On April 16, 2026, Home Minister Amit Shah clearly said in the Lok Sabha that there will be an increase of more than 50% in the Lok Sabha seats of five states of South India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala). No state will be at loss. He said that ‘there is no conspiracy against the South, rather every state will get a proportionate increase.’ This statement is putting an end to all the speculations that the new delimitation will reduce the political power of the South.
How many seats are there in South India now and how many will there be after the new delimitation?
Of the total 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, five southern states have a total of 129 seats, which is 23.76%. After the new delimitation, there will be a total of 816 seats in the Lok Sabha and South India will have a total of 195 seats (23.90%). This increase has been given to each state separately:
- Tamil Nadu: Increase from 39 to 59 (highest gain, share in the House 7.23%)
- Karnataka: Increase from 28 to 42 seats
- Andhra Pradesh: Increase from 25 to 38 seats
- Telangana: Increase from 17 to 26 seats
- Kerala: Increase from 20 to 30 seats
That means 50% seats will increase in all the states.
What is this 50% increase formula and why was it adopted?
The government says that every state will get about 50% additional seats on top of its existing seats, so that their percentage share in the House remains exactly the same or increases slightly. Giving an example, Amit Shah said:
- Karnataka’s share 5.15% to 5.14% (almost equal)
- Andhra Pradesh 4.60% to 4.65%
- Telangana 3.13% to 3.18%
- Tamil Nadu 7.18% to 7.23%
The purpose of this formula is that the southern states that practice family planning should not be punished and India, which is responsible for increasing population, should also get justice. The reason for increasing the total seats to 816 is also clear, that is, to implement 33% women reservation, reservation can be given without reducing the seat of any male MP.
Are the South’s concerns completely misplaced?
Amit Shah said that ‘the power of the South will increase, not decrease.’ But opposition parties like Congress, DMK and TDP are still cautious. He says that the formula of ‘50% increase’ is not written in the draft of the bill. This is just the assurance of Amit Shah. If later delimitation is done on pure census basis then the percentage may change.
What effect will this have on the common man and politics?
- Benefit: South India will have 66 additional MPs. His voice will become stronger in Delhi. Women’s reservation will also be implemented without reducing anyone’s seat.
- Political equation: Southern parties can win more seats in the 2029 elections. Both NDA and INDIA alliance benefit.
- Federal spirit: The North-South dispute may subside, but if the Delimitation Commission takes a different decision later, the debate may erupt again.
If all three bills are passed in the special session of Parliament, a Delimitation Commission will be formed. The new seats and women’s reservation will be implemented from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.