Current Affairs of 28 August 2026

Why 543 Should Remain 543 

Context

• India’s impending delimitation exercise has revived an important constitutional debate: must delimitation necessarily lead to an expansion of the Lok Sabha?
• While population-based representation is a fundamental democratic principle, India’s constitutional framework has historically balanced it against federalism, demographic responsibility and effective parliamentary functioning.
• Therefore, delimitation and enlargement of the Lok Sabha need not necessarily be treated as synonymous.

Constitutional Basis of Delimitation

• Population as the Basis of Representation

  • Article 81 broadly provides for representation in the Lok Sabha according to population, while Article 82 provides for readjustment of constituencies after each Census.
  • Thus, demographic changes naturally create a case for updating electoral boundaries.
  • However, the Constitution uses the expression so far as practicable, indicating that population is not the only consideration governing representation.

• The 1976 Seat Freeze

  • The 42nd Constitutional Amendment of 1976 froze the inter-State allocation of Lok Sabha seats based on the 1971 Census.
  • The objective was to ensure that States implementing successful population-control and family-planning policies were not politically penalised.
  • The 84th Constitutional Amendment subsequently extended the freeze, establishing a broader constitutional principle: demographic representation must be balanced with other national objectives.

Why Numbers Alone Cannot Decide

• The Problem with Proportional Expansion

  • A proposal to increase every State’s representation by around 50% may appear to preserve existing proportions.
  • However, proportionality does not necessarily preserve political balance.
  • For example, if Uttar Pradesh increases from 80 to 120 seats and Tamil Nadu from 39 to about 59, their relative proportions remain broadly similar, but the absolute numerical gap increases substantially.
  • Parliamentary decisions are determined by actual numbers rather than ratios.

• Federalism as a Constitutional Value

  • The existing arrangement represents a federal compact. States that successfully stabilised their populations were assured that their parliamentary representation would not decline because of their demographic success.
  • Discarding this principle could create a perverse incentive by giving greater political weight to States where population has grown faster.

Delimitation Does Not Necessarily Mean Enlargement

• Redrawing Boundaries Within States

  • India can redraw constituencies within individual States using updated population data without changing the number of seats allocated to each State.
  • The delimitation exercise following the 2001 Census demonstrated that constituency boundaries could be reorganised while maintaining the existing inter-State distribution.

• International Experience

  • Global examples demonstrate that population growth does not automatically require larger national legislatures.
  • The S. House of Representatives has remained at 435 voting members for more than a century.
  • Switzerland has retained a 200-member National Council for decades.
  • Hungary and Italy have actually reduced the size of their national legislatures.
  • Therefore, there is no universal democratic principle that legislatures must expand whenever population increases.

The Case Against a Very Large Lok Sabha

• Impact on Parliamentary Deliberation

  • A larger Lok Sabha could weaken Parliament’s deliberative capacity.
  • Even within the existing 543-member House, many MPs have limited opportunities to speak, ask questions and participate in debates.
  • Expanding the House to more than 800 members could increase numerical representation but simultaneously reduce the time available to individual representatives.

• Constituency Accessibility

  • India does face a genuine problem of oversized constituencies.
  • MPs already represent very large populations, making direct engagement with citizens difficult.
  • However, greater accessibility does not necessarily require a larger national legislature.

Women’s Reservation and Delimitation

• Reservation Without Expansion

  • Women’s reservation is an important democratic reform, but it does not inherently require an enlarged Lok Sabha.
  • One-third of the existing 543 seats is approximately 181 seats, meaning the constitutional objective of greater representation for women can be achieved within the existing House.

• Avoiding a New Imbalance

  • A 50% expansion could increase the number of women MPs but simultaneously increase the numerical strength of larger States.
  • Consequently, an attempt to correct gender imbalance could unintentionally intensify federal imbalance.
  • Women’s political representation and federal fairness can therefore be achieved simultaneously without expanding the Lok Sabha.

