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Women’s Reservation Bill 2023: Roadmap to 33% Quota in 2029 Elections: Sample Q&A
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (128th Amendment) mandates 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies, effective post-delimitation. Slated for the 2029 elections, its implementation hinges on India’s delayed census and boundary redrawing.
The 128th Amendment: Key Provisions
33% Reservation: One-third seats reserved for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
Sunset Clause: Reservation expires 15 years post-commencement (renewable by Parliament).
Delimitation Trigger: Implementation only after boundary redrawing based on the first post-act census (likely 2027).
Why Delimitation is Crucial
Constitutional Mandate: Article 82 requires seat readjustment post-census.
Current Freeze: The 42nd Amendment paused delimitation until 2031 (extended in 2001).
Timeline Challenge:
Census 2021 (now delayed to 2024–2025).
Data publication by 2027 → Delimitation Commission formed → New boundaries by 2029.
Key Debates & Challenges
Quota Within Quota:
OBC/SC/ST women demand sub-reservation (not addressed in the bill).
Implementation Delays:
Census delays push women’s quota to 2029 elections (not 2024).
Global Standing:
India ranks 141st in WEF’s Gender Gap Report 2023 (political empowerment).
Current Representation:
Only 15% women in Lok Sabha (2024), below global average (26.5%).
Why Women’s Political Empowerment Matters
Policy Impact: Higher participation correlates with education/health investment.
Economic Growth: Bridging gender gaps could add $770B to India’s GDP by 2025 (McKinsey).
Behavioral Shift: “Respect for women” requires policy action (reservation) + societal change (gender sensitization).
The Way Forward
Urgent Census: Digital enumeration (2024) to fast-track delimitation.
Constitutional Amendments: Modify Articles 82 and 170(3) for post-2026 delimitation.
Quota Sub-Categorization: Future bills must address intersectional marginalization.
Sample Q&A for Exams
Q: Which constitutional articles govern delimitation for women’s reservation?
A: Articles 82 (Lok Sabha) and 170(3) (State Assemblies).
Q: Why is the 2023 Women’s Reservation Bill linked to delimitation?
A: To ensure seat allocation reflects post-census demographic changes.
Q: What is the ‘quota within quota’ demand?
A: Reservation for OBC/SC/ST women within the 33% quota.
Q: When will women’s reservation likely be implemented?
A: 2029 Lok Sabha elections (post-2027 delimitation).
Q: Which amendment extended the delimitation freeze to 2031?
A: The 84th Amendment Act, 2001.
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