Women's Reservation Bill defeated in Lok Sabha

A bill to reserve a third of parliamentary seats for women in India has been defeated in the Lok Sabha after failing to secure a two-thirds majority.

Sources

4 verified

Location

India

Updated

Friday, 17 April 2026 at 15:29 UTC

No media · text-only dispatch

Synthesis · 4 sources

An Indian government bill to reserve a third of parliamentary seats for women has been defeated in the Lok Sabha. The bill required a two-thirds majority to pass but fell short, with 298 votes in favor and 230 against. This defeat marks a rare legislative setback for the ruling government and delays the implementation of gender quotas until at least the 2029 elections.

Updates · 3

17 AprPolitics UnTold

The government has withdrawn two linked bills after the constitutional amendment needed for their passage was defeated.

17 AprOur News, Today

Reuters confirms the bill's failure on Friday, April 17, 2026, and provides additional context that it was a rare defeat for Prime Minister Modi.

17 Apr𝗠𝗘𝗚𝗛𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 🚨

The final vote tally has been confirmed, with 298 votes in favor and 230 against, definitively showing the bill failed to meet the required two-thirds majority.

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e/eineurope · topic · T-00170cycle Friday, 17 April 2026 at 15:29 UTC · first reported 17 Apr