On 16 April 2026, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The motion passed with 251 votes in favour and 185 against. Alongside, two ordinary bills – the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill – were also tabled as Parliament began a three‑day special sitting.
Key Developments
- Introduction of the Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill to raise women’s reservation to 33 % in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
- Proposal to increase Lok Sabha strength from 543 to up to 850 seats after a delimitation exercise based on the Census.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the Opposition to avoid politicising the bills and promised a “blank cheque” for states that support the reforms.
- The opposition coalition, known as the INDIA bloc, voted unanimously against the delimitation provisions, while stating they are not opposed to women’s reservation.
- Final voting on the passage of all three bills scheduled for 4 p.m., 17 April 2026.
Important Facts
The draft envisions expanding State Assemblies proportionally to accommodate the 33 % women’s quota, mirroring the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats. The delimitation exercise will be based on the last published census, which has been a contentious issue due to concerns over demographic shifts and political representation.
UPSC Relevance
Understanding this amendment is crucial for women’s rese