The Centre is preparing to reintroduce the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, with the government hopeful of securing issue-based support from sections of the opposition after the proposed constitutional amendments failed to obtain the required two-thirds majority earlier this year.
As of June 4, 2026, the government has not yet officially notified the dates of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
However, according to multiple reports, the Monsoon Session is likely to be held from July 21 to August 12, 2026, subject to formal approval by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs and the President.
Sources said the government remains keen on reviving the two measures and believes support could come from MPs across party lines, including some regional parties and opposition formations.
According to sources, the ruling NDA is optimistic about garnering backing from sections of the opposition, including members of the Trinamool Congress, the DMK and smaller regional outfits such as the Nationalist Congress Party (Sunetra Pawar faction) and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.
The renewed effort follows the government's unsuccessful attempt earlier this year to pass a constitutional amendment aimed at implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 and expanding the strength of the Lok Sabha through a fresh delimitation exercise.
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The proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill sought to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 816 seats following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. The additional seats were intended to facilitate the implementation of women’s reservation in Parliament and state legislatures ahead of the 2029 general election.
When the Bill was taken up in the Lok Sabha in April, 298 MPs voted in favour while 230 opposed it. However, constitutional amendments require the support of at least two-thirds of members present and voting. The legislation needed 352 votes to pass but fell short of the mark.
With 293 members in the Lok Sabha, the NDA lacks the numbers required to pass a constitutional amendment on its own. The government is therefore exploring options to secure opposition support or abstentions that could reduce the effective voting threshold.
During the debate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the proposed delimitation exercise, rejecting concerns that it would disadvantage certain states. He maintained that no state would face discrimination and argued that the exercise was necessary to ensure fair representation.
Opposition parties, however, contended that the proposed changes could alter the federal balance and adversely affect states that have successfully controlled population growth.
Despite the setback, the government remains committed to pursuing both reforms and is preparing for another attempt when Parliament reconvenes.
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