Women's Leadership in Corporate India Surges to 20%, Pharma Sector Takes the Lead
Women's representation in leadership roles in Corporate India has increased from 13% in 2016 to 20% in 2023, according to the 2025 Best Companies for Women in India report. The pharmaceutical sector leads with 25% women in C-suite positions, followed by global capability centres at 22%. Professional services and IT-enabled services have the highest women's workforce participation at 45% and 42% respectively. The study evaluated over 350 organizations, highlighting 125 companies for exemplary practices. Women's hiring has remained steady at 38% for three years, with attrition rates now equal for both genders at 20%. Manufacturing reported the lowest women hiring at 19%, while Science and Engineering showed 46% women in leadership roles.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
In a significant stride towards gender diversity, women now occupy 20% of leadership roles in Corporate India, marking a substantial increase from 13% in 2016. This insight comes from the 2025 Best Companies for Women in India report, a comprehensive study conducted by Avtar Group and Seramount.
Sector-wise Leadership Distribution
The pharmaceutical sector emerges as the frontrunner in women's leadership representation, with an impressive 25% of C-suite positions held by women. Following closely are global capability centres, where women occupy 22% of top-tier roles.
Workforce Participation Across Industries
The professional services sector boasts the highest women's workforce participation at 45%, closely followed by IT-enabled services at 42%. These figures underscore the growing inclusivity in these sectors.
Top Performers and Study Scope
The study, which evaluated over 350 organizations with 500+ employees, highlighted 125 companies for their exemplary practices. The top 10 list includes renowned names such as AXA, Accenture, Cairn Oil & Gas, EY, KPMG, Mastercard, Optum, P&G, Tech Mahindra, and Wipro.
Key Findings and Trends
- Hiring Trends: Women's hiring has remained consistent at 38% for the past three years.
- Attrition Rates: A noteworthy parity has been achieved in attrition rates, with both men and women at 20%.
- Sector-specific Insights:
- Manufacturing reported the lowest women hiring at 19%.
- Science and Engineering showcased an impressive 46% women in leadership roles.
- Maternity Retention: Companies are effectively retaining women post-maternity, with retention rates ranging from 88% to 97%.
Industry-wise Women's Representation
| Sector | Women in Leadership | Women in Workforce |
|---|---|---|
| Pharma | 25% | - |
| Global Capability Centres | 22% | - |
| Professional Services | - | 45% |
| IT-enabled Services | - | 42% |
| Manufacturing | - | 19% (hiring) |
| Science and Engineering | 46% | - |
This report highlights the significant progress made in women's representation across various sectors in Corporate India. While challenges remain, the trend indicates a positive shift towards more inclusive and diverse leadership in the Indian corporate landscape.
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