Nari Shakti: India’s Defining Reform for the Next Decade

UPSC Syllabus: Gs Paper 1- Social empowerment

Introduction

India has shifted women’s empowerment from intent to institutional infrastructure through planned policy design. Under the present Indian government, women are placed at the centre of development. This approach recognises that women’s progress accelerates economic growth. The focus has moved from welfare to women-led development, creating measurable gains in access, participation, and opportunity across sectors, making Nari Shakti a defining reform for the coming decade.

Policy-Driven Structural Transformation in Women Empowerment

1. Financial inclusion expansion: More than 57 crore bank accounts opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, with over 55% owned by women, giving first entry into formal banking.
2. Grassroots economic mobilisation: Around 10 crore women in 90 lakh self-help groups are supporting entrepreneurship and local economic resilience.
3. Clean energy access: Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana reached 10.5 crore households, reducing health risks and saving time.
4. Credit access growth: Nearly 70% of MUDRA loans are given to women, improving financial independence.
5. Rising workforce participation: Female labour force participation increased to around 37%, reversing a long decline.

Improvements in Human Development

1. Integrated nutrition support across lifecycle: Mission POSHAN 2.0 with ₹1.81 lakh crore (2021–26) targets children, adolescent girls, and mothers through a converged approach.
2. Technology-driven transparency in delivery: POSHAN Abhiyaan uses Poshan Tracker with 99.02% Aadhaar-verified beneficiaries, ensuring real-time monitoring and better delivery.
3. Expanded maternal and child healthcare access: Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram supported 16.60 crore beneficiaries, while Janani Suraksha Yojana enabled 11.07 crore institutional deliveries.
4. Focused maternal risk reduction: Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan ensures early detection of high-risk pregnancies, improving maternal outcomes.
5. Improving dignity and reducing vulnerability: Swachh Bharat Mission built over 12 crore toilets, with 93% women reporting improved safety and hygiene.
6. Reducing time poverty and physical burden: Jal Jeevan Mission provided 15.6 crore tap connections, while Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana reduced dependence on traditional fuels.
7. Enhancing asset ownership and security: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin delivered 2.75 crore houses, with 73% owned by women, strengthening decision-making power.
8. Promoting education and changing social norms: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao improved sex ratio at birth from 918 to 930 and increased girls’ enrolment to 78%.
9. Securing long-term financial stability: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana with 4.2 crore accounts supports financial security of girls.

The Implementation Challenge

1. Awareness gap persists: Many eligible women still lack awareness, leading to uneven enrolment.
2. Dependence on local administration: Last-mile delivery depends on district capacity, affecting outcomes.
3. Need for saturation approach: Focus must shift from scheme announcement to full coverage of all eligible women.
4. Shift from output to outcome: Measuring success should move from numbers to real-life impact.
5. Accountability at ground level: Technology helps delivery, but on-ground accountability remains essential.

Key Initiatives and Institutional Reforms for Women Empowerment

1. Constitutional push for political representation: Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam provides 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, strengthening women’s role in decision-making.
2. Integrated framework for empowerment and safety: Mission Shakti combines Sambal (safety) and Samarthya (empowerment) for holistic support.
3. Strengthening institutional support systems: Mission Shakti includes 819 One Stop Centres assisting 10.98 lakh women and helplines handling 214.78 lakh calls, improving access to justice and support.
4. Expanding access to entrepreneurship and credit: Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana sanctioned ₹34.11 lakh crore loans, with 68% benefiting women entrepreneurs.
5. Mobilising women for collective economic growth: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Missionorganised 10.05 crore women into 90.90 lakh SHGs, strengthening local economies.
6. Enhancing income generation capacity: Lakhpati Didi initiative enabled 1.48 crore women to earn ₹1 lakh annually, improving financial independence.
7. Ensuring legal and social empowerment: Reforms such as abolition of Triple Talaq and extension of maternity leave to 26 weeks improved women’s rights and participation.
8. Creating a multiplier effect through representation: Increased participation in governance can lead to better policy design, improved delivery, and stronger leadership pipelines.

The Way Forward

1. Capacity building for leadership: Women need mentorship, policy exposure, and administrative support to lead effectively.
2. Institutional support requirement: Strong systems are needed to convert representation into effective governance outcomes.
3. Simplifying policy delivery: Programmes should be easier to access and faster to deliver.
4. Strengthening feedback systems: Policies must evolve based on real needs and continuous feedback.
5. Outcome-based governance focus: Success must be measured by actual improvement in lives, not just coverage.
6. Using STEM advantage: High participation of women in STEM should be used for leadership in key sectors.

Conclusion

India has created a strong base through expanded access and participation. The next phase must ensure saturation, effective implementation, and leadership roles for women. Proper implementation of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam can shift empowerment from access to authority. This will strengthen economic growth, social stability, and institutional effectiveness, making women central to India’s long-term development.

Question for practice:

Examine how policy-driven initiatives in India have transformed women’s empowerment from welfare to women-led development, and discuss the challenges in ensuring effective last-mile delivery and leadership participation.

Source: The Hindu