What Is Constitution Of India Article 82?

Constitution Of India Article 82: Readjustment After Each Census

Upon the completion of each census, the allocation of seats in the House of the People to the States and the division of each State into territorial constituencies shall be readjusted by such authority and in such manner as Parliament may by law determine:

Provided that such readjustment shall not affect representation in the House of the People until the dissolution of the then existing House:

{1}Provided further that such readjustment shall take effect from such date as the President may, by order, specify and until such readjustment takes effect, any election to the House may be held on the basis of the territorial constituencies existing before such readjustment:

Provided also that until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year {2}2026 have been published, it shall not be necessary to{3}[ readjust—

• the allocation of seats in the House of the People to the States as readjusted on the basis of the 1971 census; and
• the division of each State into territorial constituencies as may be readjusted on the basis of the {4}[2001] census, under this article.

Notes:

1.Ins. by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976, s. 16 (w.e.f. 3-1-1977).

2.Subs. by the Constitution (Eighty-fourth Amendment) Act, 2001, s. 4, for 2000 (w.e.f. 21-2-2002).

3. Subs. by s.4, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 21-2-2002).

4. Subs. by the Constitution (Eighty-seventh Amendment) Act, 2003, s. 3, for 1991 (w.e.f. 22-6-2003).

Brief Detail

Article 82 provides for the recalibration of the number of seats allocated to states and Union territories in the Lok Sabha based on census data, while ensuring that current elections can proceed based on pre-existing boundaries until the readjustment takes effect.

Question & Answers

What does Article 82 of the Constitution of India specify?

Article 82 specifies the procedure for readjustment of seats in the House of the People (Lok Sabha) following each census, ensuring fair representation based on population changes, while allowing elections to be held on pre-existing territorial boundaries until the new readjustment is implemented.

Why is Article 82 significant?

Article 82 is significant because it provides a mechanism to maintain equitable representation in the Lok Sabha in line with demographic changes, ensuring that constituencies are aligned with current population data.

Example

For instance, after the 2021 census, the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha was adjusted according to the new population data, and until the new boundaries were finalized, elections were held based on the previous territorial constituencies.