Women in Indian Corporations: Driving Change & Leadership

Diverse group of professional Indian women leaders in a boardroom setting, collaborating and smiling, symbolizing empowerment and progress in corporate India.

10 Most Aspiring Women Leaders in India 2025

The dynamic world of corporate India is rising with women and their contributions. This change is not just to increase numbers or follow trends; it is also a transformation of workspaces where we are witnessing diversity and inclusion for all. Over the past decade, companies have recognized the importance of gender diversity and equality. This equality is both ethical and beneficial for businesses to increase innovation and productivity and drive financial growth.

However, this achievement did not occur overnight; there were some challenges. Indian women have faced several challenges in the workplace, including gender bias, work-life balance, and lack of mentorship. Despite all the barriers in Indian corporate culture, women are redefining corporate culture, policy, and legal reforms and driving business innovation.

According to LinkedIn Economic Graph data analysis, there was an increase in female representation across various levels in India. The female representation in senior-level leadership has also increased by 18.7% in 2023 from 16.6% in 2016. The margin dropped a little in 2024 and was around 18.3%. The growth in female leadership hires has also increased to 23.2% in January 2024.

Although there is an increase in women’s participation in entry and senior-level jobs, there is a decline in the higher managerial roles. Healthcare (23%), education (30%), and government administration (29%) are some of the sectors where women are major contributors. In contrast, women make up approximately 11% of the workforce in the construction, mining, and technology sectors. Therefore, it is important to put continuous efforts to erode gender disparity across industries.

How Women Are Changing Corporate Culture

A new style of leadership is introduced by the women leaders, where employees collaborate and better portray inclusivity and empathy. The increasing presence of women has fostered management that is more people-centric. With this approach, emotional intelligence, employee well-being, and teamwork are valued.

Female executives have promoted flexible work policies so that everyone has a work-life balance. This action is necessary to maintain the well-being of employees and also to increase their work satisfaction. Remote work options and mentorship programs are also available to give employees more flexibility and empower them.

Moreover, women leaders advocate a diverse and inclusive work environment where all employees are treated equally. Gender diversity increases employee retention and boosts engagement. The encouragement of women leaders has led to an overall improvement in organizational culture.

Corporate India’s Gender Shift

The government’s approach to increasing women-led startups and female entrepreneurs through the Startup India and Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) has increased female participation. Women are launching their businesses through the right mentorship and access to funding. These initiatives have helped to launch women-led startups in fintech, healthcare, and edtech.

Boardroom presentation also plays an important role in leadership development. According to the Companies Act 2013, at least one female director should be on the Board of Directors in every company. This policy has encouraged more female participation in the highest decision-making levels.

Multinational companies like TCS, Wipro, Infosys, and Deloitte have women leaders leading at C-level. Also, these MNCs have launched several programs to support women through mentorships, skill development, training, and more.

Skill India and Digital India are some more government initiatives that train and upskill women in the trending fields. The government is also focusing on STEM education for girls, which will further reduce the gender disparity in the growing sectors.

Policy and Legal Reforms Supporting Women Leaders

To bring reform and revolutionize the Indian corporate sector, many policies and laws have been introduced. These policies have opened up opportunities for women to pursue leadership roles. These policies have been instrumental in promoting workplace equality and protection. Like the Companies Act of 2013 as well as the Maternity (Amendment) Act of 2017.

The Maternity (Amendment) Act of 2017 increased paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks. This law also mandates crèche facilities for working mothers. The law was enforced to make sure that women continue to pursue their careers and grow professionally without compromising on family responsibilities.

Additionally, organizations are implementing policies that support equal pay, regardless of gender. Multiple organizations conduct pay audits and adjust their salaries to ensure that women get paid equally. To ensure all women employees feel safe in the workplace, sexual harassment prevention laws and safety measures are implemented.

India’s corporate scenario is changing and progressing toward a more balanced and gender-diversified environment. With the introduction of female representation in the highest levels of jobs, business, and entrepreneurship, we are moving toward success.