Women’s Quota Bill Tabled in Loksabha – Everything you need to know about Women's Reservation Bill 2023

Introduction to Women's Reservation Bill 2023 (128^th Constitution Amendment Bill)

Women's Reservation Bill 2023: Recently, the Indian Government led by PM Narendra Modi, tabled the Women's Reservation Bill 2023 on the floor of Loksabha (in New Parliament Building). This bill aims to increase the reservation of Women’s Representation in the Indian Parliament up to 33%.

However, there are many more aspects through which this Women's Reservation Bill 2023 is getting into the headlines. In this blog today, we will provide you all insights about the Women's Reservation Bill 2023 and also tell you about Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the 128^th Constitution Amendment Bill, Key Features of Women’s Reservation Bill 2023, the Impact of Women's Reservation Bill, and Detailed information about Constitution Amendment Bill in India.

This topic is also important for those who are preparing for UPSC Civil Service Examinations. Read this article till the end to get all the insights about this news.

So, let’s start-

What is the Women’s Reservation Bill 2023? – What is the 128^th Constitution Amendment Bill?

The Women’s Reservation Bill 2023, formally known as the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, is an important piece of legislation mainly aimed at rectifying gender inequality and bolstering the political participation of women in India.

This groundbreaking bill proposes a significant change to the composition of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies by advocating for a 33% reservation of seats for women.

Importantly, this reservation extends to seats already earmarked for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), ensuring that women from marginalized communities are not left behind.

The bill envisions a 15-year duration for this reservation, during which seats allocated for women will be rotated following each delimitation exercise.

To become law, the bill must pass both houses of Parliament by a special majority and gain ratification from at least 50% of the States, as prescribed by Article 368 of the Indian Constitution. This bill represents a significant stride toward gender equality and inclusive political representation in India.

  

What is Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam?

The "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam" is the Hindi title of the Women’s Reservation Bill 2023, officially known as the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill. This legislation aims to empower women in India by proposing a 33% reservation of seats for them in the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It seeks to eliminate gender discrimination and promote equal political participation for women.

Key Features of Women’s Reservation Bill 2023 - Women Reservation Bill UPSC

We have already mentioned the aim of this bill early,  but as specifically Women’s Reservation Bill 2023 Features, We have listed all the key features of this bill known as Women’s Reservation Bill 2023, below:

1.       33% Reservation for Women: The bill proposes a 33% reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women candidates.

2.       Reservation within Reserved Seats: Seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) will also have a 33% reservation for women from these communities.

3.       15-Year Duration: The reservation for women is set to be in effect for a duration of 15 years from the date of enactment.

4.       Seat Rotation: Seats reserved for women will be rotated after each delimitation exercise, promoting diversity and equitable opportunities.

5.       Constitutional Amendment: The bill necessitates a constitutional amendment, requiring special majority approval in both houses of Parliament and ratification by at least 50% of the States.

6.       Eliminating Gender Inequality: The primary goal is to eliminate gender inequality and discrimination in political representation.

7.       Enhancing Women's Participation: It aims to enhance women's participation in decision-making processes at the national and state levels.

8.       Promoting Inclusivity: The bill promotes inclusivity by providing opportunities for women from diverse backgrounds and communities.

9.       Historical Context: It builds on earlier attempts to provide reservations for women in politics, dating back to the 1990s.

10.   Future of Women in Politics: The bill holds the promise of significantly increasing the number of women in Parliament and State Assemblies, fostering a more balanced and representative political landscape in India.

 

Impact of Women's Reservation Bill 2023

The Women's Reservation Bill, if enacted and implemented successfully, is expected to have several significant impacts on Indian politics and society:

 

1.       Enhanced Gender Representation

The most immediate impact would be a substantial increase in the number of women representatives in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. This would address the glaring gender imbalance that currently exists in Indian politics.

 

2.       Empowerment of Women

Greater representation of women in decision-making roles at the national and state levels would empower women across India. It would serve as a symbol of progress and encourage more women to participate in politics.

 

3.       Policy Changes

With more women in politics, there's a higher likelihood of policies and legislation that address gender-specific issues, such as women's health, education, and safety. It can lead to more balanced and inclusive policymaking.

 

4.       Diverse Perspectives

Women bring diverse perspectives and life experiences to the table, which can lead to more holistic and well-rounded decision-making processes.

