CURRENT AFFAIRS | 9 APRIL 2026
CLAT GK + INDIAN POLITY & GOVERNANCE
Cabinet Clears Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam & Delimitation Bills
In a historic move towards gender parity in Indian legislatures, the Union Cabinet on April 8, 2026 cleared proposed Constitutional amendments — the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and accompanying Delimitation Bills — to provide 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Vidhan Sabhas. Prime Minister Modi, in an Ideas page article, stated: “We owe it to nari shakti to advance women’s representation.”
Lok Sabha Strength to Increase by 50% — From 543 to 816
The Delimitation Bill proposes a 50% increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats, taking the total from the current 543 to approximately 816 seats. This is one of the most significant structural changes to India’s parliamentary system since Independence. The delimitation exercise will be based on Census 2011 data, as the next Census has not yet been completed.
Multiple Bills are being introduced simultaneously to make the women’s reservation a practical reality by redrawing constituency boundaries based on the 2011 Census figures.
Historical Context: Women’s Reservation Journey
The demand for women’s reservation in Parliament has a long legislative history. The Women’s Reservation Bill (108th Amendment) was first introduced in 1996 but could never pass both Houses. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992) successfully introduced one-third reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipalities respectively, transforming grassroots governance.
The current proposal, introduced as the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, builds on these precedents while extending women’s reservation to the highest legislative bodies.
Constitutional Architecture of Women’s Reservation
The proposed amendment interacts with several existing constitutional provisions. Articles 330 and 332 already provide for reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies respectively. The new amendment adds a parallel framework for women’s reservation, requiring careful delimitation to ensure both types of reservations can coexist.
Article 82 mandates the readjustment of seats after every Census through a Delimitation Commission, providing the constitutional basis for the accompanying Delimitation Bill.
⚖️ Constitutional & Legal Framework
- Article 15(3) — State can make special provisions for women and children
- Article 330 — Reservation of seats for SCs/STs in Lok Sabha
- Article 332 — Reservation of seats for SCs/STs in State Legislative Assemblies
- Article 82 — Readjustment of seats through Delimitation Commission after Census
- 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill — 33% women’s reservation in Parliament & State Assemblies
- 73rd Amendment (1992) — Women’s reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions
- 74th Amendment (1992) — Women’s reservation in Municipalities
- Article 334 — Duration of SC/ST reservation provisions (originally 10 years, extended periodically)
🎯 Why This Matters for CLAT 2027
Indian Polity is a cornerstone of CLAT GK. This topic is a goldmine for CLAT questions — it connects Constitutional amendments, Delimitation Commission, reservation provisions (Art 330/332), DPSP on gender equality, and the interplay between Art 15(3) and fundamental rights. Expect questions on: (1) The difference between 73rd/74th and the new 128th Amendment, (2) Article 82 and the Delimitation process, (3) How women’s reservation interacts with SC/ST reservation, and (4) Historical timeline of the Women’s Reservation Bill.
📋 Key Facts at a Glance
| Reservation % | 33% for women in Lok Sabha & State Vidhan Sabhas |
| LS Strength Change | 543 to 816 seats (50% increase) |
| Census Basis | Census 2011 (next Census not yet completed) |
| Amendment Bill | 128th Constitutional Amendment |
| Panchayat Precedent | 73rd Amendment (1992) — 1/3 women reservation in PRIs |
| PM Quote | “We owe it to nari shakti to advance women’s representation” |
🧠 Mnemonic to Remember
“NARI SHAKTI” — New 128th Amendment, Article 15(3) women provisions, Reservation 33%, Increase to 816 seats, Seventy-third Amendment (Panchayat), Historical Bill since 1996, Article 330/332 (SC/ST reservation), Key: Census 2011 basis, Thirty-three percent quota, Impact on Delimitation (Art 82).
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
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