Article 82

Census data plays a crucial role in the representation of states and their constituent regions in the House of the People, also known as the lower house of India’s Parliament. In order to ensure that each state and territory is fairly represented, a process of readjustment must take place after each census. This readjustment is carried out by an authority determined by Parliament and involves the allocation of seats in the House of the People to the states and the division of each state into territorial constituencies.

What Is the Purpose of Readjustment?

The purpose of readjustment is to ensure that each state and territory is accurately represented in the House of the People based on the latest census data. This process helps to ensure that each region has an appropriate level of representation in the national government and that the distribution of seats reflects the current population distribution.

What Is the Process for Readjustment?

The process for readjustment is determined by Parliament and may vary from one census to the next. In general, however, the following steps are typically involved:

The completion of the census: This is the first step in the readjustment process and involves the collection and analysis of data on the population of each state and territory.

The allocation of seats: Based on the census data, seats in the House of the People are allocated to each state and territory. This may involve adjusting the number of seats allocated to each region in order to reflect changes in the population distribution.

The division of states into territorial constituencies: Once the seats have been allocated, each state is divided into territorial constituencies, with each constituency represented by a member of the House of the People. The number of constituencies within a state is typically based on the number of seats allocated to that state.

The implementation of readjustment: The readjustment process is not typically implemented until the dissolution of the existing House of the People. However, elections may be held on the basis of the existing territorial constituencies until the readjustment takes effect.

What Are the Provisions for Readjustment?

There are several provisions in place to ensure that the readjustment process is carried out smoothly and fairly. These include:

• The requirement that readjustment take place after each census: This ensures that representation in the House of the People is based on the most recent population data.
• The provision that readjustment not take effect until the dissolution of the existing House of the People: This ensures that the current members of the House have the opportunity to serve out their full terms before any changes to representation take effect.
• The provision that elections may be held on the basis of the existing territorial constituencies until readjustment takes effect: This allows for a smooth transition to the new representation, as elections can continue to be held in the same constituencies until the readjustment process is completed.
• The provision that readjustment not be necessary until the figures for the first census taken after the year 2000 are published: This allows for a period of time after the turn of the millennium for the readjustment process to be carried out based on the most recent census data.

The process of readjustment after each census is an important part of the representation of states and territories in the House of the People. By ensuring that the distribution of seats and territorial constituencies reflects the most recent population data, readjustment helps to ensure that each region is fairly represented in the national government.