 

5.       Role Models

Female leaders in prominent political positions would serve as role models for young girls, inspiring them to pursue careers in politics and other leadership roles.

 

6.       Change in Political Culture

A greater presence of women in politics could contribute to changing the political culture in India, making it more inclusive and sensitive to women's issues.

 

7.       Challenges and Debates

The bill is likely to spark debates and discussions about the nature of representation, political parties' selection processes, and the overall role of women in Indian society.

 

8.       Economic and Social Impact

Improved representation of women in politics can lead to positive economic and social outcomes, including greater investments in healthcare, education, and women's entrepreneurship.

 

9.       Global Perception

India's image on the global stage would improve as it demonstrates its commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment.

 

10.   Long-Term Change

While the impact may not be immediate, the Women's Reservation Bill sets the stage for long-term change in Indian politics, moving the country closer to gender parity and more inclusive governance.

 

Criticism of the Women's Reservation Bill

We have listed some of the most common criticism of the Women'sReservation Bill 2023 below:

1.       Reservation within Reservation: One of the major criticisms is that while the bill reserves seats for women, it does not provide a sub-quota within the reserved seats for women from Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Critics argue that this omission can lead to the exclusion of OBC women and perpetuate inequality within the women's quota.

2.       Political Parties' Role: Critics claim that political parties often select women candidates for reserved seats based on their proximity to powerful party leaders, rather than their individual merits or qualifications. This could undermine the quality of representation.

3.       Insufficient Time: Some critics argue that the 15-year duration of the reservation may not be sufficient to bring about lasting change in gender representation and empowerment. They suggest that a longer-term commitment might be more effective.

4.       Delayed Implementation: The bill's implementation is tied to the completion of a Census and delimitation exercise, which has been delayed multiple times. Critics argue that this delay postpones the benefits of the bill and may contribute to continued gender inequality in politics.

5.       Political Consensus: The Women's Reservation Bill has faced political gridlock and a lack of consensus in the past. Critics express concerns about the ability of different political parties to come together and pass the bill, especially in the upper house of Parliament (Rajya Sabha).

6.       Impact on Existing Reservations: Some argue that the reservation of seats for women within SC and ST categories might impact the political representation of these marginalized communities, as it reduces the available seats for male candidates.

7.       Limited Scope: Critics contend that the bill's focus on reservations for women in Parliament and State Assemblies may not address the broader issue of gender inequality in Indian society. They call for comprehensive measures to address discrimination in various sectors.

8.       Election Jumla: Some critics view the bill's implementation timeline, tied to the Census, as a political tactic or "election jumla," as it might not be realized in practice for several years.

9.       Incomplete Data: Concerns have been raised about the accuracy and completeness of data related to gender representation, which could affect the implementation of the bill.

10.   Policy Prioritization: Critics argue that the government should prioritize immediate policy actions to address gender inequality in areas such as education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, rather than focusing solely on political representation.

 

Women Reservation in Indian Parliament – Women’s Participation in Indian Parliament 2023

Women's Participation in Indian Parliament: Progress and Gender Equality

In the realm of Indian politics, the participation of women has long been a subject of discussion and debate. As of the year 2023, India's Parliament stands at a crossroads of progress and gender representation, with a keen eye on achieving greater equality.

 

Current Representation

The composition of India's Parliament today reflects a promising yet incomplete journey toward gender parity. The Lok Sabha, the Lower House of Parliament, is comprised of a total of 542 Members, with 78 of them being women. 

This accounts for approximately 14.39% of the Lok Sabha's total strength. Similarly, in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House, with a total of 224 Members, 24 of them are women, representing about 10.71% of the seats. 

While these numbers indicate an improvement compared to past years, there is still much work to be done to ensure that women's voices are adequately represented in India's legislative bodies.

 

Women in Ministerial Positions

Women's involvement in ministerial positions is another aspect of their growing presence in Indian politics. As of now, there are six women holding significant ministerial roles in the government:

1.    Shrimati Nirmala Sitharaman: Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs.
2.    Shrimati Harsimrat Kaur Badal: Minister of Food Processing Industries.
3.    Shrimati Smriti Zubin Irani: Minister of Women and Child Development, and Minister of Textiles.
4.    Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti: Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development.
5.    Shrimati Renuka Singh Saruta: Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
6.    Sushri Debasree Chaudhuri: Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

These women hold key portfolios and play vital roles in shaping India's policies and development initiatives.

