India

Council of States

Political system: Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament: Bicameral
IPU membership: Yes

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: 1947
Notes: No information available
Year of first woman in parliament: 1952

Notes: 1952 elections had one combined response
Year of first woman speaker: 2009

Women’s right to vote

Women’s right to vote: 1937
National or local: National
Restricted or universal suffrage: Restricted
Detail of restrictions: literacy, income and tax payer

Women’s right to vote: 1950
National or local: National
Restricted or universal suffrage: Universal

Notes: 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: 1950
National or local: National
Restricted or universal: Universal

Notes: 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".