A Balanced Reform Agenda

• India can pursue a balanced approach through four measures:
  • Retain the Lok Sabha at 543 members.
  • Preserve the existing inter-State allocation of seats while redrawing constituencies within States according to updated demographic data.
  • Implement women’s reservation within the existing House.
  • Strengthen Vidhan Sabhas and reduce Assembly constituency sizes to improve democratic accessibility.
• Such reforms would accommodate demographic change while protecting the interests of States that successfully pursued population stabilisation.

Conclusion

• India must balance population-based representation with federalism, democratic accessibility, parliamentary effectiveness and demographic responsibility.
• Redrawing constituencies within States, implementing women’s reservation within the existing House and strengthening State-level representation can address these concerns without disturbing the federal balance.
• Ultimately, the objective should not be to make Parliament larger merely because the population has grown.

Why 543 Should Remain 543 FAQs

Q1. Why was Lok Sabha seat allocation frozen in 1976?
Ans. It was frozen to protect States that had successfully controlled population growth.

Q2. Does delimitation require increasing Lok Sabha seats?
Ans. No, constituencies can be redrawn without increasing the total number of seats.

Q3. What is a major concern with a larger Lok Sabha?
Ans. A larger House could weaken parliamentary deliberation and scrutiny.

Q4. Does women’s reservation require more Lok Sabha seats?
Ans. No, women’s reservation can be implemented within the existing 543 seats.

Q5. What is the proposed alternative to Lok Sabha expansion?
Ans. The alternative is to retain 543 seats while strengthening State Assemblies and reducing constituency sizes.

Source: The Hindu

India’s Return to Its Central Asian Neighbourhood

Context

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to Uzbekistan and participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek underline the growing importance of Central Asia in India’s foreign policy.
• The region, comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, occupies a crucial position between Russia, China, Afghanistan, Iran and South Asia.
• For India, Central Asia is not merely a distant neighbourhood but a space of historical, cultural, economic and strategic significance.

Central Asia: A Region in Transition

• Central Asia emerged as a new geopolitical region following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
• The post-Soviet generation now constitutes a growing part of its population and is engaged in building new national identities and political equilibria.
• Although Islam is the predominant religion, most Central Asian states have resisted turning religion into a political project.
• At the same time, terrorism, extremism and radicalisation remain major security concerns. Afghanistan’s instability, China’s concerns about radicalisation in its western regions and terrorist attacks such as the 2024 Crocus City Hall attack highlight the region’s vulnerability.
• The region is also marked by ethnic diversity, linguistic plurality, geographical differences and unequal resource endowments.

India’s Growing Engagement with Central Asia

• India’s engagement represents a gradual departure from its earlier tendency to defer to Russian influence in Central Asia.
• Modi’s 2015 visit to all five Central Asian republics marked a significant turning point.
• India subsequently became a full member of the SCO in 2017, providing an important multilateral platform for engagement.
• India’s decision to invite all five Central Asian leaders as chief guests for Republic Day in 2022 further demonstrated the region’s importance.
• Although the COVID-19 pandemic prevented their physical participation, the initiative contributed to institutional mechanisms such as the India-Central Asia Dialogue.
• These developments indicate a transition from limited diplomatic engagement to a more comprehensive regional strategy.

Beyond Geography: Civilisational Connectivity

• India’s relationship with Central Asia extends far beyond physical geography.
• Centuries of interaction have produced strong cultural, linguistic, religious, architectural and commercial linkages.
• The region is part of the wider Eurasian continuum, and India’s historical connections with cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara remain deeply embedded in its civilisational memory.
• The absence of direct overland connectivity, largely because of geopolitical constraints, should not diminish these relationships.
• India must therefore pursue connectivity through alternative routes, particularly through Iran and potentially Afghanistan.
• Central Asian countries are increasingly seeking partners beyond Russia and China.
• India’s experience as a pluralistic, moderate and democratic society provides it with a distinctive source of soft power and makes it an attractive partner for regional development.

Uzbekistan: A Strategic Gateway

• Uzbekistan occupies particular importance in India’s Central Asian strategy.
• Relations have improved substantially under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev since 2016, as Tashkent has pursued a more diversified foreign policy.
• Cooperation with Uzbekistan can expand across trade, defence, technology, education, healthcare, tourism and natural resources.
• Its firm opposition to terrorism and extremism is especially relevant to India. Uzbekistan’s geographical proximity to Afghanistan and its pragmatic understanding of developments involving the Taliban make it an important security partner.
• India and Uzbekistan should therefore revisit proposals for alternative rail and road connectivity through Iran and Afghanistan, taking into account changing regional circumstances.

