Nari Shakti, India’s defining reform for the next decade

Over the past decade, India has done something few nations have achieved at scale: it has moved women’s empowerment from intent to infrastructure. This shift did not happen organically; it was designed. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, policy has placed women at the centre of development recognising that when women move forward, entire economies accelerate.

The results are visible and measurable. More than 57 crore bank accounts have been opened under the PM Jan Dhan Yojana, with over 55% held by women, giving millions their first foothold in the formal financial system. Nearly 10 crore women, organised into over 90 lakh self-help groups, are now driving grassroots entrepreneurship and local economic resilience. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has reached over 10.5 crore households, reducing health risks and freeing women from time-intensive labour. Moreover, access to credit has expanded, with close to 70% of MUDRA loans going to women entrepreneurs. Female labour force participation has also risen to nearly 37%, reversing a long-standing decline.