NEW DELHI: The Centre is preparing to introduce key amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to enable its implementation ahead of the 2029 general elections, with a significant expansion of Lok Sabha seats also under consideration, sources said on Monday.
As part of this effort, the government is learnt to be engaging in consultations with opposition parties to build broader consensus. The government seems to be keen on introducing the amendment bill during the ongoing budget session of Parliament, before April 2, when the budget session ends.
Wider consultations with opposition parties have also reportedly begun to build consensus around the proposal. Under the proposed framework, the strength of the Lok Sabha could be increased from the current 543 seats to around 816.
Of these, nearly 273 seats are likely to be reserved for women, in line with the 33% quota mandated under the law.
The Women’s Reservation Act, enacted through the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, provides for one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and the Delhi Assembly. However, its implementation has been contingent on the completion of the first Census after its passage and a subsequent delimitation exercise—both of which are yet to be carried out.
According to sources, the government is now considering amending the law to enable implementation without waiting for these processes. The proposal includes using the 2011 Census as the basis for a fresh delimitation exercise, thereby expediting the rollout of reservations.
To operationalise this plan, Parliament would need to amend Section 5 of the Act, which currently links reservation to a post-Census delimitation process. As this involves a constitutional change, it would require passage under Article 368 of the Constitution of India, mandating approval by a majority of the total membership in both Houses and a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge recently wrote to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, calling for an all-party meeting to discuss the modalities and roadmap for implementing the Act.
