Women Reservation Bill 2026 defeated in Lok Sabha despite PM Modi's appeal
The government failed to secure the passage of the Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill—related to the Women's Reservation Bill—in the Lok Sabha. This bill contained a provision to increase the number of parliamentary seats from the existing 543 to 850.
Voting on the bill took place following 21 hours of debate. A total of 528 Members of Parliament cast their votes in the Lok Sabha; 298 votes were cast in favor, while 230 were cast against the bill. The current strength of the Lok Sabha stands at 540 members, with three seats remaining vacant.
A two-thirds majority was required to pass the bill. Two-thirds of 528 amounts to 352. Consequently, the bill was defeated by a margin of 54 votes.
After the Lok Sabha failed to pass the Constitution Amendment Bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government had no intention of pursuing the two other bills.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged MPs to vote in support of bill. He stated that all misconceptions surrounding the amendment have been addressed with logical responses, and every concern raised by members has been resolved. PM Modi added that necessary information, wherever lacking, has also been provided to all members, ensuring that issues of opposition have been clarified.
Emphasising that the issue of women’s reservation has witnessed political debates for nearly four decades, PM Modi had said that the time has now come to ensure that women, who constitute half of the country’s population, receive their rightful representation.
He observed that even after decades of independence, the low representation of women in the decision-making process is not appropriate and needs to be corrected.
PM had urged all political parties to take a thoughtful and sensitive decision by voting in favour of the women’s reservation amendment. However, despite his appeal the bill was defeated.