Women's quota bill defeated in Lok Sabha, does not get two-thirds majority

Women's Reservation Bill: The Constitution Amendment Bill for the implementation of Women's Reservation from the 2029 general elections was defeated in the Lok Sabha. After the Lower House of the Parliament did not pass the Bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government had no intention to pursue the two other bills.

Women's Reservation Bill: The Constitution Amendment Bill to implement Women's Reservation from the 2029 general elections was defeated in the Lok Sabha on Friday. 

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the results of the division. "The Constitution (131st Amendment) Amendment Bill did not pass as it did not achieve a 2/3 majority during voting in the House," he said.

Lok Sabha on Friday resumed discussion on the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026.

After the Lok Sabha did not pass the Constitution Amendment Bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government had no intention to pursue the two other bills.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters, LoP, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said, "We have defeated this attack on the Constitution. We have clearly said that this is not a women's reservation bill, but it is a way to change India's political structure."

While motions for the introduction of Constitution Amendment Bills are adopted by a simple majority, a majority of the total membership of the House and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting is required for the adoption of effective clauses and motions for consideration and passing of these Bills.

Constitution Amendment Bills affecting vital issues as enlisted in the proviso to article 368(2) of the Constitution after having been passed by the Houses of Parliament, have also to be ratified by not less than one-half of the State Legislatures. Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah replied to the marathon debate on three bills.

(with agencies' inputs)