India’s Parliament is informed that women hold a small share of top leadership positions at the country’s largest listed companies. In a Lok Sabha written response, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra says that among India’s top 500 listed firms by turnover, there are nine women chief executive officers (CEOs) and 25 women managing directors (MDs), based on information available in the MCA21 filings.
The ministry also reports that these firms collectively have 860 women directors and board members, including 738 directors and 67 whole-time directors, plus the 25 women MDs. It additionally cites 22 women chief financial officers (CFOs). Beyond the top tiers, the government says women are more widely represented across the corporate director base, estimating about 1.16 million women directors out of roughly 3.9 million directors nationwide, alongside data on active companies and LLPs.
On policy and barriers, the response states the ministry has not conducted a specific assessment of obstacles affecting women’s progression into senior leadership roles and is not considering new incentives or diversity targets. It also notes enforcement activity for non-compliance with the requirement to appoint women directors, including 50 adjudication orders and penalties totalling Rs 71.01 lakh over 2021-22 to 2025-26.
