This significant amendment is formally known as the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023. However, it is popularly referred to as the Nari Shakti Vandana Adhiniyam.
It aims to reserve one-third (33%) of the seats for women in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament), the State Legislative Assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The reservation of seats for women will come into effect after the completion of the next delimitation exercise, which will be undertaken based on the first census conducted after the commencement of this Act.
The amendment also provides for the reservation of 33% of seats for women in the legislative bodies of every Union Territory, to be filled by persons chosen by direct election.
This historic bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Union Minister for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, not Thawar Chand Gehlot.
The bill received Presidential assent on 18 September 2023, making it the 106th Constitutional Amendment Act.
Key facts for competitive exams:
This amendment is a crucial step towards enhancing women's representation in India's political landscape.
It is often compared to the earlier attempts and discussions around women's reservation bills, highlighting the long journey towards its enactment.
Understanding the conditions for the implementation (delimitation and census) is vital for exam preparation.
