Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wrote to the floor leaders of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, emphasising the importance of implementing women’s reservation in the 2029 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
Ahead of the three-day special sitting of Parliament, Modi urged all political parties to unite in support of amendments to the law. He highlighted that societal progress depends on providing women the opportunity to participate, make decisions, and lead.
"After extensive deliberations, we have concluded that the time has come to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Act) in its true spirit across the country," Modi wrote.
Modi further remarked that the implementation of the Women's Reservation Act in 2029 will infuse new energy into India's democratic institutions and strengthen public trust and it will also ensure greater participation and representation in governance.
The 2023 constitutional amendment provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, the women's quota would have come into effect only after the completion of the delimitation exercise on the basis of the 2027 Census.
This means the reservation would not have been enforceable before 2034 under the original law. So, the government is now bringing amedments to implement it from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
If passed, the amendment will increase Lok Sabha seats to 816, reserving 273 seats for women.
A special three-day sitting of Parliament, as an extension of the budget session, has been scheduled from April 16 to 18.
Meanwhile, the BJP has issued a three-line whip to all its MPs, instructing them to be present in their respective Houses during the extended budget session.
"A Three-Line Whip is being issued to all BJP Members in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha from Thursday to Saturday, 16th to 18th April 2026," the party said.
"Presence in the House is mandatory. No leave will be granted. Members are requested to strictly comply with the Whip and ensure uninterrupted attendance in the House," it added.
