NEW DELHI. Women’s participation in India’s workforce has increased significantly, with the Female Labour Force Participation Rate rising from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 40% in 2025, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey. The female Worker Population Ratio also increased from 22% to 38.8% during the period, with an estimated 20 crore women aged 15 years and above employed in 2025. The trend reflects expanding opportunities for women across employment, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, aviation, technology and scientific research, supported by government initiatives aimed at improving access to finance, skills, markets and safer workplaces.
Women are playing an increasingly prominent role in India’s entrepreneurial and industrial ecosystem. As of October 2026, approximately 3.69 crore registered MSMEs were women-owned, accounting for around 38% of registrations, while more than 1.07 lakh recognised startups had at least one woman director or partner as of March 2026. Women accounted for nearly 70% of the direct workforce in mobile phone manufacturing as of July 2026, while their representation in STEM research careers rose from 13% in 2000-01 to 29% in 2023-24. Initiatives such as Swavalambini and the Yashasvini Campaign are supporting entrepreneurship training, mentorship, formal registration and business development, with the latter facilitating more than 22 lakh women-owned MSME registrations by July 2026.
Access to credit and markets remains central to strengthening women-led enterprises. Under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, women entrepreneurs accounted for approximately two-thirds of the more than 57.79 crore loans sanctioned by April 2026. Other measures include enhanced credit-guarantee coverage for women-led enterprises, subsidies under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme and funding support for women-led startups through Startup India initiatives. The Government e-Marketplace’s Womaniya initiative is also connecting women-owned businesses with government buyers. In FY 2025-26, contracts worth more than ₹28,000 crore were awarded to women-owned micro and small enterprises through GeM, helping expand market access and procurement opportunities.
Skill development and workplace protections are further supporting women’s economic participation. Programmes such as NAVYA, AI Careers for Women and WISE-KIRAN aim to equip women and girls with skills in emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, research and other future-oriented occupations. The four Labour Codes also provide a framework covering maternity benefits, workplace safety, non-discrimination and women’s employment, including night shifts subject to consent and prescribed safeguards. The broader policy focus is on translating rising workforce participation into better-quality employment, higher incomes, sustainable enterprises and greater economic security, advancing women-led development and the vision of Viksit Bharat. PIB
