CURRENT AFFAIRS

Women Reservation Bill–Implementation and Impact

Introduction

The Women’s Reservation Bill, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, marks a historic shift in India’s political landscape. Passed in September 2023, the bill guarantees 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) and State Legislative Assemblies.

This landmark legislation is seen as a major step toward gender equality, inclusive governance, and empowerment of women in politics. But its real success depends on effective implementation and understanding its long-term impact on Indian society.

What is the Women’s Reservation Bill?

The Women’s Reservation Bill amends the Constitution of India to reserve one-third of all seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women candidates. It includes sub-reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) within the overall quota.

Key Provisions:

33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies.
Reservation to apply after the first delimitation exercise post-2026 census.
Valid for 15 years from the time of implementation.
Rotational reservation — the reserved constituencies will change in each election cycle.

Implementation Timeline

While the bill has been passed by both Houses of Parliament and received the President’s assent, the actual implementation will only begin after 2026, following the next delimitation of constituencies.

Why the delay?

The delimitation process, which redraws the boundaries of constituencies based on the latest census data, is scheduled post-2026.
This means the earliest possible implementation could be for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Why is the Women’s Reservation Bill Important?

1. Low Political Representation

As of 2024:

Only 15% of MPs in the Lok Sabha are women.
In many State Assemblies, the percentage is even lower.
This bill directly addresses this gender imbalance in elected bodies.

2. Empowering Women at the Top Level

Political representation often leads to policy influence. With more women in Parliament and Assemblies, issues like women’s safety, healthcare, education, and employment are more likely to receive attention.

3. Boosting Grassroots Participation

India already has 33% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions, which has significantly empowered rural women. The national-level reservation is expected to build on this momentum.

Pros of the Women’s Reservation Bill

✅ Gender Equality in Governance

The bill institutionalizes equal opportunity for women in decision-making roles.

✅ Political Inclusion of Marginalized Groups

By including SC/ST women in the sub-reservation, the bill promotes intersectional equity.

✅ Change in Social Attitudes

Greater visibility of women in politics may lead to a societal mindset shift, reducing patriarchy and encouraging more girls to aspire for leadership.

✅ Better Representation of Women’s Issues

Studies show that female lawmakers prioritize development, health, and education, leading to more inclusive policymaking.

Criticism and Concerns

❌ Delayed Implementation

Many activists and opposition leaders criticized the delay till post-2026, calling it “justice postponed”.

❌ Lack of OBC Reservation

The bill does not include Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the women’s quota, leading to demands for caste-based sub-reservation.

❌ Rotational Quotas May Undermine Continuity

Since reserved constituencies will rotate, incumbent women leaders may be displaced in each election cycle, affecting long-term leadership development.

Potential Impact on Indian Politics

🔹 Higher Female Participation

The bill could potentially bring over 180 women MPs to the Lok Sabha in the future, a massive increase from current levels.

🔹 Changing Party Dynamics

Political parties will be forced to field more female candidates, possibly altering traditional male-dominated ticket distribution practices.

🔹 Women-Led Governance

States like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, where women leaders have made strong impacts, show the positive outcomes of inclusive leadership. This trend may expand nationally.

Global Perspective

India joins countries like Rwanda, Nepal, and France, which have implemented legal quotas for women in legislatures. Notably:

Rwanda has over 60% female MPs, the highest in the world.
India, despite being the world's largest democracy, ranked 140+ in global female political representation before this bill.

Post Date: 09-09-2025