<h3>Overview</h3> <p>The extended Budget session of Parliament adjourned <strong>sine die on Saturday, 18 April 2026</strong> after the opposition successfully prevented the passage of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill — A proposed amendment to the Indian Constitution to operationalise a 33% reservation for women in Parliament and local bodies, linking it to the next delimitation exercise (GS2: Polity)">Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill</span>. The bill sought to tie <span class="key-term" data-definition="women’s reservation — A policy measure that earmarks a fixed percentage of legislative seats for women to improve gender representation (GS2: Polity)">women’s reservation</span> with the upcoming <span class="key-term" data-definition="delimitation exercise — The periodic redrawing of electoral constituency boundaries based on census data to ensure equal representation (GS2: Polity)">delimitation exercise</span>, a move opposed by the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Congress — One of India’s oldest political parties, currently the principal opposition in the Lok Sabha (GS2: Polity)">Congress</span> and its allies.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Lok Sabha — The lower house of India’s Parliament, consisting of directly elected members who approve legislation and budgets (GS2: Polity)">Lok Sabha</span> failed to pass the amendment after intense debate.</li> <li><span class="key-term" data-definition="Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister — The cabinet minister responsible for coordinating the government's legislative agenda and managing parliamentary business (GS2: Polity)">Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju</span> accused the opposition of an "anti‑women mindset" and warned of the "wrath" of women voters.</li> <li>The amendment aimed to formalise the <strong>33% reservation</strong> target for women, a long‑standing demand of gender‑rights groups.</li> <li>With the bill blocked, the Budget session concluded without the reservation measure, leaving the issue unresolved.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The proposed amendment was the 131st amendment to the Constitution, reflecting the government's intent to embed gender parity in the electoral framework. By linking reservation to delimitation, the bill intended to ensure that any increase in reserved seats would be based on the latest demographic data, avoiding arbitrary seat allocation. The opposition argued that the move could disrupt the ongoing delimitation process and potentially affect the political balance in the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Lok Sabha — The lower house of India’s Parliament, consisting of directly elected members who approve legislation and budgets (GS2: Polity)">Lok Sabha</span>.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>This episode touches upon several UPSC syllabus areas: <strong>Constitutional Law</strong> (the amendment process and the role of Parliament), <strong>Electoral Reforms</strong> (delimitation and reservation policies), and <strong>Gender Equality</strong> (the push for 33% women’s representation). Aspirants should note the procedural aspects of passing a constitutional amendment (requiring a two‑thirds majority in both houses) and the political dynamics between the ruling party and opposition in a parliamentary democracy.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>For the reservation measure to materialise, the government will need to secure broader consensus in the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Lok Sabha — The lower house of India’s Parliament, consisting of directly elected members who approve legislation and budgets (GS2: Polity)">Lok Sabha</span> and possibly address opposition concerns about delimitation. Continued advocacy by women’s groups and pressure from civil society may shape future legislative attempts. Monitoring the next Budget session and any re‑introduction of the amendment will be crucial for understanding the evolving policy landscape.</p>