New Delhi: Marking a significant administrative move, the Central Government on April 17, 2026, officially notified the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 in Jammu and Kashmir and various Union Territories. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued formal notifications bringing the provisions into force, enabling 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies in these regions. This step is being seen as part of the broader rollout of the law aimed at increasing women’s participation in governance.

The Women’s Reservation Act, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, was passed by Parliament in 2023 to reserve one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. However, its nationwide implementation remains linked to the completion of the delimitation process after the 2027 Census, which means the full-scale rollout is expected only by 2034. Despite this delay, the Centre has moved ahead with its implementation in Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territories through legislative amendments.

At the same time, the government has introduced additional bills in the Lok Sabha to operationalize the women’s quota earlier, with discussions indicating a possible implementation timeline around 2029. The move has triggered political debate, with supporters calling it a long-overdue reform for gender representation, while critics question the delay tied to delimitation and census processes.