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Implications of Increasing Size of Lok Sabha

21 May 2026 Source

Exam Summary

The article discusses proposed Bills, including the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, aimed at increasing the Lok Sabha's size from 550 to 850 members. It proposes basing state-wise seat allocation on population using a Census specified by Parliament (likely 2011 for the next delimitation) and introduces a 1/3rd reservation for women, effective after delimitation and valid for 15 years. These changes would alter state representation, with states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar gaining significant power, and remove the current freeze on Lok Sabha seats.

GS Paper II - Indian Polity

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Exam Themes

Prelims Takeaways

  • Proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats from 550 to 850.
  • Proposed 1/3rd reservation for women in Lok Sabha, effective after delimitation and valid for 15 years.
  • Delimitation to be based on a Census specified by Parliament (next proposed 2011 Census).
  • Impact on state representation states like UP, Bihar, Rajasthan gain; Kerala, Tamil Nadu lose.
  • Current freezing of Lok Sabha seats until the first Census after 2026 is proposed to be removed.
  • Provisions extended to Union Territories with legislatures (Delhi, J&K, Puducherry).

Elimination Traps

  • Confusing the proposed Census year for delimitation (2011) with the latest Census (2021).
  • Misremembering the duration of women's reservation (15 years).
  • Assuming the Bills are already enacted laws rather than proposed legislation.

Static Concepts

  • Delimitation
  • Women's Reservation
  • Census
  • Proportional Representation

Probable Question Areas

Question areas
  • Constitutional provisions related to Lok Sabha composition and delimitation (Articles 81, 82, 330, 332).
Question areas
  • Role and powers of the Delimitation Commission.
Question areas
  • History of delimitation exercises and related constitutional amendments (e.g., 84th, 87th Amendments).
Question areas
  • Arguments for and against increasing Lok Sabha size and women's reservation.
Conceptual Recurrence

Related Prelims PYQs

Ranked by topic match, theme match, recency, and recurring UPSC patterns.

UPSC Prelims 2024 Indian Polity

Consider the following statements regarding 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam':

1. Provisions will come into effect from the 18th Lok Sabha.
2. This will be in force for 15 years after becoming an Act.
3. There are provisions for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes Women within the quota reserved for the Scheduled Castes.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A. 1, 2 and 3
  2. B. 1 and 2 only
  3. C. 2 and 3 only
  4. D. 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Correct answer
C. 2 and 3 only

* Statement 1 is incorrect: There is no specific information available about which Lok Sabha session the provisions will be implemented.  * Statement 2 is correct: The reservation will be provided for a period of 15 years. However, it shall continue till such date as determined by a law made by Parliament. * Statement 3 is also correct: In the seats reserved for SCs/STs, the Bill sought to provide one-third of the seats to be reserved for women on a rotational basis.

Indian Polity & Governance Current Affairs Parliamentary System & Procedures Constitutional Amendments & Structure
UPSC Prelims 2020 Indian Polity

Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in:

  1. A. the matter of creating new All India Services
  2. B. amending the Constitution
  3. C. the removal of the government
  4. D. making cut motions
Explanation
Correct answer
B. amending the Constitution

The Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, the two houses of India's Parliament, have different powers and functions. While the Lok Sabha is the lower house with members directly elected by the people, the Rajya Sabha is the upper house with members indirectly elected by the states. However, when it comes to amending the Constitution, both houses have equal powers. According to Article 368 of the Indian Constitution, any amendment to the Constitution requires the approval of both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. Therefore, for a constitutional amendment to be valid, it must be approved by both houses of Parliament, giving them equal powers in the process.

Indian Polity & Governance Parliamentary System & Procedures Constitutional Amendments & Structure
UPSC Prelims 2024 Indian Polity

As per Article 368 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution by way of:

1. Addition
2. Variation
3. Repeal

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A. 1 and 2 only
  2. B. 2 and 3 only
  3. C. 1 and 3 only
  4. D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct answer
D. 1, 2 and 3

Article 368 of the Indian Constitution outlines the process for amending the Constitution. It grants Parliament the authority to amend any provision of the Constitution by way of: 1. Addition * Parliament can add new provisions or articles to the Constitution that were not originally included. This allows the Constitution to evolve by incorporating new concepts or requirements. * Example: The 93rd Amendment Act, 2005 added Article 15(5), which allows for reservations in educational institutions for backward classes. 2. Variation * Parliament has the power to modify or alter existing provisions of the Constitution. This means changes can be made to existing articles without removing them entirely. * Example: The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 altered several provisions, including changes to the Preamble and the relationship between the President and Parliament. 3. Repeal * Parliament can also repeal provisions of the Constitution, effectively removing them. This allows for the removal of outdated or irrelevant provisions. * Example: The 26th Amendment Act, 1971 abolished the privy purse that was being paid to former rulers of princely states. _Therefore, the correct answer is All of the above (1, 2, and 3)._

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Consider the following statements:

I. If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People has become subject to disqualification under the Tenth Schedule, the President’s decision in accordance with the opinion of the Council of Union Ministers shall be final.
II. There is no mention of the word 'political party' in the Constitution of India.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A. I only
  2. B. II only
  3. C. Both I and II
  4. D. Neither I nor II
Explanation
Correct answer
D. Neither I nor II

Statement I: Incorrect
The decision on disqualification under the Tenth Schedule is made by the Speaker or Chairman, not the President or the Union Council of Ministers. ❌ Statement II: Incorrect
The word ‘political party’ is explicitly mentioned in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. Therefore, neither statement is correct.

