CONTEXT

• The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, passed in September 2023, seeks to reserve one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• This 128th Constitutional Amendment links implementation to the post-2026 delimitation process.
• The last delimitation was frozen by the 42nd Amendment (1976) and extended by the 84th Amendment (2001) until after the first Census post-2026.

CONCEPT: CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

• Article 82: Mandates readjustment of Lok Sabha constituencies after every Census.
• Article 170(3): Governs delimitation for State Assemblies.
• The Delimitation Act must be passed by Parliament to initiate the process.
• Women’s reservation will come into effect only after delimitation based on the first Census after the Bill’s enactment.
• Census + Delimitation = Seat readjustment + New boundaries + Women’s reservation rollout.

CURRENT

• The 2021 Census, delayed due to COVID-19, is expected to start in 2025, with results available by 2026–27.
• Houselisting phase will precede actual data collection.
• Digital tools (mobile apps and central portals) will speed up data compilation.
• Government aims to complete delimitation before 2029 Lok Sabha polls, allowing women’s reservation to be implemented.
• Delimitation Commission will be formed after a new Delimitation Act is passed.
• Census figures will determine changes in seat numbers and boundaries.

Why It Matters

• Empowers women by guaranteeing legislative representation.
• Could lead to increase in total Lok Sabha seats due to population changes.
• Structural electoral reform with significant political implications.