India, the world’s largest democracy, has witnessed a gradual yet uneven increase in women’s political participation over the past seven decades. Despite constitutional guarantees, legal reforms and targeted policy interventions, women remain significantly underrepresented in formal political institutions—from local self government bodies to national legislatures. This paper analysed the historical evolution, constitutional and legal frameworks and empirical trends that shape women’s engagement in Indian politics. Drawing on feminist institutionalism, political socialization, and intersectionality frameworks, the study analyses the impact of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, the proposed Women’s Reservation Bill (Nari Shakti Vandan Act), and grassroots initiatives such as Self Help Groups (SHGs) on women’s political empowerment. The paper also identifies persistent structural, cultural, and institutional barriers—including gender norms, caste–class hierarchies, and party politics—that impede women’s entry and advancement in politics. By synthesising secondary data from the Election Commission of India, national surveys, and scholarly literature, the research underscores the need for comprehensive reforms that go beyond numerical reservation to address substantive representation and transformative leadership in Indian democracy.