The Centre is set to table a set of key bills in Parliament on Thursday, including those related to delimitation, women’s reservation, and increased representation for Union Territories, in what is being seen as a major political and legislative moment ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The proposed measures aim to operationalise 33% reservation for women in legislatures, but also hinge on a broader redrawing of electoral constituencies.

At the core of the legislative package is the women’s reservation law, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which links implementation of the quota to a delimitation exercise based on census data. The government is expected to rely on the 2011 Census for this process, enabling the rollout of one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies before the next general election cycle. 

However, the bills face a significant parliamentary arithmetic challenge. Constitutional amendment bills require a two-thirds majority of members present and voting in both Houses. In the Lok Sabha, where the effective strength is 537, the required number stands at 360, while the ruling NDA currently has 293 members, leaving it short by 67 seats. In the Rajya Sabha, the alliance is also below the required mark by 21 seats. 

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The delimitation proposal, which involves redrawing constituency boundaries, is expected to substantially increase the total number of Lok Sabha seats. Estimates suggest that the House could expand from the current 543 seats to over 800, with a proportional rise in seats for Union Territories as well. This expansion is intended to accommodate women’s reservation without reducing existing representation.

Opposition parties have broadly supported the idea of women’s reservation but have raised concerns over its linkage with delimitation. Critics argue that using population-based data for seat redistribution could disproportionately benefit northern states while reducing the relative representation of southern states, potentially altering the federal balance. 

The upcoming debate is expected to be contentious, with several regional parties also expressing reservations about the delimitation framework. As Parliament convenes for the special session, the outcome of these bills could significantly reshape India’s electoral landscape, with implications for representation, gender parity, and regional political dynamics in the years ahead.

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