Delimitation Bill: 5 advantages and 5 disadvantages of increasing Lok Sabha seats! How important is it to increase the number of MPs from 543 to 840 in the delimitation bill?

On 16 April 2026, the government has introduced three constitutional amendment bills. Through these, it is proposed to increase the total seats of Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 (815 for states + 35 for union territories). This will be based on the 2011 census. Its objective is that without reducing the seats of any existing MP, 33% women’s reservation can be implemented from the 2029 elections. The government says that every state will get about 50% increase on the existing seats, so that no state is at a loss. Now the question arises whether there will be advantages or disadvantages of increasing the Lok Sabha? Know in the explainer…

Question 1: What are the advantages of a larger Lok Sabha?
answer: There are 5 advantages of a bigger Lok Sabha…

1. The principle of one person, one vote will be strengthened: Currently, there are an average of 22.93 lakh people on one Lok Sabha seat. After 850 seats, this average will come down to around 14.5 lakhs. Every MP will be able to serve the small population of his area in a better way.
2. Women reservation implemented without reducing anyone’s seat: 33% seats will be reserved for women, but the existing seats of male MPs will remain intact. This will increase women’s participation in politics without opposition from men.
3. Justice to North India and populous states: The growing population of states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan will get more representation. UP’s share may increase from 14.73% to 16.24%. This will make democracy more inclusive.
4. The ratio of states remains intact: The government’s plan is to increase the seats by 50%, so southern states will also get additional seats. If we understand by example, the seats of Tamil Nadu will increase from 39 to 58-59 or the seats of Kerala will increase from 20 to 30. No state will decline at all.
5. Better Governance and Development: MPs will be able to focus more in smaller areas and local issues will be resolved better.

Question 2: So are there any disadvantages of a larger Lok Sabha?
answer: Like the advantages, there are also 5 disadvantages of a bigger Lok Sabha…

1. spend too much: Already Rs 8-9 crores are spent on one day sitting of Parliament. With 850 MPs, this expenditure can increase further by about Rs 3 crore per day. The annual additional expenditure will be Rs 1,171 crore (only for Parliament). Adding 4,000 new members to the state assemblies will also result in an additional burden of Rs 5,000-8,000 crore annually.
2. North-South divide will increase: If based on pure population, the total share of southern states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana may reduce from 24.3% to 20.7%. The share of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in North India will increase from 38.1% to 43.1%. South is saying that they did family planning, yet they are getting punished.
3. Parliament functioning affected: The House of 850 members may become more noisy and unruly than before. The debate will last long and it will be difficult to take decisions.
4. Danger of Political Manipulation: While deciding the boundaries of the Delimitation Commission, techniques like packing-cracking-stacking can be used, as happened in Assam 2023. The opposition is calling it ‘gerrymandering’.
5. Impact on federal structure: Chief Ministers of southern states say that this will weaken the federal principle and give more power to the North.

Question 3: Will the government’s 50% increase formula overcome these losses?
answer: Home Minister Amit Shah and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju have given assurance that every state will get 50% increase in the existing ratio. That means no state will suffer loss, but this word is not clearly written in the draft of the bills, hence the opposition is worried. If the delimitation is done on the pure data of 2011 census then the percentage of the South may decrease.

Question 4: What does this mean for the common man? Will democracy be strong or weak?
answer: Experts say two things on this – advantages and disadvantages.

• Advantages: More seats means more representation and better democracy. Women’s voice will be strong and justice will be done according to the population.
• Disadvantages: Expenditure will increase, North-South tension will increase and the influence of Parliament may reduce. If implemented properly, the country’s democratic system will be strengthened, but if it is a political trick, the federal spirit will weaken.

If the bills are passed in the special session of the Lok Sabha, then the Delimitation Commission will be formed. The new seats and women’s reservation will be implemented from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Reservation will be for 15 years.