The Union government has proposed a major expansion of the Lok Sabha, increasing its total strength from the current 543 seats to 850, news agency ANI reported on Tuesday, citing sources.
The move is seen as part of plans to implement the women's reservation law, which provides 33% quota for women in the Lower House and state assemblies.
The proposal is part of a broader set of constitutional changes expected to be taken up during a special session of Parliament scheduled from April 16-18.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India is set to take one of the biggest decisions of the 21st century, calling the proposed women's reservation legislation a historic step dedicated to "Nari Shakti," while addressing the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan' at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
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How The New Seats Will Be Distributed?
At present, the Lok Sabha, the Lower House of Parliament, has 543 elected members representing constituencies across the country. The new proposal seeks to significantly increase representation, with 815 seats to be allocated to states and 35 to Union Territories. By expanding the total number of constituencies, the government aims to roll out the quota without significantly reducing the number of seats currently held by existing representatives.
Officials, cited in multiple media reports, said a draft Constitution Amendment Bill outlining the changes has already been circulated among Members of Parliament. The government is expected to formally introduce the legislation during the special sitting from April 16 to 18, where key electoral and constitutional reforms are on the agenda.
The move will also require a fresh delimitation exercise, which involves redrawing constituency boundaries and reallocating seats among states based on population. This process will be carried out after 2027 Census and is expected to play a key role in determining how the additional seats are distributed.
Opposition Gearing Up To Challenge The Proposal
However, the proposal has already triggered political debate. The Opposition is preparing to challenge the government's proposed delimitation exercise, with particular focus on the reported use of 2011 Census data.
Parties such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) are expected to argue that any fresh seat redistribution should be based on updated 2021 Census figures.
Reports said several INDIA bloc parties are also likely to seek clarity on the long-pending demand for a “quota within quota” for women from backward classes under the women's reservation framework.
A strategy meeting of Opposition leaders and alliance partners has been scheduled at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in New Delhi. Leaders from the Trinamool Congress and the DMK, both in power in poll-bound West Bengal and Tamil Nadu respectively, are expected to attend the discussions.
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What Value The Legislation Holds?
The Act addresses the persistent under-representation of women in Parliament, ensuring they constitute a stronger lobby to influence policy. Also. if approved, the increase to 850 seats would mark one of the most significant changes to India's parliamentary structure since Independence.
The proposal is expected to undergo detailed discussion in Parliament and may be referred to committees before any final decision is taken.
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