India Introduces Women's Reservation Bill to Ensure 33% Quota Ahead of 2029 Elections
Government tables Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament to implement 33% quota for women ahead of 2029 Lok Sabha elections
The Economic TimesImage: The Economic Times
The Indian government has introduced a legislative package to implement a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies starting from the 2029 general elections. This move comes nearly thirty years after the initial proposal and requires support from key opposition parties to pass.
- 01The legislative package includes three bills aimed at ensuring women's reservation.
- 02The proposed changes seek to delink women's reservation from the census-linked delimitation framework.
- 03Opposition parties support women's reservation but oppose the current delimitation framework.
- 04The government needs a two-thirds majority in Parliament for the bills to pass.
- 05Southern states have raised concerns over potential unfair seat reallocations.
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On Thursday, the Indian government introduced a legislative package in Parliament to implement a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies from the 2029 general elections. This initiative, proposed nearly three decades ago, includes the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal presented the first two bills, while the Home Minister introduced the third. The bills aim to separate women's reservation from the existing census-linked delimitation framework, which had delayed implementation until 2034. Government sources suggest a potential expansion of Lok Sabha seats to 850, translating to approximately 273 seats for women. However, opposition parties, while supporting the concept of women's reservation, have expressed concerns regarding the delimitation framework and its implications for states with better population control. To pass these amendments, the government requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament, meaning at least 360 votes from the current Lok Sabha strength of 540.
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If passed, this bill could significantly increase women's representation in Indian politics, providing a platform for more female voices in governance.
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