In a historic legislative setback, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 was defeated in the Lok Sabha on April 17, 2026, falling short of the two-thirds special majority required to amend the Constitution. The Bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against; the threshold for passage of a constitutional amendment is two-thirds of members present and voting, which on the day worked out to 352 of the 528 members who voted. This is the first time during the Modi government's tenure that a Constitution Amendment Bill failed in the Lok Sabha. The Bill packaged three major proposals together. First, it sought to raise the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850, with up to 815 members from states and up to 35 from Union Territories. Second, it sought to operationalise the one-third women's reservation introduced by the 106th Constitutional Amendment, 2023 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam), which had been linked to the next delimitation exercise. Third, it was twinned with the separate Delimitation Bill, 2026, which provided that the latest published Census on the date of the Delimitation Commission's constitution would be used. The opposition INDIA bloc voted as a unified block, with southern parties leading the resistance on the ground that population-based delimitation would disproportionately reduce the political weight of southern states that have implemented family-planning more effectively. Union Home Minister Amit Shah replied to the discussion before the vote. Following the constitutional amendment's defeat, the government withdrew the Delimitation Bill, 2026.
Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill Defeated in Lok Sabha on April 17, 2026; Government's Plan to Expand House to 850 Seats and Implement Women's Reservation Falls Short of Two-Thirds Majority
On April 17, 2026, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 was defeated in the Lok Sabha with 298 votes in favour against 230 opposed, falling short of the two-thirds special majority. The Bill sought to expand the Lok Sabha to 850 seats, operationalise women's reservation, and reset delimitation. The government subsequently withdrew the Delimitation Bill, 2026.
Key facts
- The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 was defeated in the Lok Sabha on April 17, 2026 with 298 votes in favour and 230 against.
- Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority of members present and voting; the threshold on the day was 352 of 528 voting members.
- The Bill sought to raise the Lok Sabha's maximum strength from 543 to 850 members (up to 815 from states, up to 35 from Union Territories).
- It also sought to operationalise the one-third women's reservation introduced by the 106th Constitutional Amendment, 2023 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam).
- The companion Delimitation Bill, 2026 specified using the latest published Census as on the date of constitution of the Delimitation Commission.
- This is the first defeat of a Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha during the Modi government's tenure.
- After the constitutional amendment's defeat, the government withdrew the Delimitation Bill, 2026.
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Consider the following statements regarding the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 defeated in the Lok Sabha on April 17, 2026: 1. The Bill sought to raise the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 members. 2. The Bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, but fell short of the two-thirds majority of members present and voting. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Both statements are correct. The Bill proposed expanding the Lok Sabha to 850 seats (up to 815 from states and 35 from Union Territories), and on April 17, 2026 it received 298 votes in favour against 230, falling short of the 352-vote two-thirds threshold of the 528 members who voted.
Source: PRS Legislative Research
Frequently asked questions
What was the vote tally on the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 on April 17, 2026?
The Bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, short of the 352-vote two-thirds threshold of the 528 members present and voting.
What were the three components of the Bill?
Lok Sabha expansion from 543 to 850 seats, operationalising one-third women's reservation under the 106th Constitutional Amendment, and resetting delimitation under the companion Delimitation Bill, 2026.
Why did southern states oppose the Bill?
They argued that population-based delimitation would disproportionately reduce the political weight of southern states that have implemented family planning more effectively.
What majority is required to pass a Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament?
Article 368 requires a special majority — a majority of the total membership of the House and a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
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