The Centre is proposing a 50% expansion in the size of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies to accommodate 33% reservation for women ahead of the 2029 general election. The math is such that incumbent lawmakers will be assured that their pathway to seeking re-election will not be narrowed due to a new social accommodation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during a campaign meeting in Kerala that assured representation for women would be achieved by creating additional seats. The government plans to increase the size of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 816 (a 50% increase in seats). There will be 273 additional seats, and 273, which is 33% of 816, will be reserved for women. The same math will apply at the State level too. For instance, Kerala will have its Lok Sabha seats increased from 20 to 30 with 10 seats reserved for women, Uttar Pradesh from 80 to 120, with 40 for women. The existing Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe reservation of 15% and 7% each will have one-third of them reserved for women of respective groups.
