<h2>Overview</h2> <p>The <strong>Central Government</strong> has issued a notification that the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Constitution (106th Amendment) Act – amendment providing 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies; relevant to GS2: Polity">Constitution (106th Amendment) Act</span> will come into force on <strong>16 April 2026</strong>. The move activates the long‑awaited <span class="key-term" data-definition="Women reservation – constitutional provision reserving one‑third of seats for women in legislative bodies; GS2: Polity">women reservation</span> law, which had received presidential assent in 2023 but remained dormant due to a deferred commencement clause.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Ministry of Law and Justice – central ministry responsible for legal affairs, drafting legislation and overseeing the Official Gazette; GS2: Polity">Ministry of Law and Justice</span> issued the notification appointing 16 April 2026 as the commencement date.</li> <li>Parliament is simultaneously debating the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill – bill proposing to raise Lok Sabha strength to 850 seats and to detach women reservation from the post‑census delimitation requirement; GS2: Polity">Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill</span>, which seeks to increase Lok Sabha seats to 850 and modify the linkage between reservation and <span class="key-term" data-definition="Delimitation – redrawing of constituency boundaries based on the latest Census to ensure equal representation; GS2: Polity">delimitation</span>.</li> <li>The opposition supports the reservation but opposes any delimitation based on the 2011 Census figures.</li> <li>For the amendment to pass, a <span class="key-term" data-definition="Two‑thirds majority – constitutional requirement that at least two‑thirds of members present and voting must approve a constitutional amendment; GS2: Polity">two‑thirds majority</span> is needed in the Lok Sabha.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <ul> <li>The 2023 Act stipulated that reservation would become effective only after the next <span class="key-term" data-definition="Census – decennial population count that informs representation, resource allocation and delimitation; GS2/GS3: Polity/Economy">Census</span>‑driven delimitation.</li> <li>The present notification circumvents that condition, allowing immediate implementation once the delimitation exercise is completed.</li> <li>The proposed increase to 850 seats would raise the total strength of the Lok Sabha by 150 members, facilitating broader representation.</li> <li>The notification was released a day before the Lok Sabha is scheduled to vote on the 131st Amendment Bill.</li> </ul> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>Understanding this development is crucial for GS 2 (Polity) as it touches upon constitutional amendment procedures, the role of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Official Gazette – government publication where legal notices, including notifications, are officially recorded; GS2: Polity">Official Gazette</span>, and the interplay between reservation policy and delimitation. It also highlights the political dynamics of coalition building, opposition strategy, and the impact of demographic data (Census) on legislative reforms.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>Parliament is expected to vote on the 131st Amendment Bill within the next few days. If passed, the Lok Sabha will expand to 850 seats and the reservation provision will be operational immediately after the delimitation exercise, irrespective of the Census year. Monitoring the outcome will be essential for aspirants, as it will set a precedent for decoupling policy implementation from demographic cycles and may influence future debates on gender equity and electoral reforms.</p>