Abstract

Decision-making skills are a process that involves identifying the best course of action from multiple options and are essential for personal and professional growth. Empowerment is the process of gaining confidence, control, and self-determination in one’s life or in specific areas such as work, education, finance, or personal relationships. It involves equipping individuals or groups with the skills, knowledge, resources, and authority needed to take their own decisions. This study examines the role of decision-making skills and empowerment among female students in the Varanasi district. This research paper focuses on how decision-making capabilities contribute to the personal and academic growth of young women. This study also investigates the levels of empowerment experienced by these students and how this empowerment influences their ability to make choices regarding their education, finances, and social dimension. This study used a descriptive survey research design to examine the role of decision-making skills and empowerment among female students of the represented age group between 21-35 years in different areas of the Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh, with a sample size of 100, and a stratified random sampling technique was used from both rural and urban areas. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents. Decision-Making Skills and Empowerment of Female Students—DMEF: The scale was used to evaluate the level of decision-making skills and empowerment of female students in various educational institutions in the Varanasi district. The finding of the study that urban students were generally more empowered than rural students in all areas. When women are given the support and resources to make autonomous decisions, they are more likely to pursue higher education and career opportunities.