Amid intense debate in Parliament, the Women’s Reservation Act 2023 comes into force at midnight; government issues notification
In a significant and somewhat unexpected development, the Central Government has officially brought the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 into force with a midnight notification issued by the Union Law Ministry. The move comes even as Parliament continues to witness intense debate over the implementation framework and related amendments.
According to the notification, the provisions of the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023—popularly known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam—came into effect from April 16, 2026.
The legislation mandates 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, marking a historic step toward enhancing women’s representation in Indian politics.
However, despite the law coming into force, its actual implementation will not be immediate. Officials have clarified that the reservation will only be लागू after the next Census and subsequent delimitation process, meaning its impact is expected to be visible from the 2029 general elections.
The timing of the notification has raised eyebrows, as it coincides with an ongoing high-voltage debate in Parliament over possible amendments, including proposals to increase Lok Sabha seats and delink reservation from the delimitation condition.
While the government has defended the move as a procedural step, opposition leaders have questioned both the timing and intent, alleging political motivations behind the decision. The debate has also expanded to include demands for sub-quotas for women from OBC and minority communities.
Despite the political divide, the law is widely seen as a landmark reform—ending decades of legislative deadlock and potentially reshaping India’s democratic landscape by ensuring greater gender parity in governance.
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