Avatar, a leading workplace culture consulting company, recently released a list of ‘Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI) 2025’ in collaboration with Seramount. The study conducted is known for being the largest and most comprehensive workplace benchmarking study for gender inclusion.
Expanding the Scope: Industry-Specific Listings and Emerging Icons
Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder and President of Avatar group stated,
“This year, we have expanded the canvas of the Best Companies for Women in India listing. This year, for the first time, we introduced industry-specific listings, shedding light on the varying progress made across different sectors. By doing so, we provide a detailed lens into where women are excelling, where gaps remain, and which industries require a more concentrated effort to level the playing field. We also have a new category of listing this year – Best Companies for Women in India – Emerging Icons. These are organizations with 100 – 500 employees in their Indian operations, who are steadfast on their commitment to gender diversity as they scale and nurture their businesses. As we near the close of a decade in this initiative, I am proud to say that we have witnessed an evolution in workplace cultures across India. Data emerging from the study establishes that the average women’s representation in Best Companies (across industries) is at 36.6%, today.
At the entry level, we are close to 40%; sectors like Professional services are very near gender balance at 46% women while manufacturing reported a gender ratio of 20%. The data we gather through our study offers more than just insights; it serves as a roadmap for how we, as an industry, can continue to elevate women into leadership roles. In 2024, 18.8% of women in the Best Companies for Women in India are among the top 20% of earners, and over 23% now hold senior leadership positions. In the Best Companies for Women, Emerging Icons, 32.81% of the workforce are women, 26.25% is the gender ratio at the leadership level! These numbers are encouraging, but they also underscore that there is much more to be done. The road ahead is filled with opportunities, and the progress we’ve seen from participating companies inspires us to keep pushing the envelope on what is possible.”
Key Findings from the 2025 BCWI Report
Tech Mahindra, Wipro, Accenture, Vedanta, EY, KPMG are among the top 10 best companies according to the list. The list also has industry categories like ‘Best Companies in Consulting, ‘Best Companies in IT’, ‘Best Companies in manufacturing’, ‘Best Companies in FMCG’, ‘Best companies in BSFI’ etc. The ‘Best Companies for Women – Emerging Icons’ list celebrates organisations with a registered MSME certificate.
Inclusivity Beyond Gender: PwD, LGBTQ+, Generational Diversity & ESG
It also honors organizations for their outstanding efforts in creating workplaces inclusive of women, people with disabilities (PwD), the LGBTQ+ community, and multiple generations and cultures. This year, the list also features a maiden edition of the Best Companies for ESG, spotlighting organisations making a sea of difference in the areas of environment, social, and governance.
Growing Participation: India’s Dedication to Workplace Inclusion
Subha V. Barry, President of Seramount, comments:
“Now in its ninth year, our report continues to grow in participation. This year, we received 361 applications from organizations across various industries, regions, and sectors in India. This rising number of applications underscores India’s dedication to advancing women in the workplace. We celebrate the leadership, employees, and initiatives that foster an inclusive environment where women and all talent can thrive.
We encourage you to explore the Avtar & Seramount Best Companies for Women in India and the Most Inclusive Companies Index report. These reports provide essential insights into the current state of women in India’s workforce and other underrepresented groups, highlighting both progress made and areas with the greatest potential for improvement. Join me in congratulating the companies recognized, as well as the Champions and Exemplars. Let us honour the inclusive workplace cultures these pioneering organizations have established in India and globally, enabling their employees to bring their authentic selves to work each day.”
Also Read: How Startup Culture is Reshaping Work Life Across India
