On June 8, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared, “Today, Nari Shakti is actively participating in the resolution of a Viksit Bharat and setting examples across sectors”. This statement was not just a reflection of the moment but a testament to a transformative decade under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, which has redefined women’s empowerment in India. Over the past 11 years, the NDA has shifted the narrative from women as passive beneficiaries to active architects of India’s progress toward becoming a developed nation ‘Viksit Bharat’. From rural hamlets to urban boardrooms, from scientific laboratories to global sports arenas, Indian women are breaking barriers and leading change.
Laying the foundation for change
The journey began with addressing deep-rooted social challenges that hindered women’s progress. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign, launched in 2015, was a landmark initiative targeting districts with skewed sex ratios. By combining awareness campaigns, community mobilisation, and educational outreach, BBBP challenged patriarchal norms and promoted the value of the girl child. Over the years, the campaign has contributed to improving the sex ratio at birth and increasing school enrollment for girls, resulting in a significant rise in female literacy rates. By 2025, the program had evolved into a national movement, fostering a cultural shift toward gender equality.
Another transformative initiative, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), launched in 2014, went beyond its primary goal of cleanliness to impact women’s lives. The construction of over 11.6 crore toilets provided rural women with safe and private sanitation facilities, reducing risks to their safety and dignity. This initiative not only improved health outcomes but also boosted school attendance among girls, who previously dropped out due to the lack of sanitation facilities. By addressing fundamental needs, SBM empowered women to participate more fully in education and community life, laying a strong foundation for further empowerment.
These initiatives were not just about providing services but about dismantling systemic gender barriers. They signalled that dignity, safety, and education are non-negotiable rights for women, setting the stage for broader reforms.
From homemakers to nation builders
Economic independence has been a cornerstone of the NDA’s women-led development strategy. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), the world’s largest financial inclusion program, brought banking services to over 50 crore Indians, with more than half of these accounts held by women. By enabling direct benefit transfers (DBTs), subsidies, and emergency credits, PMJDY shifted financial control into women’s hands, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. This access to banking has empowered women to manage household finances, invest in education, and start small businesses, fostering a sense of agency.
The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, launched in 2015, has been a game-changer for women entrepreneurs. By providing collateral-free loans, MUDRA has enabled over 70 per cent of its beneficiaries, lakhs of women, to start or expand micro-enterprises. From tailoring units in small towns to food stalls in urban markets, women have transformed into self-reliant entrepreneurs, contributing to local economies and reshaping gender roles. The psychological and social impact of this financial independence cannot be overstated, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where women are increasingly visible as economic contributors.
Additionally, Stand Up India and Startup India have opened doors for women in sectors traditionally dominated by men. In 2023, the government introduced a 15 per cent reservation for women-led startups in public procurement, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship. Programs like the Bima Sakhi Yojana, launched in December 2024, further exemplify this approach by aiming to recruit 2 lakh women as LIC agents, promoting financial independence and employment in the insurance sector. These initiatives have collectively turned millions of women from homemakers into nation-builders, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Securing women futures
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) has been instrumental in enhancing women’s social and economic security. By mandating that at least one house ownership document be registered in a woman’s name, PMAY has empowered women with asset ownership, strengthening their position in familial and community decision-making. This policy has not only provided shelter but also elevated women’s status, giving them a tangible stake in their households.
The Ujjwala Yojana, launched in 2016, has distributed over 10.3 crore free LPG connections to women from below-poverty-line (BPL) households. By replacing smoky chulhas with clean cooking fuel, Ujjwala has improved women’s respiratory health and freed up time previously spent collecting firewood. This time has been redirected toward education, entrepreneurship, or family care, significantly enhancing women’s quality of life.
Legal reforms have further bolstered women’s empowerment. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, stricter enforcement of laws against domestic violence, and the establishment of over 700 One-Stop Centres (Sakhi Centres) have created a supportive judicial environment for women facing violence or abuse. The abolition of Triple Talaq in 2019 and the proposed increase in the legal marriage age from 18 to 21 have provided women with greater autonomy and opportunities to pursue education and careers. Additionally, the repeal of Article 35A has ensured equal property rights for women in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a significant step toward gender equity.
