For nearly four decades, the idea of reserving seats for women in India’s legislative bodies has remained a recurring promise—raised in debates, acknowledged across party lines, yet rarely translated into action. Our democracy takes pride in being inclusive, participatory, and representative. However, the representation of women is one gap that continues to stand out. Women who make up nearly half the population, are still far from equally represented in the country’s political institutions.

As Parliament gears for holding special session, from 16th -18th April 2026, the issue of women’s reservation in legislature returns with renewed urgency. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or Women Reservation Act passed in 2023, which provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, was widely welcomed and received support from across the political parties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while introducing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam bill in Parliament in 2023, described it as a “historic step towards strengthening Nari Shakti.” But passing a law is only the first step. What matters now is whether political parties are willing to come together and ensure that it is implemented in both letter and spirit from 2029 Lok Sabha elections onwards. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his recent address on this issue stated that delay in implementation of “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam” would be unfair to women. Prime Minister called for collective, cross-party cooperation to implement the law as a “national duty” rather than a political issue.

Equity and Not the Favour:

Women which constitute around 50% of the population currently hold only about 14% of seats in the Lok Sabha. This is not because women do not have capability or lack interest in politics but because of limited access to resources, fewer........

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