This study examines the structural barriers impeding women’s meaningful participation in India’s climate policy framework from 2015 to 2023, focusing on the post-Paris Agreement era. The research investigates how gender-based exclusionary practices have persisted despite formal commitments to gender mainstreaming in climate governance. Employing a qualitative methodology grounded in feminist epistemology, the study utilizes critical discourse analysis of policy documents, institutional reports, and comparative assessments across Indian states and Global South contexts. Key findings reveal persistent institutional under representation, with women comprising less than 30% of climate policy decision-making bodies. Socio-cultural impediments manifest through gendered communication patterns, with women’s contributions being disproportionately interrupted and questioned in technical forums. Policy framework analysis demonstrates that only 30.4% of major climate policies contain substantive gender considerations, while gender-responsive climate finance allocations remain below 5% of total investments. However, emergent strategies including gender and climate change cells and mandatory gender impact assessments show measurable improvements in participation outcomes. The research proposes comprehensive policy recommendations encompassing institutional reforms, capacity-building initiatives, and socio-cultural interventions. These findings contribute to feminist political ecology scholarship while offering practical pathways for transforming climate governance structures to enhance women’s agency in policy processes, with implications for sustainable climate action in developing nations.