Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called on political parties to work together to ensure 33% representation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on India's 80th Independence Day, Modi appealed to all political parties to come together to implement women's reservation as soon as possible. He said greater representation of women would allow them to contribute more to shaping the country's policies.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
PM Modi appealed to political parties for 33% women's representation.
The appeal was made during his August 15 Independence Day address.
The reservation covers the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
The 2023 constitutional amendment provides the framework for women's reservation.
Implementation is linked to a census and subsequent delimitation exercise.
A related Constitution Amendment Bill introduced in April 2026 was defeated in the Lok Sabha.
The Prime Minister's appeal comes against the backdrop of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, enacted through the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023. The law provides for one-third reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, with implementation linked to a census and subsequent delimitation exercise.
In April 2026, the government introduced the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeking changes connected with delimitation and the implementation of women's reservation. The Bill did not receive enough votes in the Lok Sabha and was defeated on April 17.
The latest appeal therefore puts women's political representation back at the centre of the national political discussion, particularly around the question of how and when the existing constitutional provision should be implemented.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Women's reservation could significantly increase the representation of women in India's elected legislatures. The issue is also connected to the wider debate over delimitation, making it an important subject in India's current political discourse.
