Women constitute nearly half of the world’s population and represent a vital human resource whose empowerment is central to achieving inclusive development and social justice. Among the various dimensions of empowerment, political empowerment occupies a pivotal position as it determines women’s access to decision-making, leadership, and the formulation of policies that affect their lives. This paper critically examines the contours of women’s political empowerment in India by tracing its historical evolution from the reformist movements of the colonial era to post-independence constitutional guarantees and contemporary governance structures. It analyzes women’s participation in formal politics and local self-governance through empirical evidence and policy reviews, assessing whether enhanced representation has led to substantive empowerment or remains primarily symbolic. Drawing on feminist theoretical frameworks and global gender indices, the study highlights the persistent gap between numerical participation and real political agency. The findings reveal that while constitutional amendments such as the 73rd and 74th have significantly increased women’s presence in local governance, patriarchal structures, socio-cultural constraints, and institutional barriers continue to impede their effective participation.