What is delimitation, and why is it important? What challenges are associated with the delimitation exercise in India?

Delimitation is redrawing of constituency boundaries and reserving seats for SC/ST in proportion to their population. Done by Delimitation Commission under article 82. Importance of delimitation: (1) Uphold principle of one vote = one value. (2) To accommodate changing population. (3) To ensure Universal Adult Suffrage (Article 326). Challenges associated: (1) Freezing of seats after 1972 and then in 2002. (2) Changed demography of state: UP and Bihar = 80 lakh constituency, Kerala and Tamil Nadu = 20 lakh constituency. (3) Rearrangement will lead to loss of seats for southern state and gain for northern state: Demographic pallelier control. (4) lack of consensus among states to undertake next delimitation. Way forward: a) Former President Pranab Mukherjee called for increase Lok Sabha seats to 1000. b) American model: of proportional increase of seats of all state. c) European parliament model: Large state gets seats in proportion to population but smaller state get higher number of seats. Delimitation is a constitutional obligation to ensure equality and equity at the same time.