THE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION OF TRIBAL WOMEN IN TRIPURA LOCAL GOVERNANCE Name: KIRAN KUMAR MORAGUDI 

<p><span>Tribal women in India occupy a uniquely marginalised position within the political landscape, facing compounded forms of exclusion rooted in the intersection of gender discrimination, ethnic identity, and socio-economic deprivation. Despite the constitutional guarantee of political reservation through the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992, tribal women in Tripura continue to experience a profound gap between formal political inclusion and substantive political empowerment. This study examines the socio-cultural, economic, and institutional factors that collectively shape tribal women's political participation in Tripura's local governance structures, with particular focus on communities including the Tripuri, Reang, and Jamatia. Guided by Intersectionality Theory and Women's Empowerment Theory, the study adopts a qualitative case study design drawing exclusively on secondary data sources including peer-reviewed academic journals, government policy reports, and institutional publications. The analysis reveals four interconnected patterns: socio-economic deprivation limits tribal women's access to political resources; entrenched patriarchal norms and proxy representation restrict their independent political agency; education and empowerment programs provide partial but promising pathways toward enhanced participation; and where tribal women exercise genuine political authority, governance priorities demonstrably shift toward community welfare. The study concludes that meaningful political inclusion for tribal women in Tripura requires simultaneous institutional reform, culturally sensitive empowerment interventions, and sustained investment in education and economic independence. Without addressing the structural conditions that limit tribal women's agency, formal political representation in Tripura will continue to remain symbolic rather than transformative.</span></p> <p><br></p>