 

Gender Equality Index and Global Gender Gap Index

India's journey toward gender equality is also reflected in international indices. The Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) and Gender Inequality Index (GII) provide valuable insights into gender disparities and progress made in various countries. 

India continues to strive for better rankings on these indices, emphasizing the nation's commitment to women's empowerment and gender equality.

Reference

1. Total number of women in present Lok Sabha

https://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/women.aspx

2. Total number of women in present Rajya Sabha

https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/member_site/women.aspx

3. List of Ministers

https://cabsec.gov.in/writereaddata/councilofministers/english/1_Upload_1943.pdf

4. Lok Sabha Members List

https://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/AlphabeticalList.aspx

5. Rajya Sabha Members List

https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/member_site/women.aspx

Female MLAs in State Assemblies

We have listed the participation of Female MLA’s in each state assembly and Union Territories:

 

S. No.	Name of State / Union Territory	Year of Last General Election to Legislative Assembly	Total Strength of Legislative Assembly	Number of Women Elected
1.	Andhra Pradesh	2019	175	14
2.	Arunachal Pradesh	2019	60	3
3.	Assam	2021	126	6
4.	Bihar	2020	243	26
5.	Chhattisgarh	2018	90	13
6.	Goa	2022	40	3
7.	Gujarat	2017	182	13
8.	Haryana	2019	90	9
9.	Himachal Pradesh	2017	68	4
10.	Jammu and Kashmir	2014	87	2
11.	Jharkhand	2019	81	10
12.	Karnataka	2018	224	7
13.	Kerala	2021	140	11
14.	Madhya Pradesh	2018	230	21
15.	Maharashtra	2019	288	24
16.	Manipur	2022	60	5
17.	Meghalaya	2018	60	3
18.	Mizoram	2018	40	0
19.	Nagaland	2018	60	0
20.	Odisha	2019	147	13
21.	Punjab	2022	117	13
22.	Rajasthan	2018	200	24
23.	Sikkim	2019	32	3
24.	Tamil Nadu	2021	234	12
25.	Telangana	2018	119	6
26.	Tripura	2018	60	3
27.	Uttarakhand	2022	70	8
28.	Uttar Pradesh	2022	403	47
29.	West Bengal	2021	295	40
30.	NCT of Delhi	2020	70	8
31.	Puducherry	2021	30	1

 

Reference:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1882226

 

--From the Constitution--

What is a Constitution Amendment Bill? – Provisions Related to the Constitution Amendment

A Constitution Amendment Bill, in the context of the Indian Constitution, is a legislative proposal that seeks to make changes or amendments to the Constitution of India. The Constitution of India is a foundational legal document that outlines the structure of the government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the framework for governance. To amend the Constitution, a specific procedure is outlined in Article 368 of the Constitution.

Article 368 is the primary and most relevant provision in the Indian Constitution related to the procedure for amending the Constitution. It outlines the specific process, majority requirements, and conditions under which amendments can be made to the Constitution.

 

Legislative Process for Constitutional Amendments in India

We have simplified the steps to the legislative process for the Constitutional Amendments in India below:

1.       Proposal: The process begins with a proposal to amend the Constitution. This proposal can be initiated by either House of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha) or by the President of India.

2.       Introduction of the Bill: If the proposal originates in either House of Parliament, a Constitution Amendment Bill is introduced. The bill contains the specific amendments to be made to the Constitution.

3.       Debate and Voting: The Constitution Amendment Bill goes through a thorough debate and discussion in both Houses of Parliament. Members of Parliament (MPs) have the opportunity to express their views, raise concerns, and suggest changes to the bill.

4.       Special Majority: To pass a Constitution Amendment Bill, it requires a special majority, which means:

-    It must be approved by a majority of the total membership of each House (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).

-    It must also be approved by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting in each House.

 

5.       Presidential Assent: Once the bill is passed by both Houses of Parliament, it is sent to the President of India for their assent. The President's role in this process is largely ceremonial, and they are expected to give their assent if the bill adheres to the constitutional procedures.

6.       Publication: After receiving the President's assent, the approved amendment is published in the official Gazette of India.

7.       Enforcement: The amendment comes into effect upon publication in the Gazette. It becomes a part of the Constitution of India and has the force of law.

