Parliament Fails to Pass 131st Amendment

Parliamentary Special Session Overview and Constitutional Amendment Attempt

• Session Dates: Special Session of Parliament held from April 16 to April 18, 2026.

• Constitutional Amendment: Discussion focused on the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill, 2026.

• Proposals in the Bill:

  • Increase in Lok Sabha Strength: Proposal to raise the number of Lok Sabha members from 543 to 850.
    • Breakdown: 816 seats for States and 34 for Union Territories.
  • Reservation for Women: Implementation of 33% reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
  • Delimitation Basis: The delimitation exercise was to be based on population data from Census 2011.

• Implications of the Proposal:

  • Expected redistribution of Lok Sabha seats favoring larger and more populous States.

• Outcome of the Bill:

  • The Bill was ultimately defeated as it did not achieve the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.
  • Support garnered: Only 298 members were in favor, against the necessary 352 votes from a total of 528 present members.

• Constitutional Articles: Implications on representation and gender equality under Article 243D (reservation for women in local bodies) and Article 80 (Composition of the Rajya Sabha).

• Political Context and Importance: The attempt to amend the Constitution underscores ongoing discussions regarding women's representation in government and the challenges associated with modifying electoral structures.

This summary provides an organized outline covering the significant aspects of the legislative efforts regarding the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill, 2026, along with their potential impact on parliamentary representation and women's participation in governance.