Indian Polity — Party System & Delimitation

Figure 1: Political party recognition and delimitation process are frequently tested in UPSC examinations.

1. Party and Recognition

National Party

A party is recognised as a national party if any of the following conditions is fulfilled:

If it secures six percent of valid votes polled in any four or more states at a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the legislative assembly; and, in addition, it wins four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states;
If it wins two percent of seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election, and these candidates are elected from three states; or
If it is recognised as a state party in four states.

State Party

A party is recognised as a state party in a state if any of the following conditions is fulfilled:

If it secures six percent of the valid votes polled in the state at a general election to the legislative assembly of the state concerned; and, in addition, it wins 2 seats in the assembly of the state concerned; or
If it secures six percent of the valid votes polled in the state at a general election to the Lok Sabha from the state concerned; and, in addition, it wins 1 seat in the Lok Sabha from the state concerned; or
If it wins three percent of seats in the legislative assembly at a general election to the legislative assembly of the state concerned or 3 seats in the assembly, whichever is more; or
If it wins 1 seat in the Lok Sabha for every 25 seats or any fraction thereof allotted to the state at a general election to the Lok Sabha from the state concerned; or
If it secures eight percent of the total valid votes polled in the state at a General Election to the Lok Sabha from the state or to the legislative assembly of the state.

PARTY RECOGNITION — KEY POINTS

National Party: 6% votes in 4+ states + 4 LS seats OR 2% LS seats from 3 states OR State party in 4 states
State Party: 6% votes + 2 Assembly seats OR 6% votes + 1 LS seat OR 3% Assembly seats OR 1 LS seat per 25 seats OR 8% votes

KNOWLEDGE NUGGET

National Party Threshold: 6% in 4 states OR 2% LS seats from 3 states OR State party in 4 states
State Party Threshold: 6% + 2 Assembly seats OR 6% + 1 LS seat OR 3% Assembly seats OR 1 seat per 25 LS seats OR 8% votes

2. Delimitation Commission

Meaning and Status

Delimitation means the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country or a Province having a legislative body.
It is a statutory body established by the Central Government under the provisions of a law enacted by the Parliament.

Constitutional Provisions

Articles 81, 82, 170, 330 and 332 of the Constitution of India deal with the delimitation of the Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies.

Commission

Delimitation is performed by the Delimitation Commission. It has been set up four times: 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002.

Composition

One member, who shall be a person who is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court, to be appointed by the Central Government who shall be the Chairperson of the Commission;
The Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner nominated by the Chief Election Commissioner, ex officio;
The State Election Commissioner of the concerned State, ex officio.

Power

Its orders have the force of law and cannot be challenged in any court.
The orders come into force on a date specified by the President of India. They are laid before the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assembly concerned. But, modifications are not permissible therein by them.

DELIMITATION COMMISSION — KEY POINTS

Nature: Statutory body
Constitutional Basis: Articles 81, 82, 170, 330, 332
Set Up: 1952, 1963, 1973, 2002
Chairperson: Sitting/Retired SC Judge
Members: CEC/EC (ex officio) + State EC (ex officio)
Orders: Force of law — cannot be challenged in court
Approval: President specifies date — laid before Parliament/Assembly — no modifications

IMPORTANT POINT

Delimitation Commission orders have the force of law and cannot be challenged in any court.
They come into force on a date specified by the President and are laid before the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly — no modifications are permissible.

3. Summary: Party Recognition & Delimitation at a Glance

Category	Key Provisions
National Party	6% votes in 4+ states + 4 LS seats OR 2% LS seats from 3 states OR State party in 4 states
State Party	6% + 2 Assembly OR 6% + 1 LS OR 3% Assembly OR 1 seat/25 LS seats OR 8% votes
Delimitation Commission	Statutory body — Articles 81,82,170,330,332 — Set up 1952,1963,1973,2002 — SC Judge as Chairperson — Orders have force of law, cannot be challenged

Key Takeaways for UPSC

National Party: 6% in 4 states + 4 LS seats OR 2% LS seats from 3 states OR State party in 4 states
State Party: 6% + 2 Assembly OR 6% + 1 LS OR 3% Assembly OR 1 seat/25 LS seats OR 8% votes
Delimitation Commission: Statutory body — set up 4 times — Chairperson is SC Judge — Orders have force of law, cannot be challenged
Constitutional Provisions: Articles 81, 82, 170, 330, 332 deal with delimitation

High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Party System & Delimitation)

Q1. What percentage of votes is required for a party to be recognised as a National Party in four or more states?

Correct Answer: C. A party is recognised as a National Party if it secures 6% of valid votes polled in any four or more states at a general election.

Q2. How many Lok Sabha seats must a party win from three states to be recognised as a National Party under the second condition?

Correct Answer: B. A party wins 2% of seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election, and these candidates are elected from three states.

Q3. How many states must a party be recognised as a State Party to qualify as a National Party?

Correct Answer: C. If a party is recognised as a State Party in four states, it qualifies as a National Party.

Q4. For State Party recognition, how many Assembly seats must a party win along with 6% votes?

Correct Answer: B. A party must win 2 seats in the assembly of the state concerned along with 6% votes.

Q5. What is the vote percentage threshold for State Party recognition under the 8% condition?

Correct Answer: C. A party secures 8% of the total valid votes polled in the state at a General Election to the Lok Sabha or legislative assembly.

Q6. Delimitation Commission is a:

Correct Answer: B. Delimitation Commission is a statutory body established by the Central Government under the provisions of a law enacted by the Parliament.

Q7. Which Articles of the Constitution deal with delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies?

Correct Answer: C. Articles 81, 82, 170, 330 and 332 of the Constitution of India deal with delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies.

Q8. How many times has the Delimitation Commission been set up?

Correct Answer: C. Delimitation Commission has been set up four times: 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002.

Q9. Who is the Chairperson of the Delimitation Commission?

Correct Answer: C. The Chairperson of the Delimitation Commission is a person who is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court, appointed by the Central Government.

Q10. Can Delimitation Commission orders be challenged in any court?

Correct Answer: C. Delimitation Commission orders have the force of law and cannot be challenged in any court.

Q11. Who specifies the date on which Delimitation Commission orders come into force?

Correct Answer: C. The orders come into force on a date specified by the President of India.

Q12. Can the Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly modify Delimitation Commission orders?

Correct Answer: C. The orders are laid before the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly, but modifications are not permissible therein by them.

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