What Happened
- The Indian National Congress held a meeting of its Congress Working Committee (CWC) on April 10, 2026, to deliberate on three issues: the government's proposed amendments to the Women's Reservation Act (106th Constitutional Amendment, 2023), the forthcoming delimitation exercise, and the West Asia conflict.
- The CWC meeting was held ahead of a three-day special session of Parliament beginning April 16, in which the government is expected to introduce the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill.
- Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge warned of "serious consequences" of the proposed delimitation exercise, while Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and senior leaders including Priyanka Gandhi, Jairam Ramesh, and Shashi Tharoor participated.
- Congress's stated concern: the government seeks to use 2011 Census data (rather than waiting for the new census) to expand Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 and implement women's reservation — which Congress alleges will advantage southern states disproportionately in constituency allocation under delimitation.
- Congress also demanded OBC representation be included alongside women's reservation, and sought details of the proposed amendment before Parliament convenes.
Static Topic Bridges
The 106th Constitutional Amendment (Nari Shakti Vandan Act, 2023)
The Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, reserves one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the NCT of Delhi, including one-third of seats reserved for SCs and STs.
- Passed by Parliament in a special session: Lok Sabha on September 20, 2023; Rajya Sabha on September 21, 2023.
- Inserts Articles 330A (Lok Sabha), 332A (State Assemblies), and 334A (sunset clause and census/delimitation condition).
- Article 334A stipulates that the reservation will come into effect only after: (i) the first census after the commencement of the Act is published, and (ii) a delimitation exercise based on that census is completed.
- The reservation is intended to last for fifteen years from the date of commencement, after which it lapses unless re-enacted.
- Does not include explicit provision for OBC women — a persistent demand from several opposition parties.
Connection to this news: The government's proposed amendment seeks to change the census/delimitation trigger under Article 334A — enabling implementation using the 2011 Census data (the last published census) and a new delimitation exercise, without waiting for the 2021 Census (significantly delayed due to COVID-19 and other factors).
Delimitation: Constitutional Basis and Historical Context
Delimitation is the process of redrawing the boundaries of constituencies and reallocating seats among states. It is carried out by the Delimitation Commission, a statutory body constituted under the Delimitation Act.
- Constitutional basis: Articles 82 (Lok Sabha after each census), 170 (State Assemblies), 330 (SC/ST reservation), and the new Article 334A.
- Delimitation Commission Act, 2002 governs the current framework.
- The last delimitation based on 1971 Census figures was frozen by the 42nd Amendment (1976) until 2001; the freeze was extended by the 84th Amendment (2001) until the first census after 2026.
- Article 81 fixes Lok Sabha seats at 543; expanding to 816 requires a constitutional amendment.
- States with faster population growth (largely in Hindi-speaking north India) would gain more seats in a delimitation based on current population — this is the source of southern states' concern, as their reduced fertility rates would effectively penalise them with fewer seats relative to their economic contribution.
Connection to this news: Congress's concern about delimitation being conducted alongside women's reservation centres on the fear that a post-delimitation Lok Sabha of 816 seats, with seats allocated on current population, would structurally shift political power northward — changing the federal balance. CWC members from Telangana and Karnataka (both present at the meeting) have the highest stake in this outcome.
Women's Political Representation in India: Current Status
India ranks significantly below global averages on women's political representation. The case for reservation is rooted in the consistent under-representation of women in legislatures despite comprising approximately half the population.
- As of 2024-25, women constitute approximately 15% of Lok Sabha members — among the lower figures for large democracies.
- The Panchayati Raj system (73rd and 74th Amendments, 1992) already mandates one-third (now one-half in several states) reservation for women in local bodies — with demonstrable impact on governance and representation.
- The Women's Reservation Bill was first introduced in Parliament in 1996 (11th Lok Sabha) and failed to pass repeatedly before the 2023 Act.
- OBC sub-quota within women's reservation remains unresolved — not addressed by the 106th Amendment.
Connection to this news: The CWC discussion reflects the political tension around implementation — reserving seats for women is broadly supported, but the timing mechanism (linked to census and delimitation) allows the trigger to be used strategically, raising concerns about which political parties and which states benefit.
Key Facts & Data
- 106th Constitutional Amendment (Nari Shakti Vandan Act): Passed September 2023.
- Inserts Articles 330A, 332A, and 334A into the Constitution.
- Reservation quantum: one-third of all seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
- Operative trigger (original): First census after 2023 + delimitation based on that census.
- Proposed amendment: Enable use of 2011 Census data instead of waiting for new census.
- Lok Sabha expansion proposed: 543 to 816 seats.
- Women's reservation in Panchayati Raj: mandated by 73rd and 74th Amendments (1992).
- Current women's representation in Lok Sabha: approximately 15%.
- Special Parliament session announced for April 16, 2026.