Government outlines plan to expand Lok Sabha strength to 815 seats with one-third reserved for women as debate intensifies over quota and delimitation framework.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the Lok Sabha during the debate on women’s reservation and delimitation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday pitched the women’s reservation and delimitation exercise as a defining moment in India’s democratic journey, urging Parliament to rise to the occasion and shape a lasting legacy.
The remarks came as the Lok Sabha took up a set of key Bills linked to women’s reservation and delimitation, with the government pushing for consensus around what it has described as a major structural reform aimed at improving representation.
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Speaking in the House, Modi said, “The need was that when this idea was first conceived 25-30 years ago, and the need was felt, we should have implemented it, and today we have brought it to a mature stage. According to the need, it is also improved from time to time, and this is the beauty of democracy. Ours is the Mother of Democracy. Our democracy has been a development journey for thousands of years, and all of us in this House have the auspicious opportunity to add a new dimension to this development journey…”
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Without going into the specifics of the debate, the Prime Minister framed the discussion as one of those rare turning points in a nation’s history.
“Discussion on this important bill began this morning. Many members have raised various issues, and we will provide detailed and accurate information to the House on those matters. That is why I do not wish to go into those specifics. There are some important moments in the life of a country. At such a time, the mindset of the society and the capability of the leadership capture that moment and turn it into an asset for the nation, creating a strong legacy. In the history of India’s parliamentary democracy, these are such moments…” he said.
Sharpening his appeal, the Prime Minister also underlined the responsibility of lawmakers to act decisively at what he described as a critical juncture.
“I said at the outset that we are all fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in such an important, nation-building process involving half the country’s population… We MPs must not let this important opportunity slip away. Together, we Indians are going to give the country a new direction. We are going to make a meaningful effort to infuse our governance system with sensitivity. This will not only shape the nation’s politics, but it will also determine the direction and condition of the country…” he said.
#WATCH | Speaking in Lok Sabha on women’s reservation and delimitation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “I said at the outset that we are all fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in such an important, nation-building process involving half the country’s… pic.twitter.com/KmgfLnIkZZ
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2026
The Prime Minister also had a pointed message for those opposing the move, cautioning against viewing the issue through a narrow political lens.
“I’d also like to offer advice to those who think only in political terms. Ever since the discussion about women’s reservations began in our country, and every election that followed, whoever opposed this right for women, the women of the country have not forgiven them…”
#WATCH | Speaking in Lok Sabha on women’s reservation and delimitation, PM Modi says, “I’d also like to offer advice to those who think only in political terms. Ever since the discussion about women’s reservations began in our country, and every election that followed, whoever… pic.twitter.com/KhvBYrlXLx
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2026
Earlier in the day, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal opened the debate, describing the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, as a key step towards gender equality.
Invoking Dr BR Ambedkar, Meghwal said, “I assess a community’s advancement by the level of progress made by women,” while backing the move to reserve seats for women in legislative bodies.
He also cited former President APJ Abdul Kalam to underline that the proposal had long been anticipated. “The allocation of 33 per cent of seats is certain to happen. It’s simply a matter of time, Abdul Kalam indicated then, and that time has arrived now,” he said, crediting the government for taking what he termed a historic step.
Outlining the provisions, Meghwal said the Lok Sabha’s strength would increase by 50 per cent to 815 seats, with 272 seats reserved for women, in line with the one-third quota.
He added that the changes would not reduce the representation of any state or affect sitting male MPs. The implementation of the quota, he said, would be based on the census after 2026 and subsequent delimitation.
Earlier, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed the House that an extended discussion on the Bills would continue, with voting scheduled for Friday.
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