Overview
The Union government has made operational the women reservation in legislative assemblies of Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry and the date of operation was declared as April 17, 2026. This comes after the act of the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, which required Parliament and state legislatures to set aside 33% of its seats to women.
Constitutional Ground of Reservation.
The 106 th Constitutional Amendment gives a legal provision that women occupy one third of seats in Lok Sabha, State Assemblies and Delhi Legislative Assembly. It is one of the largest reforms that were made in order to increase the level of political participation and representation of women in governance.
Special Union Territory Laws.
Contrary to states, Union Territories, which have legislatures, need specific statutory support:
- In the case of Puducherry: Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Act, 2023.
- In the case of J&K: J&K Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Act, 2023.
Notifications were issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to have these provisions in force, to make the reservation laws applicable uniformly in these UTs.
The reason why Implementation will be delayed.
Even though the legal provisions have come into operation, the reservation of the seats will actually take place once there is a delimitation exercise which will be made based on the next Census. The legislation specifically connects implementation and post-census delimitation, presumably following Census 2027. Reserved seats thus are likely to be echoed in the elections only in the next cycle of electing.
Recent Legislative Developments (2026)
Three bills, such as the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, the Delhiimation Bill, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, were presented in 2026 to enable its implementation by 2029. They were however not authorized in the Lok Sabha. Nevertheless, the 106th Amendment still stands and the legal basis of reservation persists.
Exam-Focused Key Points
- The reservation of women was also expanded to J&K and Puducherry (April 17, 2026).
- Based on Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023.
- Provides 33% reservation in legislatures.
- Implementation associated with post-Census delimitation.
- Separate laws enacted for UTs with legislatures.
MCQs
Q1. In what Constitutional Amendment does the reservation of women in legislatures take place?
A. 101st Amendment
B. 103rd Amendment
C. 106th Amendment
D. 109th Amendment
Answer: C
Rationale: The Constitution (106 th Amendment) Act, 2023 gives 33 percent quota to women in Parliament and State Assemblies.
Q2. Why is reservation of women not taken as soon as the notification is made?
A. Lack of funding
B. Waiting on Supreme Court approval.
C. Delimitation post-Census.
D. Opposition from states
Answer: C
Explanation: The law only requires implementation once it has been delimited according to the following Census, which postpones