THE CONSTITUTION (ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIRST AMENDMENT) BILL, 2026

NEWS: The Union Government has proposed The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty First Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Delimitation Bill 2026.

Key highlights of the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill

• Increases the strength of the Lok Sabhaà from the existing 543 members to 850 members (815 from states and 35 from UTs).
• Proposes to delete third provision to Article 82 which mandates that the next delimitation exercise shall be undertaken on the basis of the first Census conducted after the year 2026.
• Enables delimitation to be carried out using Census data available prior to the 2026–27 Census.
• Amend Article 334AàAllow implementation of one-third women’s reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies immediately after delimitation.

Key Highlights of Delimitation Bill 2026

• It will repeal + replace the Delimitation Act, 2002.
• Union Government to constitute DC which will be chaired by a person who is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court.
• DC will readjust the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha+ State Assemblies and redraw constituencies on the basis of the latest census figures.
• Orders issued by DC, once published in the Gazette of Indiaà will have the force of law and cannot be called into question in any court.