The Lok Sabha defeated a constitutional amendment Bill on Friday, April 17, 2026, which sought to increase the share of women in India’s elected legislatures to 33% of total seats. The legislation would have applied to both the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas.
The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, failed to secure the mandatory two-thirds majority required for passage. While approximately 360 votes were needed, only 298 MPs voted in favor, with 230 voting against the measure.
The Struggle for Representation
Historical data reveals that women’s representation in India’s legislatures has rarely exceeded the 15% mark. In the Lok Sabha, the figure has never surpassed that threshold.
The 18th Lok Sabha (2024-29) currently has 75 women MPs out of 543, representing 13.6%. The highest representation occurred in the previous Lok Sabha (2019-24), where women comprised 14.36% with 78 members.
The lowest point was recorded during the 6th Lok Sabha (1977-79) at 3.5%. This occurred following the 1977 general election, where former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi—India’s first and only woman PM—lost her seat after 11 years in power.
Party-Wise and House Disparities
Among parties with at least 10 MPs in the Lower House, only the Trinamool Congress exceeds the 33% mark, with 11 of its 28 MPs being women (39.3%). The Janata Dal (United) follows at 16.7% with two women MPs.
Major parties show lower figures: the BJP has 31 women MPs out of 240 (12.9%), while the Congress has 14 women out of 98 (14.3%). In the Rajya Sabha, the Trinamool Congress also leads with a 46% share.
The Rajya Sabha currently maintains a higher overall representation than the Lower House, with 39 women MPs out of 245, or approximately 16%.
State Assembly Trends
Representation in state legislatures remains low, with 19 Assemblies featuring fewer than 10% women. This includes larger states like Gujarat (7.7%), Maharashtra (7.6%), and Tamil Nadu (7.3%).
Chhattisgarh is the only state to exceed the 15% mark, currently standing at 21.1%. Until the 2023 Chhattisgarh election, no Indian state had ever crossed the 15% threshold since 1951-52.
Other states with relatively higher shares include Tripura (15%), Jharkhand (14.8%), and Haryana (14.4%). Conversely, Nagaland and Puducherry hold the lowest shares at 3.3% each.
Global Context and Comparisons
According to April 2026 data from Parline, India ranks 147th out of approximately 190 countries in terms of women’s representation in the Lower House. Some 56 countries have achieved over 33% women in their national legislatures.
Eight countries have reached parity or more (at least 50%), including Rwanda, Cuba, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Mexico, Andorra, and the United Arab Emirates.
An Inter-Parliamentary Union report indicates that gender quotas significantly impact these numbers. In 2024, the share of women in countries with quotas was 31.2%, compared to 16.8% in countries without them.
What Could Happen Next
The current landscape of women’s representation in several states is likely to change soon. Assembly elections are currently underway in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry.
The results of these elections, scheduled for announcement on May 4, may shift the percentage of women MLAs in these specific legislatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Women Reservation Bill fail to pass?
The Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha due to the fact that the government failed to secure the mandatory two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment. Only 298 MPs voted in favor, while approximately 360 votes were needed.
Which Indian state has the highest share of women in its assembly?
Chhattisgarh has the highest share at 21.1%, making it the only state to have breached the 15% mark.
How does India’s women’s representation compare to the global average?
India ranks 147th out of roughly 190 countries. Globally, the percentage of parliament seats held by women rose from 11.3% in 1995 to 27.2% in 2025.
Do you believe mandatory quotas are the most effective way to ensure gender parity in government?