University of Tehran Published jointly with Iranian World Studies Association Journal of World Sociopolitical Studies 2588-3119 10 1 2026 01 01 Global Gender Inequalities: Women’s Inclusion in the Policy Planning of India: A Content Analysis of the Twelfth Five-Year Plan (2012–2017) 201 229 104990 10.22059/wsps.2025.393756.1511 EN Heshmat Sadat Moinifar Associate Professor of East Asian and Oceania Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Hanieh Abedini PhD Student of Indian Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 20 Gender inequality remains a pressing global issue, with international organisations emphasising the urgent need to resolve it. India, as part of the worldwide community, has aligned with this imperative by integrating gender-responsive policies into its development frameworks. The Five-Year Plans (FYPs) of India have historically shaped the nation’s development trajectory, with the 12^th FYP (2012–2017) marking a significant shift by explicitly prioritizing gender-responsive policies in key sectors. This study employs qualitative content analysis to study the representation and inclusion of women in the 12^th FYP, using the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Gender Inequality Index (GII) as an analytical framework. The GII evaluates gender disparities across three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment, and labour market participation. This research identifies progress and persistent gaps in India’s gender-responsive policies by analysing policy language, budgetary allocations, and implementation outcomes. Applying the Capability Approach as a theoretical lens, this study reveals that while the 12^th FYP has expanded resources for women in health, education, and the labour market, persistent barriers in social norms, security, and decision-making opportunities continue to limit their real freedoms to convert these resources into meaningful life choices. The findings emphasise that true empowerment requires not only policy provisions, but also institutional reforms to dismantle structural inequalities. https://wsps.ut.ac.ir/article_104990_e5480a3d49c11faebe3cbf3a0c88bfd0.pdf