TNI Bureau: In a major political setback for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the proposed 131st Constitution Amendment Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha after failing to secure the required majority. The bill, which sought to enable delimitation of constituencies based on the 2011 Census and pave the way for implementing women’s reservation, garnered 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed for a constitutional amendment.

The government subsequently withdrew the Delimitation Bill, which was seen as the core legislative step required to operationalise the proposed restructuring of Lok Sabha seats. The move came amid stiff resistance from opposition parties, who raised concerns over the timing of delimitation and its potential political implications, particularly for southern states that have controlled population growth more effectively.

The 131st Amendment Bill aimed to revise the existing freeze on seat allocation and facilitate a fresh delimitation exercise, a prerequisite for implementing reservations for women in Parliament under the broader constitutional framework. However, the lack of consensus and insufficient numbers in the House forced the government to step back.

Despite the setback, the Centre has moved forward with notifying the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, officially known as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, on April 16, 2026. The law provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.

Government sources clarified that while delimitation remains a key component for full-scale implementation, the notification of the Act allows the Centre to initiate reservation of seats for women at an appropriate time. However, opposition leaders argue that without delimitation, the rollout of reservations could face legal and logistical hurdles.

The developments mark a significant moment in India’s legislative landscape, highlighting both the progress and challenges in advancing women’s political representation. While the notification of the Women’s Reservation Act signals intent, the failure to pass the delimitation-linked amendment raises fresh questions about the roadmap for its implementation.