Gender Representation in the 18th Lok Sabha: Analyzing the Decline and the Path Ahead

The constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha has revealed a concerning trend in India’s journey toward gender parity in governance. With 74 women Members of Parliament (MPs) elected, women now constitute 13.6% of the Lower House. This represents a marginal decline from the 14.3% (78 women) recorded in the 17th Lok Sabha in 2019, highlighting the persistent "glass ceiling" in Indian politics. While the 2024 elections saw a diverse group of women leaders emerging from various socio-economic backgrounds, the overall numbers remain far below the 33% mark envisioned by the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (106th Constitutional Amendment Act). This landmark legislation, passed in 2023, seeks to reserve one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. However, its implementation is contingent upon the completion of the next census and the subsequent delimitation exercise, leaving the current electoral cycle dependent on voluntary party nominations.