PolityGovernance
News 4 of 27

Women's Reservation Bill 2026 Defeated in Lok Sabha; Nari Shakti Vandan Act 2023 Awaits Implementation Based on Census & Delimitation

PolitySocial IssuesCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
30 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:13.6% women in 18th LS14.36% highest in LS historyRank 147/190 (IPU)106th Amendment Act, 202315-year reservation period
Bodies:ParliamentDelimitation CommissionInter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)Constituent AssemblySupreme Court
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, failed to secure a 2/3rd majority in Lok Sabha, halting its linked Delimitation Bill.

2.Women's representation in the Lok Sabha has never exceeded 15%, with the 18th Lok Sabha (2024-29) having 13.6% women MPs.

3.The enacted Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 (106th Amendment) mandates 33% reservation but awaits implementation post-census and delimitation.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The recent defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which sought to implement 33% reservation for women in legislatures, has reignited the debate on political representation. This news is critical for aspirants as it connects the historical legislative journey, the 2023 Nari Shakti Vandan Act, and the constitutional framework (Articles 15, 330A, 332A) in a single current affairs issue.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Women MPs in 18th LS75 out of 543 (13.6%)
Highest % of Women in LS14.36% (2019-24)
India's Global Rank (IPU)147 out of ~190
Women in Rajya Sabha39 out of 245 (~16%)
106th Amendment ActNari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023
Reservation Duration15 years (extendable by Parliament)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Women MPs in 18th LS: 75 out of 543 (13.6%)
  • ›Highest % of Women in LS: 14.36% (2019-24)
  • ›Target this Data: 13.6% - Women MPs in the 18th Lok Sabha (2024-29).
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Delimitation Commission - key to implementing the reservation.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Articles 330A & 332A - newly inserted by the 106th Amendment for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

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

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

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, is contingent on an exercise to be undertaken by which of the following bodies?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding women's representation in India:

1. The share of women in the Lok Sabha has consistently been above 15% since the first general election.

2. The Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, reserves one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

3. The reservation for women under the 106th Amendment includes a sub-quota for women from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes within their respective reserved seats.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the April 2026 data cited in the article, what was India's rank in terms of women's representation in the lower houses of Parliament, as tracked by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was a primary argument put forth by members like Hansa Mehta and Renuka Ray in the Constituent Assembly against the reservation of seats for women?

All 25 MCQs ▸
Read original article from Indian Express
You finished this topic
Practice 3 MCQs from this newsNext Article
Explore Related Topics
PolityView Topic MCQs →Social IssuesView Topic MCQs →
PreviousSupreme Court Notices on Pleas to Extend Creamy Layer to SC/ST Quotas Based on 2024 Davinder Singh JudgmentNext SC Orders ISRO Daily Wage Workers Regularisation, Grants Permanent Status Retrospectively from 2010 Under Article 14
Related Current Affairs
Polity Current Affairs

Govt to SC: Only Parliament Can Extend Creamy Layer to SC/ST; Cites Article 341, E V Chinnaiah Case

The government has told the Supreme Court that extending the creamy layer principle to SC/ST is a policy decision for Parliament alone. This reaffirms that reservation for SC/ST is based on historical social criteria, not just economic status, and the creamy layer concept currently applies only to OBCs.

Polity Current Affairs

2026 Amendment Penalises Disruption of Vande Mataram Singing (Up to 3 Years Jail); Bijoe Emmanuel Case Protects Silent Dissent

The 2026 amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act gives Vande Mataram the same criminal protection as the national anthem, but it does not compel singing. The Supreme Court's Bijoe Emmanuel ruling protects the right to remain silent if participation conflicts with conscience. This has implications for freedom of religion (Articles 25-26) and freedom of speech (Article 19(1)(a)).

Polity Current Affairs

SC Quashes All NEET Protest FIRs Under CJI Surya Kant; Raises Selective Justice Issue on Right to Peaceful Protest

The Supreme Court quashed all FIRs against NEET student protesters, affirming the constitutional right to peaceful protest. However, the editorial raises concerns about selective justice, noting that cases against factory workers, CAA protesters, and farmers remain pending, potentially criminalizing dissent based on the protester's identity.

Polity Current Affairs

Rajya Sabha Passes Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026, Raising Judge Strength to 38

The Rajya Sabha has cleared the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, raising the apex court's sanctioned strength from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. The Bill replaces a May ordinance, but Opposition MPs questioned the ordinance route and highlighted the persistent diversity deficit in judicial appointments. This is a high-yield Polity topic for Prelims and Mains, with concrete data on SC/ST/OBC/minority/women representation and judiciary infrastructure.

Polity Current Affairs

CBSE 3-Language Policy: SC Informed of Implementation Plan for Class 9 Students

The Supreme Court is reviewing the CBSE's new policy making three languages, including at least two Indian languages, compulsory for Class 9 students. The Centre has informed the court it is working on an implementation plan, addressing concerns about student pressure and infrastructure. This is a key test of the National Education Policy 2020's implementation in schools.

Polity Current Affairs

Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 Passed in Lok Sabha Without Debate; SC Issues Notice on Polygamy Ban

Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 without debate amid opposition protests over police crackdown. Simultaneously, the Supreme Court issued notice on a plea to ban polygamy, sentenced Tahir Hussain to life imprisonment for murder of an IB officer, and stayed arrest of former TN minister Senthilbalaji. Multiple other judicial and state-level developments occurred.

Polity Current Affairs

BCI Orders Nationwide Inspection of Law Colleges, Bans Shift-Based Programmes in 6 Weeks

The Bar Council of India has directed all universities to physically inspect affiliated law colleges within six weeks and submit compliance reports. This follows Supreme Court concerns and a High Court judgment reaffirming universities' duty to ensure compliance. The BCI targets shift-based programmes and inadequate facilities, aiming to curb sub-standard legal education.

Polity Current Affairs

Over 5.93 Lakh Cases Pending, 860+ Posts Vacant in Consumer Commissions: Centre in Lok Sabha

Nearly 5.93 lakh cases are pending across the three-tier consumer dispute redressal system (NCDRC, SCDRCs, DCDRCs) as of July 2026. Over 860 posts of presidents and members are vacant, contributing to the backlog. The data was tabled in Lok Sabha in response to a question by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Yeshwant Desai.

Start Today's Quiz(25 Qs)