Women’s reservation: No fixed LS seat count; South likely to gain
The Constitution amendment bill proposing 33 per cent reservation for women from 2029 does not specify the exact number of Lok Sabha seats to be enhanced from the current 543, stating that the total membership should be “not more than” 850, with the final figure to be decided by a delimitation commission.
Government sources said the allocation of seats among states and union territories will be based on proportional representation, and southern states are likely to benefit under this formula.
The final number of seats will be determined by a delimitation commission, and the bill therefore does not specify an exact strength, stating only that the Lok Sabha shall comprise “not more than 815 members” chosen via direct elections from states and “not more than 35 members” from Union Territories. “The figure of 850 represents only the upper limit for the total number of Lok Sabha seats,” sources said. The 2011 Census will serve as the reference point, and due to more effective population control in southern states, they could see a relative advantage in seat allocation compared to northern states, where population growth has been higher. Sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak in the Lok Sabha on the bill and provide details on the “historic” step taken by the government.
Discussion and voting in the Lok Sabha will take place on April 16 and 17.
A total of 18 hours has been allotted for the debate on the three legislations — the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and the Delimitation Bill, 2026.
Discussions and voting in the Rajya Sabha will take place on April 18.
A duration of 10 hours has been set for the proceedings. Sources also said that the election for the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha will be held on April 16 and 17.
