After decades of debate, Parliament passed a law in 2023 to reserve one third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. It is known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Here is a simple explainer.
The law
The Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023 was passed by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in September 2023 and received the President’s assent on 28 September 2023.
What it provides
- One third of seats in the Lok Sabha will be reserved for women.
- One third of seats in every state legislative assembly will be reserved for women.
- One third of seats in the Delhi legislative assembly will also be reserved.
- Within seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, one third will be reserved for women from these groups.
New articles
The amendment added Article 330A for the Lok Sabha and Article 332A for state assemblies, and amended Article 239AA for Delhi.
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When it takes effect
The reservation will come into force only after a census is conducted following the commencement of the Act, and after a delimitation exercise based on that census. This means the exact date depends on when the census and delimitation are completed. Any date being discussed should be treated as tentative.
Duration and rotation
- The reservation will last for 15 years from its start, and Parliament can extend it by law.
- Reserved seats will rotate after each delimitation, as decided by law.
What it does not cover
- The Rajya Sabha and state legislative councils are not covered.
- There is no separate quota for women from Other Backward Classes, a point raised by several parties during debate.
Background
Women’s reservation bills were introduced several times since 1996. A version passed the Rajya Sabha in 2010 but lapsed. Women already have one third reservation in panchayats and municipalities under the 73rd and 74th Amendments, and many states provide 50 percent.
Why it matters
Women’s share in the Lok Sabha has remained well below one third. Supporters say reservation will bring more women into law making and change policy priorities.
Bottom line
The Women’s Reservation Act guarantees one third of Lok Sabha and assembly seats for women, but it will apply only after the next census and delimitation.
Source / स्रोत: Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, India Code, Lok Sabha, PRS Legislative Research
