New Delhi: In a major step towards gender equality in politics, the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill, paving the way for 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.
The proposed law, named the Nari Shakti Vandan Abhiyan Amendment Bill, aims to significantly boost women’s representation by increasing the total number of seats and reserving one-third for women. The bill is set to be introduced during the upcoming phase of the Budget Session beginning April 16.
As part of the reform, the strength of the Lok Sabha is proposed to rise from 543 to 816 seats, with 273 seats earmarked for women. The new system is expected to come into effect from the 2029 general elections, marking a transformative shift in India’s political landscape.
To support the implementation, the Centre will also bring in another bill to amend constituency delimitation laws. The redrawing of constituencies will be based on the 2011 Census, a move aimed at avoiding delays that could have pushed the rollout as far as 2034.
The bill ensures that existing reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) remain intact while introducing the new quota. Similar provisions will be extended to State Assemblies, ensuring broader representation for women at all legislative levels.
Originally receiving Presidential assent in September 2023, the legislation now moves closer to reality with these crucial amendments—signaling a new era of inclusive governance and stronger political participation by women across India.
