<p>Gender inequality remains a critical issue in developing countries, with India being no exception. Despite considerable strides in gender equality in recent decades, significant disparities persist, particularly in rural and economically marginalized regions. This paper examines the gender and social dimensions of vulnerability, focusing on the Gender Vulnerability Index (GVI), which offers a comprehensive landscape analysis across four core dimensions: Education, Health and Survival, Poverty, and Protection. Through a lifecycle approach, the study highlights the vulnerabilities faced by girls and women, from birth through the age of 18, considering various socio-economic, cultural, and health-related factors. The GVI serves as a crucial tool to assess gender-based disparities at the state level, uncovering the spatial variability of these vulnerabilities across India. Indicators were selected from various sources, such as the Census 2011 and the National Family Health Survey report for the index, further the data was combined and normalized to calculate the index. Spatial analysis was conducted using choropleth maps to visualize state-level disparities in the Gender Vulnerability Index. The research emphasizes the significant challenges women face in areas like maternal health, education access, poverty, and protection from violence, with certain states showing higher levels of vulnerability than others. Notably, regions such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh require targeted interventions in these areas to address the systemic and structural inequalities that exacerbate gender-based vulnerability. The study also explores the adaptive capacity of women, particularly in woman-headed households, which tend to have fewer resources to cope with socioeconomic and environmental stresses. The GVI framework offers valuable insights into the spatial and social dimensions of gender vulnerability, making it a practical tool for evidence-based policymaking. By mapping these vulnerabilities, the paper aims to inform policy and advance gender equality, in line with international commitments like the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, ultimately striving for a more equitable society. The absence of recent census data limits the study from analyzing the current trends and demographic patterns associated with gender vulnerability.</p>