The Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023 Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam

The 106th Constitutional Amendment (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam) reserves one-third (33%) of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The reservation will commence after the first census published post-enactment and a subsequent delimitation exercise, and will continue for 15 years from the date it comes into effect, with rotation after each delimitation. eGazetteThe Library of Congress

Why it matters: India’s national-level share of women legislators has historically been low; the Act creates a constitutional framework for a significant and sustained increase in women’s representation. TIME

What exactly changed in the Constitution

• New Article 330A: Reserves seats for women in the Lok Sabha, with a sub-quota for SC/ST women within existing SC/ST reservations. The Library of Congress
• New Article 332A: Provides the parallel reservation framework for State Legislative Assemblies. The Library of Congress
• Amendment to Article 239AA: Extends the same one-third reservation to the Delhi Legislative Assembly. The Library of CongressDigital Sansad
• New Article 334A: Lays down when the reservation takes effect (post-census & delimitation), its duration (15 years from commencement), and rotation of reserved seats after each delimitation. eGazetteIndian Kanoon

Scope and Coverage

• Applies to: Lok Sabha, all State Assemblies, and the Delhi Assembly.
• Includes SC/ST seats: As nearly as may be, one-third of SC/ST-reserved seats will be reserved for women belonging to SC/ST communities. The Library of Congress

Implementation Timeline (Census → Delimitation → Reservation)

1. First census after the Act’s commencement is published.
2. A delimitation is undertaken for this purpose.
3. Reservation comes into effect and continues for 15 years from that commencement; reserved constituencies rotate after each delimitation as Parliament may determine. eGazette

Key Takeaways

• Women’s Reservation Bill 2023, now the 106th Constitutional Amendment, ensures 33% seats for women in Parliament and State Assemblies.
• Articles 330A, 332A, 239AA (amended), and 334A provide the legal backbone.
• Effective post-census and delimitation; 15-year duration with rotation; SC/ST sub-quota preserved.