In the 21st century, the world is enthusiastically progressing and taking up the women partake in uplifting the society and economy of the world. Women empowerment is the key to strengthen their participation in the decision- making which is the most important key to socio- economic development. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said “To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves”. In India, to empower the women, the enhancement of women's rights and values in the society is important by eliminating the malpractices such as dowry system, illiteracy, sexual harassment, inequality, female infanticide, and domestic violence against women, rape, prostitution, illegal trafficking and other issues. The most effective strategy to empower women is by ensuring the Right to Equality mentioned in the Constitution of India. In the recent years, various constitutional and legal rights have been implemented by the government of Indian in order to eliminate ill practice and gender discrimination against women. Women are entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of all forms of discrimination this is fundamental to achieve human rights, peace and security and sustainable development. Various NGOs and government programmes and schemes play important role in women empowerment. In order to make the country fully developed, women empowerment is an essential tool for the country in 21st century. The concept is related to the strategy of empowering women in the economic, social, political and legal fields, to enhance the status of Indian women. The theoretical foundations of this literature review are very important for policy making by the government.