Government Plans 33% Reservation for Women Ahead of 2029 Elections
Introduction to Women's Reservation
The central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is contemplating the implementation of a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies before the general elections in 2029. This provision for women's reservation will come into effect only after the new delimitation of parliamentary constituencies. Currently, there is a statutory freeze on delimitation until 2026. To proceed with any delimitation thereafter, a constitutional amendment will be necessary, which requires approval from both houses of Parliament. According to sources, preparations are underway to ensure that once the freeze is lifted, the delimitation process can commence.
Concerns from Southern States
Southern states, which have historically performed better in population control, have expressed concerns that new delimitation based on current population figures may reduce their representation in Parliament. Officials have assured that the political participation of these southern states will not be compromised. Mechanisms are being considered to ensure that representation remains equitable and that states successful in population control do not suffer losses in the new seat-sharing formula.
Current Status of Women in Parliament
It is noteworthy that in the current 17th Lok Sabha, only 15% of the MPs are women, while the Rajya Sabha has just 12.2% female members. This is significantly lower than the global average of 25.5%. Across all states in India, women constitute only 8% of the total legislators.
Technology-Driven Census
The next census, originally scheduled for 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to utilize advanced technology to expedite the process. Sources indicate that a mobile application supporting data collection in 16 Indian languages will be employed, along with the integration of Aadhaar verification. Additionally, the census process will incorporate biometric data collection and artificial intelligence tools.