Lok Sabha Seats Could Increase To 816; Maharashtra May Get 72 MPs Under Proposed Plan
Lok Sabha Seats Could Increase To 816; Maharashtra May Get 72 MPs Under Proposed Plan
New Delhi, March 24, 2026: The central government is considering a major overhaul of India’s parliamentary structure, proposing to increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816. The plan also aims to significantly boost women’s representation in Parliament, raising the number of women MPs from around 82 to 273, based on the 2011 census.
The proposal, under the draft Women’s Empowerment and Representation (Amendment) Bill, is being closely discussed by Home Minister Amit Shah with leaders from NDA and key opposition parties, including BJD, YSRCP, NCP-SP, Shiv Sena-UBT, and AIMIM. Officials say the changes are expected to bring a major shift in India’s political landscape.
Under the proposed plan:
- Total Lok Sabha seats may rise from 543 to 816.
- Women’s reserved seats could increase to 273 (33% of total seats).
- Maharashtra’s allocation may rise from 48 to 72 MPs.
The government plans to use the 2011 census data as a basis for delimitation, since the 2021 census has been delayed. This will allow women’s reservation to be implemented without waiting for new population data, addressing concerns about timely representation.
The proposal also includes a “lottery system” for women’s reserved seats, potentially reserving every third seat for female candidates. This is expected to significantly increase representation from Hindi-speaking states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, while maintaining proportionality across all states, including those in South India that had expressed concerns about losing seats due to population control measures.
The government may introduce the bill in the ongoing parliamentary session or call a special session if required. In response, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has convened a meeting of the INDIA alliance to discuss the implications of the proposal.
This initiative could reshape parliamentary politics and significantly enhance women’s participation in national governance.
