A New Dawn for Women in Business 2025: Tripling Leadership Roles and Redefining Success
Over the past two decades, India has witnessed a seismic shift in its corporate landscape, with women shattering glass ceilings at an unprecedented rate. According to the Women in Business 2025 report by Grant Thornton, a global leader in tax and advisory services, the proportion of women in top corporate positions in India has skyrocketed from a modest 11.7% in 2004 to an impressive 36.5% in 2025. This remarkable rise not only outpaces the global average of 34% but also signals a transformative era for gender equality in Indian boardrooms. Yet, the journey hasn’t been without its ebbs and flows, and regional disparities in familial support reveal a complex picture of progress. As India strides forward, the stories behind these numbers paint a vivid portrait of resilience, ambition, and societal change.
A Leap Forward: Women’s Rise in Corporate Leadership
The Women in Business 2025 report, based on interviews conducted between July and September 2024 across more than 14,000 mid-market companies in 31 countries, underscores India’s leadership in fostering women at the helm. The data tells a compelling story: in 2021, women held 39.1% of senior management roles in India, dipping slightly to 38% in 2022 and 33.9% in 2023-2024, before rebounding to 36.5% in 2025. This growth is particularly striking when viewed against the pre-2020 era, when women occupied less than 30% of top roles.
What’s driving this transformation? Education stands out as a cornerstone. Over the past two decades, Indian women have increasingly accessed higher education, equipping them with the skills and confidence to compete for leadership roles. Policies promoting workplace diversity, coupled with a cultural shift toward recognizing women’s contributions, have further fueled this ascent. India’s 36.5% female leadership rate not only surpasses the global average but also positions the country as a beacon of progress in the Asia-Pacific region, where the average lags at 32.9%. Thailand leads the region with 43.1% of senior roles held by women, but India’s trajectory suggests it could soon close the gap.
A Rollercoaster of Progress: The Numbers Tell the Tale
The journey to 36.5% hasn’t been linear. The Women in Business 2025 report highlights fluctuations in women’s representation in India’s top roles over the past five years:
- 2021: 39.1% (Global: 31.2%)
- 2022: 38% (Global: 31.9%)
- 2023: 36% (Global: 32.4%)
- 2024: 33.9% (Global: 33.5%)
- 2025: 36.5% (Global: 34%)
These fluctuations reflect the challenges of sustaining progress in a dynamic economic and social landscape. The dip in 2023-2024, for instance, may point to economic pressures or structural barriers that temporarily slowed momentum. Yet, the rebound in 2025 signals resilience and a renewed commitment to gender equity. India’s performance consistently outshines the global average, a testament to the country’s evolving corporate ethos.
Regional Contrasts: Family Support as a Game-Changer
While corporate India celebrates this milestone, a parallel narrative unfolds at the societal level, where family support plays a pivotal role in women’s professional success. A groundbreaking study by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS Pilani) reveals stark regional differences in how working women are supported by their families. The study, focusing on Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana, highlights a surprising divide: women in northern states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh receive significantly more familial backing than their counterparts in the southern state of Telangana.
In Bihar, an astonishing 91.6% of working women report support from their husbands, with 100% of urban women and 98.9% of rural women affirming that their husbands and in-laws champion their careers. Madhya Pradesh follows closely, with 85% of working women enjoying spousal support. On average, 76% of working women across these regions benefit from supportive husbands, a critical factor in their ability to pursue ambitious careers.
Contrast this with Telangana, where the picture is sobering. Nearly half (46%) of working women report that their parents do not support their daughters’ careers, while 42% face similar resistance from their own parents. Even more concerning, 59% of women in Telangana say their in-laws disapprove of their professional pursuits, with many reporting that their earnings are taken by husbands or in-laws. This lack of familial support creates a formidable barrier, underscoring the need for cultural shifts alongside corporate progress.
🌸 Women in Leadership: India’s 20-Year Transformation 🌸
India’s journey from 11.7% women in leadership (2004) to 36.5% in 2025 – outpacing the global average of 34%.
| Year | India – Women in Senior Roles (%) | Global Average (%) | Trend / Observation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 11.7% | — | Beginning of the corporate inclusion era |
| 2021 | 39.1% | 31.2% | Peak growth post-education surge |
| 2022 | 38.0% | 31.9% | Minor dip amid structural shifts |
| 2023 | 36.0% | 32.4% | Stabilization phase |
| 2024 | 33.9% | 33.5% | Economic slowdown reflected in numbers |
| 2025 | 36.5% | 34.0% | Strong rebound – India leads Asia-Pacific average (32.9%) |
💠 Regional Snapshot: Family Support for Working Women
Study by NHRC & BITS Pilani highlights stark regional differences.
| Region / State | Spousal Support (%) | Parental Support (%) | In-law Support (%) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bihar | 91.6% | — | 98.9% | Highest family backing; urban & rural women equally supported |
| Madhya Pradesh | 85% | — | — | Strong spousal encouragement in both cities and towns |
| Telangana | — | 42% (No support) | 59% (Disapproval) | Women face familial resistance; many lose control over earnings |
| Average (India) | 76% | — | — | Family support remains a crucial factor in women’s success |
A Broader Perspective: India in the Global Context
India’s 36.5% female leadership rate is a standout achievement, especially when compared to the Asia-Pacific region’s 32.9% average. Globally, women hold 34% of senior management roles, with Europe’s mid-market companies (50-500 employees) setting a high bar. Yet, India’s progress is not just about numbers—it’s about the stories of women who are redefining leadership in a traditionally patriarchal society. From CEOs steering Fortune 500 companies to trailblazers in tech startups, Indian women are proving their mettle across industries.
The Women in Business 2025 report also highlights the importance of mid-market companies, which form the backbone of India’s economy. These firms, often more agile than large conglomerates, have been instrumental in promoting women to leadership roles. Their success offers a blueprint for larger corporations and smaller enterprises alike.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite the tripling of women in top positions, challenges remain. The fluctuations in participation rates over the past five years suggest that systemic barriers such as workplace biases, work-life balance struggles, and societal expectations persist. In regions like Telangana, where familial resistance is pronounced, targeted interventions are needed to empower women and shift cultural norms. Education, mentorship programs, and policies that promote flexible work arrangements can further accelerate progress.
Moreover, the disparity between urban and rural areas, as seen in Bihar, highlights the need for inclusive strategies that uplift women across geographies. Rural women, in particular, face unique challenges, including limited access to education and professional networks. Bridging this gap will require collaboration between policymakers, corporations, and civil society.
A Call to Action: Building on Momentum
India’s journey from 11.7% to 36.5% female representation in top corporate roles is a triumph worth celebrating, but it’s also a call to action. As the country outpaces the global average, it has an opportunity to set a new standard for gender equity. Corporations must continue to invest in leadership pipelines for women, while families and communities play a critical role in dismantling outdated norms. In regions like Telangana, where support is lacking, awareness campaigns and economic incentives could empower families to champion working women.
The rise of women in India’s corporate echelons is more than a statistic; it’s a movement. It’s the story of millions of women who, armed with education and ambition, are rewriting the rules of success. As India looks to the future, the goal is clear: not just to triple representation, but to create a world where every woman has the opportunity to lead, unencumbered by barriers, and supported by those around her. The numbers are inspiring, but the real victory lies in the lives transformed and the ceilings shattered along the way.
