India’s corporate landscape shows progress, but persistent inequities continue to hold women and historically excluded groups back.
A new study released by Great Place To Work® India paints a detailed and revealing picture of how inclusion is shaping — and still challenging — today’s workplaces. Titled “From Intent to Impact: Celebrating India’s Best Workplaces for Women and in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging,” the report draws from extensive confidential employee feedback across the country. What emerges is a mix of progress, plateaus, and persistent inequities that organisations must confront if they want to stay future-ready.
One of the most striking insights is that 15 percent of women continue to feel they are not treated as equals at work. This lack of fairness, the report states, is not just a matter of principle — it is an essential driver of trust. Employees who experience equitable treatment are over four times more likely to believe that their management genuinely cares about them. They also display higher confidence in fair performance evaluations and non-biased managerial decisions. Fairness and trust, the study reiterates, rise and fall together.
Balbir Singh, CEO of Great Place To Work® India, emphasises that organisational success deepens when people feel valued for who they are. However, despite growing awareness of DEIB, women’s representation has stalled at 26 percent for three consecutive years. The number drops sharply as they move toward senior roles: 15 percent at executive levels and only 8 percent at the CEO tier. In 2025, Historically Excluded Groups (HEGs) — a collective that includes women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other underrepresented groups — form 30 percent of the country’s workforce.
The workplaces recognised among India’s Best Workplaces for Women and in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging are making stronger strides. These organisations have 9 percent more women employees compared to other companies, bringing female representation to 32 percent. Such workplaces are also leading the way in redefining what the best workplaces, the best offices, and the best companies to work with look like in a modern, inclusive environment.
Yet, even within HEGs, disparities remain sharp. Nearly 1 in 5 persons with disabilities report challenges with equitable treatment. LGBTQIA+ employees continue to face barriers such as bias in promotions, limited access to decision-making, and uneven career growth. Women, meanwhile, struggle with specific structural hurdles. The report highlights that 21 percent of women lack leadership development opportunities, 22 percent struggle with work-life balance, and 18 percent face inflexible work arrangements. These issues intensify for women returning after maternity, who often encounter rigid schedules, inadequate leave provisions, and insufficient empathy from managers — all of which contribute to higher attrition.
Despite these realities, the study also brings forward encouraging indicators. Universal drivers that build belonging — such as fair treatment, approachable management, reduced office politics, and an environment that supports engagement and enjoyment — are emerging as powerful tools in advancing inclusion. Organisations that have embraced these values consistently rank among the best workplaces, the best places to work for women, and the best offices across industries.
Furthermore, the report draws a clear line between inclusion and business performance. Companies recognised as leaders in India’s Best Workplaces for Women and in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging are outperforming others on productivity, retention, customer satisfaction and agility. Transparent promotion systems, empathetic managers, accessible leadership, and strong investment in employee development form the backbone of this success. These organisations also stand out as the best companies to work with, setting benchmarks that others aim to follow.
Great Place To Work® India urges companies to view this study as a blueprint for action — one that calls for deeper participation, stronger empathy, and more responsive policies. Closing the inclusion gap is no longer optional. It is the foundation of sustainable success and the defining quality of India’s Best Workplaces for Women and in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging.
