Foundation
Static background & why it matters
Overview
Women's reservation in legislative bodies is a long-standing proposal for affirmative action to ensure adequate representation of women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. It seeks to address the historical underrepresentation of women in political decision-making, drawing parallels with reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, is the latest legislative attempt to enshrine this principle constitutionally.
Addresses gender inequality in political representation, a significant social and political reform with implications for democratic participation and governance.
Key facts
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023
The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, passed by Parliament in 2023, providing for 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
Delimitation
The process of redrawing boundaries of Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituencies to reflect changes in population, a prerequisite for the implementation of women's reservation.
Article 330A
New article inserted by the 2023 Adhiniyam, providing for reservation of seats for women in the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
Article 332A
New article inserted by the 2023 Adhiniyam, providing for reservation of seats for women in the Legislative Assemblies of States.
Article 334A
New article inserted by the 2023 Adhiniyam, specifying the commencement and duration of the reservation, linking it to the first census conducted after the Adhiniyam's commencement and subsequent delimitation.