The Centre has begun efforts to build political consensus for a renewed delimitation exercise, with the possibility of introducing a fresh bill and completing the process before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, according to government sources. The move could lead to the first major redrawing of parliamentary constituencies in decades and revive a debate that has remained politically sensitive across several states.

Sources indicated that the government has started discussions with a range of political stakeholders, including regional parties, before taking any legislative steps. Among those reportedly consulted are the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Trinamool Congress, while talks are said to be continuing with other regional formations as well.

Why delimitation is significant

Delimitation refers to the process of redrawing the boundaries of parliamentary and assembly constituencies to reflect changes in population. The current allocation of Lok Sabha seats among states is based on population figures from the 1971 Census, as seat redistribution has remained frozen for decades.

The issue has become increasingly contentious because several southern states have expressed concerns that population-based redistribution could reduce their relative influence in Parliament despite their success in controlling population growth. The Centre has acknowledged these concerns while continuing discussions on possible approaches.

Political debate likely to intensify

The subject of delimitation has already triggered sharp political debate this year. Earlier proposals linked to delimitation and women’s reservation faced opposition from several parties, particularly over questions surrounding representation and the use of census data.

Government representatives have maintained that any future delimitation exercise would not reduce the representation of southern states and have argued that an increase in the overall number of Lok Sabha seats could preserve the existing balance among states while expanding representation.

For now, consultations are continuing, and no final decision on the proposed legislation has been announced. However, the Centre’s latest outreach indicates that delimitation is likely to remain a key political and constitutional issue in the run-up to the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday confirmed the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala, officially marking the beginning of the country’s annual four-month rainy season.

The monsoon arrived on June 4, around three days later than its normal onset date of June 1. Weather officials said the seasonal rains have covered Kerala and extended into parts of Tamil Nadu, bringing widespread rainfall to several areas.

According to the IMD, conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to advance further into additional parts of southern India over the next few days. The progression of the monsoon is closely watched as it plays a critical role in supporting agriculture, replenishing reservoirs and meeting the country’s water requirements.

Heavy rainfall forecast for Kerala

Several districts in Kerala are expected to receive heavy rainfall as the monsoon strengthens over the region. Weather authorities have issued alerts in parts of the state and advised residents to remain cautious in areas vulnerable to waterlogging and localised flooding.

The arrival of the southwest monsoon is considered one of the most important weather events in India, as it delivers nearly 70 per cent of the country’s annual rainfall. A large section of the agricultural sector depends on timely and adequate monsoon rains for crop cultivation.

Monsoon advance to be monitored closely

While the monsoon has made its official entry into the country through Kerala, meteorologists will continue monitoring its pace and distribution across different regions in the coming weeks.

The IMD has indicated that the monsoon is expected to advance gradually across the Indian mainland, bringing rainfall to more states as the season progresses.

Rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds lashed parts of Delhi-NCR, bringing relief from the intense summer heat, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for the next two days. The weather department has forecast more showers, thunderstorms and strong winds across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad.

According to IMD, cloudy skies, light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds may occur at several locations in Delhi-NCR. Wind speeds could reach 40-50 kmph and may gust up to 60 kmph during thunderstorm activity.

The weather department has advised residents to remain cautious during periods of strong winds and lightning. The expected rainfall is likely to keep temperatures lower than usual for early June, extending the relief from intense heat that the region witnessed in recent weeks.

Rain activity likely across NCR cities

The forecast indicates that Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad are also expected to receive spells of rain accompanied by thunderstorms over the coming days. Similar weather conditions have been predicted across much of the NCR region as atmospheric instability continues to influence northwestern India.

Recent spells of rain and dust storms have already brought down temperatures across Delhi-NCR, with weather officials predicting additional showers before conditions gradually improve later in the week.

Residents have been advised to monitor weather updates and avoid open areas during thunderstorms and lightning activity. Authorities also caution that strong winds may affect traffic movement and outdoor activities in some areas.