GS2 · 10 marks · 150 words

Delimitation upholds the idea of 'one citizen, one vote', but its implications go against the principles of federalism. Comment.

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

FederalismElections and RepresentationCentre-State RelationsParliament

Syllabus: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

How toppers approached it

From all 3 answers · about 170 words · 33% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A constitutional or legal provision3 of 3

Body

  • Points2 of 3
  • Points and prose1 of 3

Close

  • A way forward3 of 3

The toppers’ answers

Pakshal SecretryAIR 8 · CSE 2025 · 168 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a constitutional or legal provision

Article 82 allows for formulation of delimitation commission after every census for seat adjustment.

Body · points

Uphold idea of 'one citizen, one vote'

  1. To ensure equal representation for all.
  2. Solves problem of different value of one vote (e.g.) Kerala - 1 MP = 17 lakh votes UP - 1 MP = 40 lakh votes (Different vote value)
  3. Upholds idea of Art 326 → equality of votes.
  4. Ensures inclusion via Reservation based on population
  5. Ensures inter-state & intra-state equality of votes.

Goes Against federalism

  1. Would benefit some states more than others eg Ashwini Deshpande calculates South to loose 6 seats vs UP/Bihar to gain 4 seats
  2. Against principle of federal equality eg US upper house → each state = 2 seats
  3. Discriminates against state that followed population stabilisation
  4. Violation of rights of states → ↓ fall in representation

Way forward

  1. Balancing population and federal ideas - Middle path
  2. Freeze for another 30 years (MK Stalin, TN CM)

Close · a way forward

None written.

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The federal structure, its asymmetries and the balance the Constitution strikes.

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