Women’s Reservation Act And Its Impact On India’s Public Policy Map

The number of Lok Sabha seats currently is 543. It is proposed to be increased to 850. Of this, approximately 280 seats will be reserved for women.

Initially, the 33% reservation for women was to follow the delimitation exercise after the completion of the new Census process. However, this would have delayed the reservation for women beyond 2029.

The three-day Parliament session is now intended to amend the clause allowing delimitation exercise to be based on the 2011 census, in order to allow 33% reservation for women in Parliament by the next general elections in 2029.

Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, in an exclusive meeting with The Secretariat, said that the amendment and delimitation exercise will have to be completed quickly, so that 33% reservation for women can be implemented before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, along with an increase in the number of seats.

The exercise may be tedious, but we are bound by the Constitution to implement the delimitation process and bring in 33% reservation for women 

— Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Labour and Employment Minister

The Women’s Reservation Act is a significant public policy reform linked to India’s constitutional framework and electoral restructuring. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been vocal about women-led development. However, women’s participation in Parliament is less than 15%, significantly lower than the global average of 27.5%.

The increase in women's representation in Parliament would have a direct impact on the economy.

A World Economic Forum report said that countries with higher female political representation consistently implement policies that support gender-equal labour markets, ensuring paid family leave, pay transparency, and childcare infrastructure. “These policies don’t just benefit women, they increase workforce participation, boost productivity, and fuel economic expansion,” the report read.

The bill has intensified political and social discussions. Some parties have demanded a separate reservation for OBC women, while others have described it as a major step towards women’s empowerment. According to experts, once implemented, this will significantly strengthen women’s role in the country’s politics.