Implementation of Women's Reservation Act 2023 Begins

The Women's Reservation Act 2023, which mandates a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, has officially come into effect. While the act is now in place, its actual implementation is tied to the completion of the delimitation process following the next census. This significant legislation, passed in September 2023, aims to enhance women's representation in legislative bodies. The government is currently discussing related bills to ensure the reservation is operational by 2029. This article delves into the details of the act, its timeline, and the implications for women's representation in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 17, 2026, 10:41 IST

Women's Reservation Act Comes into Effect

New Delhi: The Women's Reservation Act 2023, which mandates a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, officially came into effect on Thursday. This information was shared through a notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice. However, it remains unclear why the act was notified to take effect from April 16, 2023, amidst ongoing discussions in Parliament regarding amendments to this law and its implementation in 2029.

An official cited technical issues related to the implementation of the law but did not elaborate further. The official mentioned that while the act is now in effect, the reservation cannot be operationalized in the current assembly. It can only be implemented after the delimitation process is completed based on the next census.

Effective from April 16
According to the notification, exercising the powers conferred by subsection (2) of section 1 of the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, the central government has declared April 16, 2026, as the date from which the provisions of the act will be applicable.

Bill Passed in 2023
In September 2023, Parliament passed the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Act', commonly referred to as the Women's Reservation Act, marking a significant step towards enhancing women's representation in legislative bodies.

33% Reservation for Women
The act reserves one-third of the seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Under the 2023 law, this reservation cannot be implemented before 2034, as it is linked to the completion of the delimitation process following the 2027 census. The government has introduced three bills currently under discussion in the Lok Sabha to facilitate the implementation of women's reservation by 2029.