The Political Journey of Women’s Reservation in India: Genesis to Contemporary Debates

Abstract

Gender equity in political governance fosters inclusive public policy and representative development. In India, however, women remain significantly underrepresented in national and state legislatures, underscoring the need to examine mechanisms designed to address this persistent gender gap.

MethodThe present study conducts a qualitative review of secondary sources, including constitutional amendments, legislative texts, government reports, and scholarly studies. It traces the evolution of women’s reservation in Indian politics, from the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments to the Constitutional 106th

Amendment Act and Women’s Reservation Act, 2023.

Result The article highlights that the reservation at various levels in a democratic government, which has remained low for decades, however the current amendments act as a crucial step towards contributing in bridging the gender gap.

Conclusion

Reservation policies have proven effective in enhancing women's participation in political spaces, with the 73rd and 74th Amendments and the 2023 Women’s Reservation Act, which on one hand marks to be a landmark step toward addressing gender underrepresentation in political spaces, while on other hand projects their delayed and symbolic participation. However, timely legislative adjustments will translate to meaningful changes at higher levels of governance.