Context

• The principle of democratic representation in India, as outlined in Article 81, requires that parliamentary seats be distributed among States in proportion to their population.
• This principle functioned effectively in earlier decades when population differences were limited.
• However, with India now the world’s most populous nation and significant demographic divergence across States, strict adherence to population-based allocation raises concerns of fairness.
• The upcoming Census 2026 and subsequent delimitation exercise present an opportunity to reassess this framework.

Changing Demographic Realities

• The 84th Constitutional Amendment Act (2002) extended the freeze on parliamentary seats to encourage population stabilisation.
• Over time, most States have made progress toward achieving the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.1, the level required for stable population growth.
• Yet, disparities persist, with some States maintaining higher fertility rates than others. This uneven progress has created a paradox.
• States that achieved early success in controlling population growth now exhibit lower population increases, while others continue to grow rapidly.
• If representation is based solely on population, high-fertility States could gain greater political representation, while low-fertility States may lose influence despite better governance outcomes. This imbalance challenges the principle of equitable representation.

The Case for Demographic Performance

• A more balanced approach involves incorporating Demographic Performance (DemPer) into seat allocation.
• This method draws from the framework of the Finance Commission, which uses both population size and demographic efficiency in distributing resources.
• Similarly, delimitation can combine population with performance indicators.
• Under this approach, the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats remain unchanged, while additional seats are allocated based on both population and DemPer.
• Two components define DemPer: early achievement of replacement-level fertility (with a 10% weightage) and the rate of fertility decline between 2005 and 2021 (with a 90% weightage).
• This model ensures that all States gain seats, with more populous States receiving higher absolute increases, while protecting the proportional share of better-performing States.
• It maintains the dominance of population as a criterion but introduces fairness by rewarding sustained efforts in population control. 

Federalism and Democratic Equity

• India’s democracy is not only about numerical equality but also about ensuring a fair voice for all States.
• A purely population-based system risks undermining federal stability and creating regional resentment.
• Recognising demographic performance aligns representation with good governance and reinforces incentives for responsible policymaking.
• Importantly, the issue extends beyond a simple north-south divide, as several northern and smaller States have also achieved significant progress in controlling population growth.
• By balancing democratic equality with federal fairness, the delimitation process can enhance the legitimacy of representation while preserving national unity.

Determining the Size of the Lok Sabha

• Another key consideration is the size of the Lok Sabha. In 1971, each Member of Parliament represented around 10–11 lakh people.
• With India’s population now exceeding 1.4 billion, expanding the number of seats is necessary to maintain effective representation.
• However, an excessively large legislature may weaken the quality of debate and decision-making.
• A cap of around 700 seats offers a practical compromise, ensuring adequate representation while preserving the efficiency and deliberative capacity of Parliament.

Conclusion

• The forthcoming delimitation exercise represents a critical moment for India’s democracy.
• While population-based representation remains essential, it must be complemented by considerations of demographic performance.
• Integrating DemPer into seat allocation provides a balanced approach that rewards population control efforts, safeguards equitable representation, and strengthens the foundations of cooperative federalism.
• Such a framework ensures that democracy reflects not only numbers but also fairness, promoting both national unity and institutional stability in an increasingly diverse and populous nation.