PolityGovernance
News 5 of 22

Women's Reservation Bill 2023: Constitution 106th Amendment Passed, 33% Quota Pending Delimitation

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
17 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:13.6%4.9%33%106th Amendment
Bodies:Constituent AssemblyParliamentUnited Nations
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, providing 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, was passed unanimously and awaits implementation post-delimitation.

2.During Constituent Assembly debates (1946-50), Hansa Mehta and Renuka Ray strongly opposed reservation for women, advocating for advancement based on merit and formal equality instead.

3.The historical opposition from women leaders and the recent legislative passage create a complex narrative essential for Mains questions on gender equality, representation, and constitutional morality.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

This article provides crucial historical context on the women's reservation debate, tracing opposition back to the Constituent Assembly. It explains the legislative journey of the 33% quota, culminating in the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, and highlights its current status awaiting delimitation. Understanding this history is vital for answering polity questions on affirmative action and constitutional amendments.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Current Women in LS13.6%
Women in 1st LS (1951-52)4.9%
Reservation Quota33%
Constitutional Amendment106th

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Current Women in LS: 13.6%
  • ›Women in 1st LS (1951-52): 4.9%
  • ›Target this Data: 13.6% (current women in LS) and 4.9% (women in 1st LS)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Delimitation Commission (for implementation)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which constitutional body is responsible for the delimitation exercise necessary to implement the Women's Reservation Act?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the women's reservation debate in the Constituent Assembly:

1. Hansa Mehta and Renuka Ray were the only two women members who opposed reservation for women.

2. R K Chaudhari was the sole male member who argued in favor of reservation for women.

3. The Government of India Act, 1935, provided for reservation of seats for women in the legislature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what percentage of legislators in the Lok Sabha were women after the first general election of 1951-52?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was the primary argument advanced by Hansa Mehta and Renuka Ray against legislating reservation for women in the Constituent Assembly?

All 25 MCQs ▸
You finished this topic
Explore Related Topics
Related Current Affairs
Polity Current Affairs

Constitution 131st Amendment Bill: Lok Sabha Expansion to 850 Seats, Tamil Nadu Parties Divided

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which sought to increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850 and enable fresh delimitation before 2029, failed to secure the required two-thirds majority. Tamil Nadu's political parties remain divided, with the DMK demanding a freeze on seats based on the 1971 Census for 25 more years. This issue tests federal principles and the balance of political representation, making it critical for UPSC polity and governance preparation.

Polity Current Affairs

Justice Liberhan Commission: Babri Masjid Demolition Was a Well-Planned Civil Conspiracy

Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, head of the one-man Commission of Inquiry into the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition, passed away. His 2009 report concluded the demolition was a meticulously planned civil conspiracy involving RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal, BJP, and Shiv Sena — a finding he never retracted despite the 2020 CBI court acquittals.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Split Verdict on CEC/EC Appointment Act, 2023; Matter Referred to CJI for Constitution Bench

A two-judge Supreme Court bench has split on whether to refer the challenge to the CEC and ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 to a five-judge Constitution Bench. With Justice Dipankar Datta disagreeing with Justice S C Sharma, the case now goes to the CJI for constituting a larger bench. For aspirants, this is a direct link to Article 324, the Anoop Baranwal verdict, and the independence of the Election Commission.

Polity Current Affairs

AP High Court Declares Three-Capitals Petitions Infructuous; Amaravati Now Sole Capital Under AP Reorganisation (Amendment) Act 2026

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has deemed all petitions against the proposed three-capitals model as infructuous after Parliament amended the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, making Amaravati the sole capital by law. This ends a long-standing political and legal battle, with implications for state governance and federal structure.

Polity Current Affairs

Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 Passed in Lok Sabha: Digital Records Now Admissible Evidence

Lok Sabha passed the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026, replacing the 1891 Act, to make digital and virtual records admissible as evidence in courts. The bill was passed by voice vote without debate amid Opposition protests. This reform updates colonial-era banking evidence law for the digital age.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Strength Increased to 38 Judges: Will It Reduce Pendency and Free Up Constitution Benches?

Parliament has passed a bill increasing Supreme Court judge strength from 34 to 38, aimed at enabling regular Constitution Benches and reducing case backlog (92,101 cases pending as of Jan 1, 2026). However, past Law Commission reports question if more judges alone can solve pendency, and the real impact depends on filling vacancies and judicial management.

Polity Current Affairs

Lok Sabha Passes Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026; State Renamed 'Keralam' via Article 3

The Lok Sabha has passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to change the state's name from 'Kerala' to 'Keralam' in the Constitution. The Bill follows two unanimous state assembly resolutions and must now be passed by Rajya Sabha and receive President's assent. This is a key example of Article 3 procedure for state name change.

Polity Current Affairs

Rajya Sabha Passes NCDC (Amendment) Bill 2026 Expanding Direct Loans to Cooperatives

Rajya Sabha passed the NCDC (Amendment) Bill 2026, empowering the National Cooperative Development Corporation to give loans and grants directly to cooperative societies. The bill also expands the definition of foodstuffs to include processed food, marking a structural shift in cooperative sector financing. For exam aspirants, this is significant for both Polity (bill passage process, federalism debate) and Economy (cooperative credit, role of NCDC).