Representation Without Power: Descriptive Inclusion and the Devolution Deficit under India's 73rd Constitutional Amendment

This research paper examines women's political representation in India's Panchayati Raj institutions, focusing on the gap between formal representation and effective decision-making power. It considers the constitutional framework established by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, the role of reservations for women, and the challenges that may limit their substantive participation in local governance. The paper explores the distinction between numerical representation and the ability to exercise meaningful political authority.