The Centre on Thursday, April 16, notified the Women’s Reservation Act 2023, which gave 33 per cent quota to women in legislatures.
Photo : AP
The Women’s Reservation Act 2023, which gave 33 per cent quota to women in legislatures, came into force on Thursday, according to a notification issued by the Union Law Ministry, as reported by PTI. The act, known as ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, was passed by the Parliament in September 2023. The act has been notified by the central government in the midst of the debate in Parliament to amend the same law for its implementation in 2029.
The notification read: “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, the Central Government hereby appoints the 16th day of April, 2026 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force.”
Centre brings into force the 2023 women’s reservation law with effect from April 16,2026. pic.twitter.com/pywfrc5rts
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) April 17, 2026
Although, the act has been notified, the reservation cannot be implemented in the current House, an official told the news agency. Reservation for women can be implemented after carrying out a delimitation exercise on the basis of the next census, the official said, according to PTI.
‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’
The ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, commonly known as the Women’s Reservation Act, was passed by the Parliament of India in September 2023. The act was seen as a significant step towards enhancing women’s representation in legislative bodies as it provided for the reservation of one-third of seats for women in Lok Sabha and state legislative Assemblies.
Under the 2023 law, the reservation would not become enforceable before 2034, as it was tied to the completion of the delimitation exercise post 2027 Census.
NDA, Opposition Leaders Spar Over Women’s Reservation, Delimitation Bills
Three bills are currently being debated in the Lok Sabha, which were brought in by the government so that the women’s quota could be implemented in 2029. The three bills are — Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, Delimitation Bill, 2026 and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
