Lok Sabha takes up key bills on women’s reservation, delimitation

The Lok Sabha on Thursday began discussions on a set of crucial legislative proposals aimed at operationalising 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures, as part of a three-day special sitting during the extended Budget Session.The House took up for consideration three key bills — the Constitution (131st) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 — following a division of votes over their introduction.
The proposed legislation is designed to pave the way for implementing women’s reservation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies by addressing key structural requirements, including the redrawing of constituency boundaries and an increase in the number of seats.The government has maintained that the measures are essential to expedite the rollout of the long-pending quota, ensuring greater representation of women in legislative bodies across the country.

VIDEO | Parliament Special Session: Speaking in Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, says, "To take the Women's Reservation Bill to a logical end, these two laws are necessary, that is why these two laws have been brought together. The opposition is opposing the bills… pic.twitter.com/hqcdJyELQS

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 16, 2026

According to the schedule, voting on the passage of the bills will take place at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, marking a significant step in the legislative process.The deliberations are expected to see participation from members across party lines, with the bills carrying substantial political and social significance as they seek to reshape India’s electoral framework and enhance inclusivity in governance.