Avtar’s latest study reveals that women’s representation in leadership roles in India has reached 20%, marking a significant milestone in workplace inclusion efforts.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 25: Avtar, a leading workplace culture consulting and inclusion solutions company in India, has released findings from the 10th edition of its Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI) listing. This year’s results highlight a noteworthy advancement in the integration of inclusion as a critical business imperative within Indian corporations.
The BCWI listing features 125 companies, and for the first time, women’s representation in leadership roles has reached 20%. Overall, women’s representation among the Best Companies remains stable at 35.7%. The Professional Services sector leads with 44.6% of its workforce comprising women, followed closely by the ITES sector at 41.7%. Other sectors, including Pharma, FMCG, and Manufacturing, are also intensifying their inclusion efforts, with women making up 25%, 23%, and 12% of their respective workforces.
The study also explored the reasons behind employee attrition among both women and men. It found that attrition rates are similar for both genders, hovering around 20%. The primary reason for leaving organizations is the pursuit of better job opportunities. Interestingly, health and well-being challenges have emerged as a significant reason for women exiting the workplace, surpassing even childcare responsibilities.
This year, the BCWI received 365 applications from organizations across various industries, regions, and sectors in India. Companies from diverse fields such as Automotive, BFSI, Chemical, Consumer Products, E-Commerce, Healthcare, IT, and Telecommunications made it to the Best Companies List. The 2025 Avtar & Seramount Top 10 Best Companies for Women in India, listed alphabetically, includes Accenture Solutions Private Limited, AXA XL India Business Services Pvt. Ltd, Cairn Oil and Gas Vedanta Limited, EY, KPMG in India, Mastercard Incorporation, Optum Global Solutions (India) Private Limited, Procter & Gamble India, Tech Mahindra Limited, and Wipro Limited. The complete list can be viewed on Avtar’s website.
In addition to the BCWI findings, Avtar also released the seventh edition of its Most Inclusive Companies Index (MICI), which highlights organizational commitment to diversity, including Persons with Disabilities (PwD), LGBTQ+ individuals, and cultural diversity. The focus on employing People with Disabilities has surged from 58% in 2019 to a remarkable 100% this year. The companies featured in the MICI collectively employ 9,687 individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, LGBTQ+ inclusion has gained significant traction, with 95% of companies now focusing on this area, up from just 23% in 2019.
For the first time, Avtar introduced the Top 10 Best Companies for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. The BCESG framework evaluates companies based on their environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance excellence. The study revealed that 90% of companies have adopted energy efficiency strategies, while 80% are utilizing solar energy. However, hydroelectric and wind energy remain underutilized due to infrastructure and geographic limitations. Notably, all participating companies have formal policies for occupational safety and health, and 90% provide ESG-specific training to their employees. The 2025 Avtar & Seramount Top 10 Best Companies for ESG, listed alphabetically, includes CGI, Eaton Technologies Pvt Ltd, EPAM Systems India Private Limited, GRP LTD, Infosys Limited, Lear Corporation, Solenis Chemicals, Tata Communications Ltd, UST, and Wipro Limited. The full list is also available on Avtar’s website.
Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, Founder and President of Avtar, expressed her enthusiasm for the progress made in workplace inclusion. “My heartiest congratulations to all our winners for bringing inclusion and belonging to life through intention and focused action! The results are here for us to see—from an average women’s representation of 25% in 2016, the best companies have collectively grown to 35.7% women’s representation this year. Women in C-suite leadership now stands at an impressive 20%, up from 13% in 2016. What’s truly encouraging is that these efforts extend beyond multinational corporations—the share of Indian companies featured in the Best Companies listing has increased from 25% in 2021 to 40% this year,” she stated.
Dr. Rajesh further noted, “As we honor the achievements of these frontrunners, many of whose journeys we have witnessed over the past decade, we are also inspired by the broader movement they are driving. This movement empowers women, enables allies, embraces diverse identities, and engages responsibly with sustainability, helping unlock the full potential of the workforce!”
Subha Barry, President of Seramount, remarked on the significance of the Most Inclusive Companies Index, stating, “What inspires me about the Most Inclusive Companies Index is the real change it sparks—helping organizations in India break down barriers, design thoughtful solutions, and open new opportunities for underrepresented talent. This recognition reflects the passion and commitment of leaders who are creating workplaces where women, LGBTQ+ employees, persons with disabilities, and talent across generations feel valued and can truly thrive.”
Founded in 2000 by Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, Avtar is recognized as one of India’s leading workplace culture consulting and inclusion solution firms. The organization supports numerous companies in creating diverse and supportive workplaces and is credited with introducing the concepts of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to Indian corporates. Avtar is also the largest provider of second career opportunities for women in the country, offering a wide range of services, including culture diagnostics, inclusion enablement training, conferences, and culture-first hiring solutions.
Seramount, a strategic professional services and research firm, is dedicated to fostering high-performing, inclusive workplaces. With over four decades of experience, Seramount partners with more than 450 influential companies to provide pragmatic solutions, including best practice DEI research, workplace assessments, employee learning and development, and talent sourcing.
For more information, please visit Avtar’s and Seramount’s websites.
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