Part V · The Union · General
Article 82: Readjustment after each census
Text of Article 82
Upon the completion of each census, the allocation of seats in the House of the People to the States and the division of each State into territorial constituencies shall be readjusted by such authority and in such manner as Parliament may by law determine:
Provided that such readjustment shall not affect representation in the House of the People until the dissolution of the then existing House:
[Provided further that such readjustment shall take effect from such date as the President may, by order, specify and until such readjustment takes effect, any election to the House may be held on the basis of the territorial constituencies existing before such readjustment:
Provided also that until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year [2026] have been published, it shall not be necessary to [readjust,—
(i) the allocation of seats in the House of the People to the States as readjusted on the basis of the 1971 census; and
(ii) the division of each State into territorial constituencies as may be readjusted on the basis of the [2001] census, under this article.]]
Words in [square brackets] were inserted or substituted by later amendments (see below). Source: Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India
A plain-English explanation of Article 82, landmark judgments and exam facts are being added to this page.
Amendment history
Changed by: 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, 84th Amendment Act, 2001, 87th Amendment Act, 2003
- Ins. by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976, s. 16 (w.e.f. 3-1-1977).
- Subs. by the Constitution (Eighty-fourth Amendment) Act, 2001, s. 4, for "2000" (w.e.f. 21-2-2002).
- Subs. by s.4, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 21-2-2002).
- Subs. by the Constitution (Eighty-seventh Amendment) Act, 2003, s. 3, for "1991" (w.e.f. 22-6-2003).
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