Government Signals Move to Operationalise Women’s Reservation Law; Delimitation Remains Key Hurdle

April 14, 2026 : Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has indicated that the Centre is preparing to advance the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, with an extended sitting of Parliament’s Budget Session from April 16 expected to deliberate on the operational framework. The move reflects an effort to transition the legislation from symbolic enactment to actual constitutional enforcement.

Speaking at the valedictory session of the fifth edition of the ICA International Conference on Arbitration, the Minister acknowledged a built-in structural constraint in the law. Although it mandates 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, its implementation is tied to the completion of delimitation based on updated census data. This linkage effectively defers its enforcement, placing the reform on a contingent constitutional timeline.

Meghwal reiterated that the legislation represents a significant step towards advancing gender equality in political representation. He also outlined the government’s broader legal reform agenda, noting that nearly 1,000 obsolete laws and provisions have been repealed or rationalised to improve both ease of doing business and ease of living.

Emphasising dispute resolution reforms, the Minister stated that India aims to position itself as a leading global arbitration hub, with a renewed focus on strengthening institutional arbitration mechanisms.

Earlier, a panel discussion titled “In Conversation with Global General Counsel: Managing Risk, Disputes & Strategy in a Globalized Economy” examined the evolving role of in-house legal teams. Panellists observed that geopolitical instability and the COVID-19 pandemic have expanded expectations from legal departments, shifting their function from reactive advisory roles to proactive strategic partners.

They highlighted a growing preference for commercially pragmatic dispute resolution approaches that preserve business relationships. In this context, general counsels are increasingly central to risk anticipation, contract structuring, and ensuring organisational resilience.