Question 43 from UPSC CSE 2024 - Polity & Governan ce

Question

How many Delimitation Commissions have been constituted by the Government of India till December 2023?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Four

Strategy: This strategy focuses on recalling a specific factual count. It involves understanding the chronological establishment of Delimitation Commissions following major censuses or constitutional changes.

The approach relies on direct factual recall regarding the exact number of four commissions appointed before December 2023, which helps in eliminating incorrect options and arriving at the precise answer.

Key Info: The Delimitation Commission of India is a statutory body appointed by the Government of India under Delimitation Commission Acts passed by Parliament. Its primary role is to redraw boundaries of various Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies based on recent Census data, ensuring uniform distribution of population across constituencies.

Since Independence, four Delimitation Commissions have been appointed:

*   The first Delimitation Commission was established in 1952 under the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952.
*   The second Delimitation Commission was constituted in 1963 under the Delimitation Commission Act, 1962.
*   The third Delimitation Commission came in 1973 under the Delimitation Act, 1972.
*   The fourth and most recent Commission was set up in 2002 under the Delimitation Act, 2002, which completed its work in 2008, with certain states like Assam and Jammu & Kashmir deferred or excepted for varied reasons.

The recommendations of the Delimitation Commission have the force of law and cannot be questioned in any court. Its orders are effective from a date notified by the President of India. Copies of these orders are laid before the Lok Sabha and the concerned State Legislative Assemblies, but neither House has the authority to modify them.
Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution provide for readjustment of seats and constituency boundaries after each census. However, a constitutional freeze was imposed on delimitation from 1976 (42nd Amendment) up to 2000, and then extended till the first census after 2026 (84th Amendment, 2001), except for adjustment regarding the number of seats reserved for SC/STs.

Answer

Option A: One

Answer

Option B: Two

Answer

Option C: Three