Pratidin
Polity and governanceConstitutional amendments2023

106th Amendment

Reserved one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

Written by Pratidin; every fact checked by a separate review before publishing. How we work

Takes effect after delimitation following the next census, for 15 years.

The new Parliament House, New Delhi.
The new Parliament House, New Delhi. Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons
Practise this in the app: flashcards, quiz and a timed answer
Prelims

Quick recall

What is the 106th Amendment also called?
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
What share of seats does it reserve for women?
One-third.
Which bodies does it cover?
Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies and the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
When will it take effect?
After the next census and delimitation.
How long will it last?
15 years, extendable by Parliament.
Does it cover the Rajya Sabha?
No.

Asked before in UPSC

Recurring theme: Political representation of women and gender reservation

Mains
  1. 2026 · GS2 · 10 marks

    "Women as a class neither belong to a minority group nor are they regarded as forming a backward class." In the light of this statement, discuss the evolution of women's reservation from local bodies to Parliament.

    The 106th Amendment is the latest stage in the move from one-third reservation in local bodies to the Lok Sabha and Assemblies.

  2. 2023 · GS2 · 15 marks

    Discuss the contribution of civil society groups for women's effective and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India.

    The 106th Amendment reserves one-third of seats in State Assemblies, which is the context for civil society's role.

  3. 2019 · GS2 · 15 marks

    "The reservation of seats for women in the institutions of local self-government has had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian Political Process." Comment.

    The experience of local body reservation under the 73rd and 74th Amendments is the main evidence for judging the 106th Amendment.

The basics

Why it matters

The 106th Amendment (2023) reserves one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies and the Delhi Assembly for women, but it will take effect only after a new census and delimitation.

One-third
Seats reserved for women
In the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

When it takes effect

The reservation depends on two prior steps.

Implementation path
  1. 1CensusA census after the Act's commencement.
  2. 2DelimitationConstituencies redrawn.
  3. 3ReservationOne-third seats reserved, rotating.
  4. 4Duration15 years, extendable by Parliament.

You now know

  • The 106th Amendment (2023) is called the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
  • Reserves one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies and Delhi Assembly.
  • Takes effect after a census and delimitation.
  • Lasts 15 years; seats rotate after each delimitation.

Go deeper

In one line: The 106th Amendment will reserve a third of legislative seats for women, but only after census and delimitation.

Why it matters for UPSC

Women's representation is a common GS1 and GS2 theme.

The core idea

Women's representation in legislatures has been low. The law follows the panchayat model, but its link to Delimitation delays it, and it does not include an OBC sub-quota, a point of debate on Women in Indian politics.

Where to go next

In one line: The law is a major commitment, but its timing depends on census and delimitation.

Debates

No OBC sub-quota, exclusion of the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Councils, and delay due to Delimitation.

Evidence

Women panchayat leaders have influenced local spending priorities, a hopeful sign for Women in Indian politics.

Where to go next

Delimitation

Redrawing constituencies after a census

In one line: Delimitation redraws constituency boundaries based on the census.

Body

The Delimitation Commission, whose orders cannot be challenged in court.

Freeze

Seat allocation among States is frozen until after the first census after 2026.

Where to go next

Delimitation: every story that connects to it (2)

Women in Indian politics

Representation and barriers

In one line: Women remain under-represented in Indian legislatures.

Local level

One-third reservation in panchayats and urban bodies, raised to 50% in many States.

Barriers

Party ticket distribution, finances and social norms.

Where to go next

Prelims-style quiz

  1. The 106th Amendment provides reservation for women in:

    1. Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
    2. Lok Sabha and State Assemblies
    3. Only panchayats
    4. Legislative Councils
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Lok Sabha, State Assemblies and the Delhi Assembly.

  2. Consider the following:
    1. The women's reservation will apply after delimitation.
    2. It covers State Legislative Councils.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) 1 only. Legislative Councils and the Rajya Sabha are not covered.

  3. The reservation will initially last:

    1. 10 years
    2. 20 years
    3. 15 years
    4. Permanently
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) 15 years. 15 years.

  4. Women's reservation in panchayats was introduced by the:

    1. 86th Amendment
    2. 106th Amendment
    3. 73rd Amendment
    4. 42nd Amendment
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) 73rd Amendment. The 73rd Amendment.

Syllabus

Related stories

Primary source