Constitution amendment bill for women’s reservation fails in Lok Sabha
The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed to implement 33% women’s reservation in Lok Sabha and state assemblies by amending the 2023 Women’s Reservation Act and linking it to immediate delimitation.
Bill Failure
It failed in Lok Sabha on April 16-17, 2026, during a special session, lacking the required two-thirds majority (about 326 of 489 votes). Reports vary slightly on tallies—278 yes vs. 211 no, or 298 yes vs. 230 no—but all confirm shortfall, with zero abstentions.
Key Objections
Opposition rejected linking reservation to delimitation, fearing bias against southern states and federal imbalances after seat expansion. Marathon debates highlighted trust issues, with NDA protesting post-defeat.
Implications
Related Delimitation and UT Laws Bills were withdrawn as “linked,” delaying quota beyond 2029 elections; political fallout intensifies NDA-opposition rift.
