India's commitment to women-led development (WLD) is a central pillar of its vision for Viksit Bharat 2047, recognizing women as key drivers of economic and social transformation. Although gender-responsive allocations in the Union budget have crossed 9%, highlighting progress, significant structural imbalances remain. Approximately 22% of the Gender Budget is allocated to women-targeted schemes, while over 75% comes from programs benefiting women without direct targeting. The increasing reliance on unconditional cash transfers (UCTs), which have expanded from one major scheme in 2020 to about 15 by 2025, raises concerns. While UCTs provide immediate financial relief and enhance women's control over household resources, they do not address the fundamental issues of access to stable employment, productive assets, and safe mobility. The risk of over-reliance on UCTs could reinforce traditional gender roles, limiting women's potential as economic drivers. To effectively finance WLD, India needs a comprehensive strategy that combines cash transfers with significant investments in education, health, and infrastructure, ensuring that women's empowerment is not just a welfare goal but a transformative economic strategy.