India

Historical data on women

Data on women’s right to vote and to stand for election, the date at which the first woman entered parliament, and female Heads of State or Government

Women's suffrage

Date of independence For countries that become independent after 1940
1947
Women’s right to vote
Women’s right to vote Year in which women obtained the right to vote
1937
National or local Suffrage: National or Local
National
Restricted or unrestricted suffrage Suffrage: Restricted or Universal
Restricted
Detail of restrictions Suffrage: Restrictions detail
literacy, income and tax payer
Notes Suffrage: Additional Notes on right of suffrage
Prior to independence, the Government of India Act (adopted in 1935, entered into force in 1937) accorded women with the right to vote
Women’s right to vote Year in which women obtained the right to vote
1950
National or local Suffrage: National or Local
National
Restricted or unrestricted suffrage Suffrage: Restricted or Universal
Universal
Notes Suffrage: Additional Notes on right of suffrage
Prior to independence, under British administration, the Government of India Act (adopted in 1935, entered into force in 1937) accorded women with the right to vote. These rights were maintained after 1947 when India became an "Independent Dominion".
Women’s right to stand for election
Women's right to stand for election Year in which women obtained the right to stand for election
1950
National or local Stand for Election: National or Local
National
Restricted or unrestricted suffrage Stand for Election : Restricted or Universal
Universal
Notes Stand for Election: Additional Notes on right to stand for election
Prior to independence in 1947, under British administration, the Government of India Act (adopted in 1935, entered into force in 1937) accorded women with the right to vote. These rights were maintained after 1947 when India became an "Independent Dominion".
First woman in parliament
First woman in parliament Year in which first woman entered parliament
1952
First woman speaker
Year of first woman speaker Date at which, for the first time in the country's parliamentary history, a woman became Presiding Officer of Parliament or of one of its Houses.
2009