Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam: A Historic Step Towards an Empowered India

April 16, 2026

Suman Saini
Vice Chairperson, Haryana State Council for Child Welfare

The role of women in India has been significant for centuries; however, continuous efforts have been undertaken to secure for them a position of equality across social, economic, and political spheres. In this very direction, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Power Salutation Act) has emerged as a historic and visionary initiative. This Act not only grants women political representation but also provides them with the opportunity to participate actively in the decision-making process.

Under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government has prioritized women’s empowerment, implementing numerous schemes and policies aimed at making women self-reliant and empowered. The primary objective of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is to ensure greater participation of women in politics. Under this Act, a provision has been made for a 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies.

This Act renders India’s democratic framework even more inclusive, ensuring that women’s voices are accorded equal importance. It will provide women with the opportunity to participate in policy formulation and administrative decision-making. The Act does not merely grant women representation; rather, it inspires them to assume leadership roles.

Prime Minister Modi has articulated on various platforms that “Nari Shakti” (Women’s Power) constitutes the bedrock of India’s progress. He firmly believes that the nation will achieve rapid development only when its women are empowered. Under his leadership, the government has worked towards transforming women from mere “beneficiaries” into “creators.” In other words, women are no longer merely recipients of benefits from government schemes; they are now becoming active partners in the nation’s development.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government has prioritized women’s empowerment, implementing numerous schemes and policies aimed at making women self-reliant and empowered.

The objective of the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) scheme is to improve the girl child birth ratio and to promote girls’ education. This initiative has fostered a positive societal mindset towards daughters. Under the ‘Har Ghar-Har Grihini’ (Every Home, Every Homemaker) scheme, free gas connections were provided to underprivileged women, thereby liberating them from the hazards of indoor smoke and leading to an improvement in their health. Through the Jan Dhan Yojana, bank accounts were opened for women, thereby empowering them economically and fostering financial inclusion.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, pregnant women have been provided with financial assistance to ensure their health and nutritional well-being. The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana was launched to secure the future of girl children, facilitating savings for their education and marriage. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Modi government’s initiative to construct toilets has significantly enhanced the dignity and safety of women. By promoting women’s Self-Help Groups, opportunities for self-employment have been extended to them. Through the Digital India campaign, women were connected to digital platforms, enabling them to access and benefit from online services. Regarding women’s increasing participation in politics, the enactment of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is poised to bring about a transformative shift in women’s political engagement. The number of women in Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies will rise, and female leaders will gain access to new opportunities. Women’s perspectives will be integrated into the policy-making process. This initiative by the Modi government will further strengthen Indian democracy.

This Act is not merely a political reform; it also serves as a catalyst for social change. It will transform societal attitudes toward women and inspire girls to aspire to greater heights. It represents a pivotal initiative aimed at ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women.

The most significant benefit of implementing this Act will be a profound shift in governance priorities. When women’s participation in decision-making processes increases, issues such as education, health, nutrition, safety, water, and sanitation naturally assume greater priority. The experience of reserving seats for women in local self-government bodies has already demonstrated that female representation leads to the formulation of policies that are more people-centric and effective. This same impact will now be witnessed at the parliamentary and legislative assembly levels, thereby steering the trajectory of development toward a more balanced and inclusive path.

The groundwork for this transformation has been laid over the past decade. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, women’s empowerment has been approached through a comprehensive, life-cycle-based perspective. The ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) campaign has brought about a positive shift in societal mindset, resulting in the secondary-level school enrollment rate for girls reaching 80.2 percent. Under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, over 46 million accounts have been opened, providing financial security for the future of daughters. The continuous rise in women’s participation in higher education and technical fields presents a clear picture of this transformation.

The measures undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for the empowerment of women are playing a pivotal role in the nation’s development. Today’s woman is no longer confined solely to the domestic sphere; rather, she is carving out her own identity in every field. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will further accelerate this transformation and play a crucial role in shaping India into an empowered, inclusive, and progressive nation.

“Only when women are empowered will the nation be empowered”—this is the core message of this Act