Lok Sabha may expand to 850 seats; women’s reservation push by 2029

New Delhi, Apr 15 (BNP): The Centre has proposed a major expansion of the Lok Sabha, increasing its strength to up to 850 seats as part of efforts to implement 33% reservation for women from the 2029 general elections. The proposal forms part of a constitutional amendment aimed at operationalising the provisions of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Under the proposal, around 815 seats would be allocated to states and 35 to Union Territories. This would require an amendment to Article 81 of the Constitution to revise the existing cap of 543 Lok Sabha seats.

Linked to Census and Delimitation
Seat allocation is proposed to be based on population data from the latest census, as determined by Parliament. The Centre is also expected to introduce a Delimitation Bill to redraw constituency boundaries in line with the revised seat structure.

Special Session of Parliament
The government is likely to table the constitutional amendment during a special sitting of Parliament scheduled from April 16 to 18. The session will focus on enabling the implementation of women’s reservation, which was passed in 2023 but remained contingent on a fresh census and delimitation exercise.

Faster Implementation Path
Sources indicate that the government may link the rollout of reservation to an earlier census dataset, such as 2011, to fast-track implementation ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Significant Structural Reform
If approved, the proposal would mark one of the most significant structural reforms to India’s parliamentary framework, expanding representation while paving the way for greater participation of women in national politics.

Further details regarding the bill and its implementation timeline are awaited.