PM Modi to address women’s conference today amid govt move to fast-track 33% reservation law

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a national-level women’s conference in New Delhi on Monday at Vigyan Bhawan , ahead of a crucial special Parliament session scheduled from April 16 to 18 , where amendments related to the women’s reservation law are expected to be taken up for consideration.

The event, titled the Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan , is being organised to reinforce the government’s commitment to expanding women’s participation in governance and public life, an official statement said. The conference will highlight the increasing role of women in decision-making, from grassroots institutions to national leadership, in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 .

The gathering is expected to bring together women achievers and eminent personalities from across sectors , including government, science, sports, academia, entrepreneurship, media and social work. However, no official participant count has been disclosed, though it is expected to be a select national-level invite-only gathering .

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam , passed in 2023, provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Its implementation is linked to the delimitation exercise based on the 2027 Census , which has triggered political debate over timing and procedure.

In a significant move, PM Modi has written to leaders of all political parties urging support for early implementation of the women’s reservation law , aiming to bring it into effect ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections . He has called for consensus on constitutional and procedural amendments required to operationalise the reform.

A special Parliament session from April 16 to 18 is expected to focus on these changes, particularly issues related to delimitation and constituency restructuring.

However, opposition parties have raised concerns over the linkage between reservation rollout and delimitation, arguing that it could delay implementation and require wider consultation. Some leaders have also sought an all-party meeting before finalising the process.

The government, meanwhile, maintains that early execution of the law is essential to ensure enhanced women’s representation in legislatures from 2029 onwards , calling it a landmark step toward inclusive democracy.

The conference itself is invite-only , with no public registration process. Participants are selected by the government, and there is no application or online signup facility for attendance.