Constitution Section 170 — Composition of the Legislative Assemblies
Part VI — THE STATES — General
Constitutional
Summary
Each state’s Legislative Assembly must have between 60 and 500 members, who are elected directly by the people from territorial constituencies within the state. The state is divided into constituencies so that, as far as possible, each constituency has roughly the same population-to-seat ratio across the state. For this purpose, “population” refers to the figures from the most recent published census, but until the first census after 2026 is published, the 2001 census figures are used. After each census, the total number of seats and the constituency boundaries may be adjusted by an authority and method set by Parliament, but such changes do not take effect until after the current Assembly is dissolved, and until the adjustment takes effect, elections can still be held using the old constituencies. Additionally, until the first census after 2026 is published, there is no requirement to readjust the total seats based on the 1971 census or the constituency divisions based on the 2001 census.
Official Text
(1) Subject to the provisions of article 333, the Legislative Assembly of each State shall consist of not more than five hundred, and not less than sixty, members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the State.
(2) For the purposes of clause (1), each State shall be divided into territorial constituencies in such manner that the ratio between the population of each constituency and the number of seats allotted to it shall, so far aspracticable, be the same throughout the State.Explanation.—In this clause, the expression “population” means the population as ascertained at the last preceding census of which the relevant figures have been published:
Provided that the reference in this Explanation to the last preceding census of which the relevant figures have been published shall, until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year 2026 have been published, be construed as a reference to the 2001 census.
(3) Upon the completion of each census, the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of each State 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 Legislative Assembly until the dissolution of the then existing Assembly: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 Legislative Assembly 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 total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of each State as readjusted on the basis of the 1971 census; and
(ii) the division of such State into territorial constituencies as may be readjusted on the basis of the 2001 census,under this clause.