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Consider the following statements:

1. A bill amending the Constitution requires a prior recommendation of the President of India.
2. When a Constitution Amendment Bill is presented to the President of India, it is obligatory for the President of India to give his/her assent.
3. A Constitution Amendment Bill must be passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha by a special majority and there is no provision for joint sitting.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A. 1 and 2 only
  2. B. 2 and 3 only
  3. C. 1 and 3 only
  4. D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct answer
B. 2 and 3 only

Statement 1 is incorrect. A Constitution Amendment Bill can be introduced either by a minister or by a private member and does not require prior permission from the President. Statement 2 is correct. The 24th Amendment of the Indian Constitution amended Article 368 to provide expressly that Parliament has the power to amend any provision of the Constitution and the President is obliged to give his/her assent. Statement 3 is also correct. A Constitution Amendment Bill must be passed by a special majority in both houses and there is no provision for a joint sitting in case of disagreement. So, the second and third statements are correct.

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UPSC Prelims 2021 Indian Polity

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model?
1. As regards legislation, the British Parliament is supreme or sovereign but in India, the power of the Parliament to legislate is limited.
2. In India, matters related to the constitutionality of the Amendment of an Act of the Parliament are referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

  1. A. 1 Only
  2. B. 2 Only
  3. C. Both 1 and 2
  4. D. Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct answer
C. Both 1 and 2

Statement 1 is Correct: The key difference lies in Parliamentary Supremacy. In the British model, Parliament is considered sovereign. This means its legislative powers are supreme, and its laws cannot be challenged by any other body. In India, the Constitution is supreme. Parliament's power to legislate is limited by the Constitution. The judiciary can review laws passed by Parliament and strike them down if they violate the Constitution. Statement 2 is also Correct: This is a specific example of the limitation on Parliament's power in India. The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has the authority to review amendments made to existing laws (Acts) and determine if they are constitutional. This power of judicial review ensures the Constitution remains the supreme law.

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Right to vote and to be elected in India is a -

  1. A. Fundamental Right
  2. B. Natural Right
  3. C. Constitutional Right
  4. D. Legal Right
Explanation
Correct answer
C. Constitutional Right

* The right to vote and to be elected in India is a constitutional right, enshrined in Article 326 of the Indian Constitution. * Article 326 grants the right to vote to every Indian citizen based on universal adult suffrage, ensuring that elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures are conducted democratically. * The Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1988, reduced the minimum voting age for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies from 21 years to 18 years. This amendment aimed to enhance youth participation in the electoral process and strengthen democratic representation. * While the right to vote is a constitutional right, it is subject to reasonable restrictions based on factors such as non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime, or corrupt practices as prescribed by law.

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UPSC Prelims 2014 Indian Polity

Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection?

  1. A. Second Schedule
  2. B. Fifth Schedule
  3. C. Eighth Schedule
  4. D. Tenth Schedule
Explanation
Correct answer
D. Tenth Schedule

The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection. The Tenth Schedule, also known as the Anti-Defection Law, was added to the Constitution through the 52nd Amendment Act in 1985. It lays down the process by which legislators may be disqualified on the grounds of defection from the political party they were elected under.

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The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the -

  1. A. Lok Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership
  2. B. Lok Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its total membership
  3. C. Rajya Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership
  4. D. Rajya Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting
Explanation
Correct answer
D. Rajya Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting

As per Article 249 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament of India can legislate on a subject in the State List if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution stating that it is necessary in the national interest. This resolution must be approved by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. Once passed, this resolution empowers Parliament to make laws on the specified subject for a period of one year, which can be extended further by passing another resolution.

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Which of the following statements are correct in respect of a Money Bill in the Parliament?

1. Article 109 mentions special procedure in respect of Money Bills.
2. A Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Council of States.
3. The Rajya Sabha can either approve the Bill or suggest changes but cannot reject it.
4. Amendments to a Money Bill suggested by the Rajya Sabha have to be accepted by the Lok Sabha.

Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. A. 1 and 2 only
  2. B. 2 and 3 only
  3. C. 1, 2 and 3
  4. D. 1, 3 and 4
Explanation
Correct answer
C. 1, 2 and 3

* Article 109 of the Indian Constitution specifically deals with the special procedure for Money Bills. (Correct) * Article 109(1) states that a Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). It can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha (House of the People). (Correct) *  Article 109(5) states that the Rajya Sabha can't reject a Money Bill. It can only make recommendations within 14 days, which the Lok Sabha may or may not accept. (Correct) * The Lok Sabha has the ultimate power regarding Money Bills. It is not bound to accept any amendments suggested by the Rajya Sabha. (Incorrect) Therefore, statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct.

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