India and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

• The SCO has evolved from the Shanghai Five established in 1996 into a major Eurasian organisation with 10 members, 15 dialogue partners and two observers.
• India’s participation is primarily driven by geography and strategic necessity rather than ideological convergence.
• India faces difficult negotiations within the SCO because of the close China-Pakistan relationship. Nevertheless, disengagement would leave India with fewer opportunities to influence Eurasian affairs.
• India has consequently advocated cooperation in security, connectivity, technology, economics and civilisational exchanges.
• For smaller Central Asian states, particularly those heavily dependent on China, India’s presence offers an opportunity to diversify strategic and economic partnerships.

Challenges and Opportunities

• India’s Central Asian strategy faces several obstacles, including lack of direct connectivity, Chinese economic dominance, Russian influence, instability in Afghanistan, limited trade volumes and unresolved regional disputes.
• However, these challenges also create opportunities. India can strengthen its presence through energy partnerships, critical minerals, defence cooperation, digital technology, pharmaceuticals, education, healthcare, tourism and cultural diplomacy.
• Connectivity initiatives through Iran can provide India with greater access to Eurasian markets.
• A sustained and multidimensional approach can help India transform historical goodwill into tangible strategic partnerships.

Conclusion

• Central Asia is becoming increasingly important as the geopolitical balance of Eurasia changes.
• India cannot afford to view the region through the narrow lens of geography or traditional diplomacy.
• Its historical connections, security interests, economic opportunities and shared concerns over terrorism provide a strong foundation for deeper engagement.
• The renewed focus on Uzbekistan and the SCO should therefore form part of a broader strategy to establish India as an independent, reliable and constructive partner in Eurasia.
• By combining connectivity, economic cooperation, security partnerships and civilisational diplomacy, India can consolidate its rightful place in a rapidly evolving Central Asian order.

India’s Return to Its Central Asian Neighbourhood FAQs

Q1. Why is Central Asia important for India?
Ans. Central Asia is important for India because of its strategic, economic, security and civilisational significance.

Q2. What marked a turning point in India’s Central Asian policy?
Ans. Prime Minister Modi’s 2015 visit to all five Central Asian republics marked a major turning point.

Q3. Why is Uzbekistan strategically important for India?
Ans. Uzbekistan is important because of its proximity to Afghanistan and strong opposition to terrorism and extremism.

Q4. Why does India participate in the SCO?
Ans. India participates in the SCO primarily because of geographical and strategic interests in Eurasia.

Q5. What should India do to strengthen its Central Asian presence?
Ans. India should strengthen connectivity, trade, defence, technology, education and cultural cooperation with Central Asian countries.

Source: The Hindu

BRICS+ and India - Building a Multipolar World through Cooperation

Context

• The idea of BRIC was proposed by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill in 2001.
• Brazil, Russia, India and China began high-level ministerial consultations in 2006 and held their first summit in 2009. South Africa joined in 2010, giving rise to BRICS.
• Over time, BRICS has evolved from an economic grouping into a broader platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).
• Its expansion reflects the growing demand for a more representative and multipolar global order.

BRICS+ - Growing Global Weight

• BRICS+ currently comprises 11 members — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE and Saudi Arabia — along with 10 partner countries.
• Its growing significance stems from its demographic and economic weight -
  • BRICS and BRICS+ represent roughly 45% and 55% of the global population, respectively.
  • BRICS+ economies account for around 35–45% of global GDP in PPP terms and collectively exceed $30 trillion in nominal GDP.
  • The grouping is expected to record significantly faster growth than the G7 in the coming years.
  • Countries such as Argentina, Algeria and Türkiye have also shown interest in joining.
• Thus, BRICS+ is increasingly becoming an important forum for South-South cooperation, economic coordination and reform of global governance.
• Core significance: Its strength lies not merely in economic size but in its ability to provide a platform for countries seeking greater representation in institutions shaped largely by the post-World War II order.