From grassroots to national leadership
The NDA’s focus on political empowerment has been transformative. Capacity-building programs for Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) in Panchayati Raj Institutions have trained over one million women in leadership and administrative skills. This has led to a surge in women’s participation in local governance, with many states increasing reservation for women to 50 per cent at the grassroots level. These women are now making decisions on infrastructure, education, and health, reshaping rural India.
At the national level, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Bill), passed in 2023, reserves 33 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, including representation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This historic legislation is poised to transform India’s political landscape, ensuring women’s voices are heard in the highest decision-making forums. By fostering women’s leadership from panchayats to Parliament, the NDA has laid the groundwork for inclusive governance.
Education and skill development
Education has been a key pillar of women’s empowerment. The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana encourages families to save for their daughters’ education through attractive interest rates and tax benefits, fostering long-term investment in girls’ futures. By 2025, female enrollment in higher education reached 2.07 crore, nearly 50% of total enrollment, reflecting significant progress in gender parity.
The Skill India Mission has trained lakhs of women in non-traditional skills such as plumbing, electronics, and IT, enabling them to enter male-dominated industries. The PM Girls Hostel Scheme and Working Women’s Hostel Scheme have addressed safety concerns for women migrating for education or employment, providing secure accommodation and removing barriers to mobility. These initiatives have empowered women to pursue diverse career paths and contribute to India’s economic growth.
Women in STEM and the armed forces
The NDA’s efforts to include women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and the armed forces have been groundbreaking. The Vigyan Jyoti program, launched in 2019, encourages high school girls to pursue STEM careers through mentorship, lab visits, and summer schools. The WISE-KIRAN schemes have supported women scientists in research, leading to increased female participation in STEM fields. By 2025, 43% of STEM enrollments were women, a significant leap forward.
In the armed forces, historic reforms have opened new opportunities for women. The admission of girls to Sainik Schools in 2021 and the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 2022 marked a turning point. The granting of Permanent Commission to women officers across ten Army branches and the inclusion of women as fighter pilots and commanding officers have shattered stereotypes. These changes are not merely symbolic; they signify a cultural shift toward inclusivity in India’s defence forces.
Prioritising women’s well-being
Health initiatives have been critical to empowering women. The Poshan Abhiyan, launched in 2018, focuses on reducing malnutrition among pregnant and lactating mothers through community-based monitoring and technological integration. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) provides cash benefits to ensure proper nutrition and healthcare for expectant mothers, benefiting millions and improving maternal and child health outcomes.
Menstrual hygiene, once a taboo topic, has been addressed through government campaigns and the distribution of affordable sanitary napkins via Jan Aushadhi stores. ASHA and Anganwadi workers have played a pivotal role in raising awareness, normalising conversations around menstrual health, and improving women’s well-being.
Safety, security and digital inclusion
Ensuring women’s safety has been a priority. The Women Helpline (181) and Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) provide immediate assistance for women facing violence or online abuse. The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) has trained lakhs of rural women in digital literacy, enabling access to online banking, telemedicine, and e-commerce. The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) has digitised Self-Help Groups (SHGs), connecting over 10 crore women to digital platforms for business and financial management. These initiatives have empowered women to navigate the digital world confidently.
India as a model for women-led development
India’s women-led development model has garnered international acclaim. The United Nations and World Bank have praised India’s approach to combining welfare with empowerment, citing it as a replicable model. In 2023, India co-hosted the G20 Conference on Women-Led Development, advocating for global cooperation in gender equality. India’s development projects, particularly in the Global South, target gender-sensitive issues, reinforcing its commitment to women’s empowerment on the world stage.
Nari Shakti as the heart of Viksit Bharat
The past 11 years have demonstrated that women are not just beneficiaries of welfare but the driving force behind India’s development. The NDA’s comprehensive, lifecycle-based approach spanning education, health, economic empowerment, governance, and safety has elevated women from the margins to the mainstream. From the girl child reading her first book in a remote village to the scientist launching a rocket, Indian women are shaping the narrative of a modern, inclusive India.
As India strides toward Viksit Bharat by 2047, Nari Shakti remains its soul. The NDA’s policies have institutionalised a framework that ensures women are not just participants but leaders, innovators, and architects of a stronger, more inclusive nation. The journey of the past decade is not the end but a powerful beginning, with women leading India toward a future where progress is synonymous with empowerment.
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