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States Cannot Demand Delimitation Like J&K: SC

Why in the News ?

The Supreme Court ruled that States like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana cannot seek delimitation by citing Jammu and Kashmir as precedent, as a constitutional embargo under Article 170 bars such an exercise in States until after the 2026 Census.

Supreme Court Verdict and Reasoning:

  • The SC bench, led by Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh, upheld the Centre’s delimitation in J&K (2022).

  • Dismissed claims of discrimination by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana electorates.

  • Ruled that treating J&K and States similarly would be treating unequals equally.

  • Petition by Prof. K. Purushottam Reddy sought delimitation parity for AP and Telangana.

  • Court noted States and Union Territories are governed by distinct constitutional rules.

Implications and Broader Context

  • Allowing State delimitation via court order would lead to inter-state discontent.

  • Could trigger similar demands from North-Eastern States (e.g., Assam, Manipur).

  • Would risk destabilising uniform electoral policies nationwide.

  • May blur the line between judicial interpretation and political discretion.

  • Court reaffirmed the need for constitutional consistency in electoral matters.
About Article 170 and Constitutional Embargo: Article 170(3) imposes a freeze on delimitation of State Assemblies until after the post-2026 Census.

The freeze aims to maintain equitable representation across States.

Jammu and Kashmir, as a Union Territory, is exempt from this embargo.

Its delimitation was based on the 2011 Census, not post-2026 data.

The Constitution thus provides separate frameworks for States and Union Territories.