NEW DELHI – The Union Government is exploring legislative options to fast-track the 33% women’s reservation in Parliament and state assemblies, aiming for full implementation by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Sources indicate that the government may introduce a constitutional amendment in the current session to decouple the reservation from the census and delimitation process. Under the original Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023), the quota was tied to the completion of a national census and the subsequent redrawing of constituency boundaries.
Shifting Timelines
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Census Projections: With the digital census only approved in late 2025, data collection is not expected to be finalized until March 2027.
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Delimitation Delays: Sticking to the original timeline would likely push the reservation beyond the 2029 polls.
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Legislative Shift: To bypass these delays, the government is vetting a “decoupling” strategy to ensure the quota becomes operational regardless of the delimitation status.
The move follows consistent pressure from opposition groups who labeled the census link a tactical delay. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has hinted at a significant bill being introduced this session, though specific details remain under wraps as the government gauges cross-party support.
