Government confirms extra sittings to debate amendments to Women’s Reservation Act 2023

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday (April 2, 2026) confirmed that the Budget Session of Parliament will not be adjourned sine die as originally scheduled but will instead go into recess and reconvene “very soon” for a “specific period” to take up amendments to the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, popularly known as the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023.

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“The government will propose that the House be adjourned, and we will meet very soon, for a specific period, for purposes already known to members,” Mr. Rijiju said.

Though he did not spell out that the session is being extended to debate the amendments to the Women’s Reservation Act 2023, which seeks to provide 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, he said, “The Parliament of India has made a promise to the women of this country. We have a bounden duty to fulfil that commitment.”

The Minister’s clarification came amid repeated demands from the Congress for clarity on whether the Budget Session would formally end on April 2, 2026. Soon after the House met for the day, Congress Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh sought an explanation on media reports suggesting that the session would be extended. Leader of the House J.P. Nadda said the government would “get back” to him.

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Mr. Ramesh raised the issue again shortly before the Rajya Sabha took up discussion on the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill at 1 p.m. He argued that uncertainty over the House’s schedule was detrimental to parliamentary functioning and transparency. He also said Congress president and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge had written to Mr. Rijiju seeking an all-party meeting after the election campaign or polling concluded on April 29. Accusing the government of pushing legislation during the operation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for electoral gain, Mr. Ramesh said the move was “wholly objectionable” and reiterated that all Opposition parties were seeking wider consultation.

Responding, Mr. Rijiju said the government had already shared its proposed legislative agenda with Opposition members and that extensive consultations had been held. He said an important sitting was planned in the next two to three weeks and that nearly 80% of political parties had participated in consultations. The Congress, he added, was the only party that had not engaged with the government.