The Women Reservation Act 2023, which mandates 33% quota to women in Lok Sabha and the state assemblies came into force on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Reservation for women can be implemented after carrying out a delimitation exercise on the basis of the next Census, an official said.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, the Central Government hereby appoints the 16th day of April, 2026 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force,” the notification read, PTI reported.
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It remains unclear why the law was brought into force from April 16, amid an ongoing parliamentary debate on amending it for implementation in 2029. An official cited “technicalities” for the move without elaborating. The official, quoted by PTI, further explained that the reservation for women can be implemented after carrying out a delimitation exercise on the basis of the next Census.
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{{/usCountry}}Despite the notification, the reservation cannot be implemented in the current House, the official said, adding that it will take effect only after a delimitation exercise based on the next Census.
PM Modi on Women Reservation Bill
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the first day of the special session of the Parliament, pushing for all parties to “collectively” ensure the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023.
He said that the women's reservation bill would not “discriminate” against anyone and would not be “unfair.”
The special session of the Parliament's Budget session began Thursday, and is due to run from April 16 to April 18.
During his speech in Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister urged Opposition parties to support the Bill, while providing a “guarantee” that it would not lead to political benefit for a single group. He, however, said that if anyone raises objection to the bill, the women would not “forgive” them. Here are the key highlights from PM Modi's speech on the floor of the house.