The Government of India's Five-Year Plans increasingly recognized the importance of integrating gender concerns into the development process. From the Sixth to the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, there was a gradual shift from viewing women merely as beneficiaries of welfare schemes to recognizing them as equal partners in development, decision-making, and economic growth. This transformation reflected changing national priorities and global commitments toward gender equality. The Sixth Five-Year Plan (1980–1985) marked a significant turning point in India's planning process concerning women. For the first time, a separate chapter on "Women and Development" was included. The focus shifted from a welfare-oriented approach to a development-oriented strategy. The Plan emphasized women's access to education, health, employment, and productive resources. It acknowledged women's contribution to agriculture and the informal sector and promoted income-generating activities. Programmes such as the Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) aimed to improve the economic status of rural women through skill development and self-employment. The Seventh Five-Year Plan (1985–1990) further strengthened women's participation in national development. The emphasis was on integrating women into the mainstream economy and improving their access to productive