Parliament on verge of history, says PM Modi, as it readies to take up women's bills
A special session of Parliament was announced from April 16–18, 2026, to take up legislation related to the implementation of women's reservation in elected bodies.
The Prime Minister described the session as a "historic moment," calling it one of the biggest decisions of the 21st century for India's democracy.
The proposed amendment seeks to delink the commencement of women's reservation from the completion of a fresh census and delimitation, enabling earlier implementation — potentially for the 2029 general elections.
The Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023 — the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam — passed both Houses of Parliament in September 2023 but its commencement is tied to delimitation following the next census.
All major parties had supported the original 2023 amendment, but the 2026 amendment to advance the timeline triggered significant political debate.
The 106th Constitutional Amendment — Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam
The Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, popularly known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, is a landmark constitutional provision reserving one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
Key Details
- Passed in Lok Sabha on 20 September 2023 (454 votes in favour, 2 against); passed in Rajya Sabha on 21 September 2023 (214–0); received Presidential assent on 29 September 2023.
- Inserts Article 330A (reservation for women in Lok Sabha, including sub-reservation within SC/ST seats), Article 332A (same for State Legislative Assemblies), and Article 334A (sunset clause — reservation operative for 15 years from commencement; parliamentary review after 70 years of the Act).
- Also amends Article 239AA to extend the reservation to the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
- Reservation includes one-third of seats reserved for SC and ST women within the broader SC/ST quota.
- Critical condition: Article 334A specifies that reservation shall take effect only after the census is conducted and delimitation of constituencies is carried out following that census.
The 2026 special session was aimed at amending Article 334A to remove or modify the census-delimitation precondition, enabling the reservation to take effect before the 2029 general elections.
Legislative History of Women's Reservation in India
The idea of one-third reservation for women in Parliament has a long legislative history spanning three decades, making its eventual passage historically significant.
Key Details
- First introduced as the 81st Constitutional Amendment Bill, 1996 during the Deve Gowda government — lapsed without passage.
- Reintroduced multiple times under the Vajpayee government (NDA) — also failed to secure requisite support.
- The UPA government introduced a Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha in 2010, which passed the Rajya Sabha but lapsed with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha in 2014.
- The current 106th Amendment is the first time the legislation was passed by both Houses of Parliament.
- Over 27 years elapsed between the first Bill (1996) and the enacted Amendment (2023).
The Prime Minister's description of Parliament being "on the verge of history" referenced this long legislative journey; the 2026 session represents the next milestone — moving from enactment to actual implementation.
Amendment Procedure — Special Majority Requirement
A Constitutional Amendment of this nature requires a special majority under Article 368 of the Constitution.
Key Details
- Article 368 governs the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution.
- A special majority means: (a) a majority of the total membership of each House, AND (b) a majority of not less than two-thirds of members present and voting in each House.
- Since the amendment affects representation in State Legislatures, it also requires ratification by at least half the State Legislatures under the proviso to Article 368(2).
- The 106th Amendment, affecting Articles 330A, 332A, and 334A, required ratification by States — this was completed before Presidential assent.
- Simple majority (more than 50% of members present and voting) is NOT sufficient for constitutional amendments.
Any further amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to modify the delimitation precondition would also require the same special majority and state ratification procedure.
- 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023 — Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam
- One-third (33%) reservation for women in Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and Delhi Assembly
- Articles inserted: 330A (Lok Sabha), 332A (State Assemblies), 334A (sunset and conditions)
- Presidential assent: 29 September 2023
- Lok Sabha vote: 454 in favour, 2 against (20 September 2023)
- Rajya Sabha vote: 214 in favour, 0 against (21 September 2023)
- Reservation operative for 15 years from commencement (extendable by Parliament)
- First women's reservation bill: 81st Constitutional Amendment Bill, 1996 (Deve Gowda government)
- Special majority under Article 368 required for constitutional amendments
- 2026 special Parliament session: April 16–18