Union Proposes Constitution Amendment to Expand Lok Sabha to 850 Seats

The Union government has framed the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing to increase the Lok Sabha's strength from 550 to 850 members.

The expansion includes 815 members from the States and 35 from Union Territories. This landmark legislation aims to remove the decades-old freeze based on the 1971 Census, enabling fresh delimitation using the latest population data.

The Bill is part of a package alongside the Delimitation Bill, 2026, which establishes a Commission to redraw boundaries and implement a one-third women’s reservation.

This shift may significantly alter seat distribution, reflecting current demographic patterns across Northern and Southern states.