India, Dec. 1 -- The NDA's victory in Bihar in 2025 was not secured through traditional caste arithmetic or last-minute alliance manoeuvres. It was delivered by women. With a record 71.6% female turnout compared to 62.8% for men, the election showed how decisively women now shape electoral outcomes. Bihar has become the strongest example of a broader transformation underway across Indian democracy - the rise of women as an independent political constituency.

This shift has coincided with the rapid expansion of unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) targeted at women. What started as an administrative tool for smoother welfare delivery has evolved into a central political strategy. Governments in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Bihar, Te...