Women’s Reservation Bill Gets President Droupadi Murmu’s Assent, Becomes Law

President Droupadi Murmu’s approval of the women’s reservation law, which seeks to provide women 33% of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, is a significant development. The president gave her assent on Thursday, according to a notification released by the law ministry on Friday.

It will thereafter be referred to as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act. Its provision states that “it shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.”

Article 239AA of the Constitution of India is amended. Seats shall be reserved for women in the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. As nearly as may be, one-third of the seats reserved for the Scheduled Castes in the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi shall be reserved for women. As nearly as may be, one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes) shall be reserved for women in such manner as Parliament may by law determine.”.

Seats shall be reserved for women in the House of the People. As nearly as may be, one-third of the total number of seats reserved under clause (2) of article 330 shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes. As nearly as may be, one-third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election to the House of the People shall be reserved for women.”

28th September, 2023