Abstract In contemporary Indian electoral politics, women-centric cash transfer schemes have become a prominent strategy adopted by political parties to mobilize female voters. These schemes are frequently projected as instruments of women’s empowerment, social justice, and inclusive governance. However, this paper critically interrogates whether such welfare initiatives genuinely contribute to women’s empowerment or primarily function as electoral incentives within a competitive populist framework. Anchored in political theory, feminist economics, and welfare state literature, the study examines the conceptual gap between empowerment as a transformative social process and empowerment as a transactional policy tool. Using a qualitative-analytical approach supported by secondary data, policy documents, and electoral trends, the paper argues that while cash-based welfare schemes may offer short-term economic relief, they often fail to address the structural foundations of gender inequality. Limited control over financial resources, continued dependence on household power hierarchies, and absence of linkage with education, skills, and employment restrict the long-term empowering potential of such schemes. Moreover, the strategic timing of these policies around electoral cycles raises concerns about democratic ethics, clientelism, and the instrumentalization of women voters. The study further highlights how freebie-driven welfare politics risks reducing women’s political agency by positioning them primarily as beneficiaries rather than as rights-bearing citizens and decision-makers. By prioritizing immediate electoral gains over sustainable development, such approaches may weaken institutional investment in education, health, and employment—sectors critical for genuine empowerment. The paper concludes by advocating a shift from populist cash transfers toward capability-based and rights-oriented empowerment models. It emphasizes the need for policy frameworks that integrate economic independence, political participation, and social dignity, thereby reconceptualizing women’s empowerment as a long-term democratic commitment rather than a short-term electoral strategy.
Parkhi et al. (Sun,) studied this question.