, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam mandates that 33% of parliamentary and assembly constituencies be reserved for female candidates. However, these provisions will only become operational after a fresh delimitation, anchored on the most recent Census figures.
Why the 2027 Census Matters
The Census—scheduled to record India’s population as of March 1, 2027—will be the first fully digital enumeration, using mobile apps for data capture. With caste enumeration included, the real‑time demographic profile will guide the delimitation panel in redrawing constituency borders and distributing reserved seats accurately.
Understanding the Delimitation Process
Under Article 82 of the Constitution, delimitation adjusts the allocation of Lok Sabha and assembly seats after each Census. Since the last boundary revision relied on 1971 figures, many regions currently sit under‑ or over‑represented. The new exercise will rebalance seats based on 2027 data, ensuring constituencies reflect today’s population spread.
Addressing Southern States’ Concerns
Several southern states worry that recalibration might shrink their share of Lok Sabha seats as faster‑growing northern states gain ground. The government has reassured all regions that no state will lose seats on a proportional basis; any changes will respect current ratios to maintain equitable representation.
Legislative Steps Ahead
Implementing post‑2027 delimitation requires Parliament to enact a fresh Delimitation Act. This law will appoint an independent Delimitation Commission to oversee boundary revisions. Should no new Act pass by 2026, the existing freeze will lapse automatically, triggering a recalculation of seats according to population growth.
Constitutional Safeguards
Article 81(2)(a) of the Constitution ensures that seat allocation maintains parity between state populations and their parliamentary representation. While small states (under six million people) receive special consideration, the core principle is democratic fairness: one person, one vote, one value.