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Parliament on verge of history, says PM Modi, as it readies to take up women's bills

April 14, 2026 4 min read Polity & Governance Social Issues GS Paper 2
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What Happened

  • 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.

Static Topic Bridges

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.

  • 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.

Connection to this news: 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.

  • 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).

Connection to this news: 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.

  • 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.

Connection to this news: 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.

Key Facts & Data

  • 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