Women’s Representation in India: 26% in Jobs, 8% in CEO Roles

A recent study by Primeinfobase.com, a member of the PRIME Database Group, indicates that women in Indian corporate employments remain very low, particularly in senior positions. While women make up 23% of employees in corporate India, their participation drops as one moves up through levels of hierarchy. The figures show that, among the most senior management ranks, women make up just 13%, and they hold positions as executive directors (10%) and as the most senior position of managing directors or CEOs (5%).

The research, published in advance of International Women's Day, highlights the disparity in gender diversity in Indian workforce. Pranav Haldea, PRIME Database Group's Managing Director stated that India has taken strides but there is much more to be achieved. As many as 97% of NSE-listed firms have at least one woman director now, while only 5% had one in 2014 when the provision for compulsory inclusion was made. The proportion of directorships filled by women is now 21% in March 2025 from 17% in 2020.

Firms having two or more women directors also rose from 29% in 2020 to 48% in 2025. About 86% of the listed companies now have an independent woman director. Women hold 28% of the 8,477 independent director positions, an impressive effort since it was only 17% in 2020. However, women only occupy 10% of executive director positions.  Despite all this, women's representation in leadership roles is generally low.

Only 5% of firms have a female MD or CEO, and these leaders are predominantly from promoter families. The report also noted that independent women directors are, on average, younger than male directors. These statistics represent progress and setbacks for women leaders India 2025. Though efforts such as the Women's Premier League news 2026 indicate increased focus on women in various sectors, corporate India is still far from equal representation.