 

Challenges in Passing Constitutional Amendments

We have listed those 10 Challenges in Passing Constitutional Amendments, which may seen generally:

Challenges In Passing Constitutional Amendments
Challenge-1:	Political Consensus
Challenge-2:	Opposition from States
Challenge-3:	Public Opinion and Protests
Challenge-4:	Judicial Review and Basic Structure Doctrine
Challenge-5:	Delicate Balance between Federal and Unitary Features
Challenge-6:	Complex Amendment Procedure
Challenge-7:	Time-Consuming Process
Challenge-8:	Evolving Socio-Political Context
Challenge-9:	Potential Misuse of Amendment Power
Challenge-10:	Sensitive Religious and Cultural Issues

 

FAQ’s related to the Women’s Quota Bill in Loksabha

Q1. What is the Women's Reservation Bill in India, and why is it significant?

Answer. The Women's Reservation Bill aims to reserve one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for women. It is significant for promoting gender equality in politics and enhancing female representation.

 

Q2. What is the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2023, and how does it relate to women's reservation?

Answer. The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2023, is the official bill for implementing the Women's Reservation Bill. It seeks to reserve one-third of legislative seats for women.

 

Q3. Can you explain the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and its role in women's empowerment?

Answer. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is the Hindi title of the Women's Reservation Bill, emphasizing the empowerment of women in politics. It plays a crucial role in advancing gender equality.

 

Q4. How does the Women's Reservation Bill contribute to political empowerment?

Answer. The Women's Reservation Bill empowers women by providing reserved seats in legislatures, giving them a stronger voice in decision-making processes.

 

Q5. What is the historical background of the Women's Reservation Bill in India?

Answer. The Women's Reservation Bill has a history dating back to the 1990s, with several attempts to pass it in different forms.

 

Q6. What is the impact of the Women's Reservation Bill on female representation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies?

Answer. The Women's Reservation Bill is expected to significantly increase female representation in these legislative bodies.

 

Q7. What are the arguments against the Women's Reservation Bill?

Answer. Some argue that the bill may be misused or that it doesn't address other issues affecting women's participation in politics.

 

Q8. What is the basic structure doctrine, and how does it relate to constitutional amendments like the Women's Reservation Bill?

Answer. The basic structure doctrine is a legal principle that certain core features of the Constitution cannot be amended. It can impact the validity of amendments like the Women's Reservation Bill.

 

9. Are there reservations for women from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the Women's Reservation Bill?

Answer. Yes, the bill includes provisions for reserving seats for women from SC and ST communities.

 

Q10. How does the legislative process for constitutional amendments work in India?

Answer. The legislative process involves proposal, introduction of a bill, debate, voting, presidential assent, publication, and enforcement.

 

Q11. What is the history of the Women's Reservation Bill in India, including its previous attempts in Parliament?

Answer. The bill has seen several attempts in Parliament since the 1990s, with various governments introducing it.

 

Q12. How many female MPs are there in the Lok Sabha, and how does it compare to the proposed reservation percentage?

Answer. The current female representation in the Lok Sabha is compared to the proposed one-third reservation.

 

Q13. How many female MLAs are there in State Assemblies, and what is the aim of the Women's Reservation Bill in this context?

Answer. The current number of female MLAs is examined in light of the bill's goal to increase women's representation.

 

Q14. What is the potential impact of the Women's Reservation Bill on women's participation in politics at the grassroots level?

Answer. The bill's impact on women's involvement in Panchayats and Municipalities is discussed.

 

Q15. What are the challenges in passing constitutional amendments like the Women's Reservation Bill?

Answer. Challenges such as political consensus, opposition from states, and public opinion are explored.

 

Q16. How can the Women's Reservation Bill contribute to the overall development of women in India?

Answer. The bill's potential benefits for women's development are outlined.

 

Q17. How does the Women's Reservation Bill align with the global gender gap index and gender inequality index?

Answer. The bill's role in addressing gender disparities is discussed in the context of these indices.

 

Q18. What role does the Women's Reservation Bill play in promoting diversity and inclusivity in Indian politics?

Answer. The bill's impact on ensuring diverse and inclusive representation is highlighted.

 

Q19. How can candidates preparing for UPSC Civil Services exams benefit from understanding the Women's Reservation Bill?

Answer. The bill is relevant to UPSC exams as it assesses knowledge of key legislative measures.

 

Q20. What are the implications of the Women's Reservation Bill for the future of women in Indian politics?

Answer. The potential long-term effects of the bill on women's political participation are discussed.