India’s 2026 BRICS Presidency - Four Priorities

• With the 2026 BRICS Summit scheduled in New Delhi, India has an opportunity to shape the group's future agenda.
• India's priorities are centred on four themes -
  • Resilience: Strengthening supply chains, energy security, food security and institutional capacity against global disruptions.
  • Innovation: Promoting technological cooperation, digital transformation, emerging technologies and inclusive innovation.
  • Cooperation: Deepening coordination among developing countries on economic, financial, political and developmental challenges.
  • Sustainability: Addressing climate change, sustainable development, green transition and resource security while ensuring that development remains people-centric.
• These priorities can be advanced through BRICS' three broad pillars - political and security cooperation, economic and financial partnership, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges
• For India, this agenda can also reinforce its traditional emphasis on strategic autonomy, Global South leadership, reform of multilateral institutions and inclusive development.

China-India Cooperation - The Central Variable

• The future effectiveness of BRICS will be significantly influenced by India-China relations.
• China has expressed support for India's role in the 2026 summit, highlighting the potential for cooperation between the two largest BRICS economies.
• India and China are among the world's largest economies in PPP terms; home to approximately 35% of humanity; and major markets and engines of global economic growth.
• Their economic complementarities create considerable scope for cooperation.
• The recent resumption of direct flights and increasing exchanges among universities, businesses and cities indicate efforts to rebuild people-to-people and economic
• However, cooperation should not be equated with the absence of strategic differences.

Panchsheel and a Multipolar Order

• The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (Panchsheel), jointly articulated by India and China, as principles supporting peaceful international relations.
• Greater India-China cooperation within BRICS could contribute to -
  • Rebalancing global governance;
  • Greater voice for the Global South;
  • Reform of institutions such as the UN, IMF and World Bank;
  • Strengthening South-South cooperation;
  • Promoting a rules-based and more inclusive international order.
• India should ensure that BRICS complements, rather than replaces, other platforms such as the G20, SCO, Quad and Indo-Pacific mechanisms, thereby preserving its multi-alignment and strategic autonomy.

Way Forward

• BRICS+ must avoid becoming merely an anti-Western or anti-G7 bloc. Its long-term relevance will depend on whether it can deliver practical economic and developmental outcomes.
• India should focus on -
  • Reforming global financial and governance institutions;
  • Expanding local-currency and alternative payment mechanisms;
  • Building resilient and diversified supply chains;
  • Promoting digital public infrastructure and technological cooperation;
  • Enhancing climate and energy cooperation;
  • Strengthening developmental finance;
  • Expanding youth, educational and cultural exchanges.
• India-China relations: As they continue to involve concerns like border disputes, strategic competition, etc., India's approach needs to combine engagement with strategic caution, rather than either confrontation or excessive dependence.

Conclusion

• The expansion of BRICS reflects the diffusion of economic and political power away from a predominantly Western-centred order.
• For India, the 2026 New Delhi Summit is an opportunity to shape this transition around resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
• India-China engagement will remain crucial. While strategic differences cannot be ignored, sustained dialogue and issue-based cooperation can help ensure that BRICS+ becomes a vehicle for -
  • Inclusive growth,
  • Global South solidarity and
  • A more representative multipolar world order.

BRICS+ and India FAQs

Q1. How has the expansion of BRICS+ strengthened the voice of the Global South?

Ans. Its growing demographic and economic weight makes BRICS+ a major platform for South-South cooperation.

Q2. What are the four key priorities of India’s 2026 BRICS agenda?

Ans. India’s priorities are resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.

Q3. What is the significance of India-China cooperation for the effectiveness of BRICS+?

Ans. Both can drive economic growth, regional cooperation and Global South coordination.

Q4. How can BRICS contribute to the reform of the existing global governance architecture?

Ans. BRICS can push for greater representation in the UN, IMF and World Bank, strengthen development finance, etc.

Q5. Why should India pursue cooperation rather than confrontation within BRICS while maintaining strategic autonomy?

Ans. Cooperation can advance its Global South leadership, while strategic autonomy helps India to diversify partnerships with the G20, Quad and SCO.

Source: IE