Women just 9.9% of ministers across Indian states, UTs

Women account for only 9.9 per cent of ministers in 31 state and Union Territory councils, with just 60 women among 608 ministers, according to a Business Standard analysis. Karnataka's cabinet expansion last fortnight had zero women, highlighting the gap between the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam's promise of 33 per cent reservation and actual representation.

Only 14 states have more than 10 per cent women ministers. Manipur leads with 20 per cent, followed by Jharkhand (18.2 per cent) and West Bengal (17.1 per cent). Six states and UTs, including Karnataka, Goa, and Himachal Pradesh, have no women ministers. Women are mostly assigned portfolios like women and child development, social welfare, health, and tourism, with few exceptions such as Andhra Pradesh's home minister.

Ujjaini Halim, West Bengal state coordinator of the Association for Democratic Reforms, told rediff.com that parties treat women voters as a vote bank and lack political will to field more women candidates. She said women's empowerment often remains lip service. The question is whether parties will give women meaningful roles after reservation takes effect.