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Women account for only 5% of CEOs in India’s listed companies: Primeinfobase report

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Women account for only 5% of CEOs in India’s listed companies: Primeinfobase report
Women continue to remain underrepresented at the top levels of Corporate India despite gradual progress in boardroom diversity, according to a new report released by Primeinfobase.com ahead of International Women’s Day.

The report shows that while women account for 23% of employees in listed companies, their representation steadily declines as one moves up the corporate hierarchy. Women make up only 14% of Key Management Personnel (KMPs), 10% of executive directors and just 5% of managing directors or chief executive officers.

According to Pranav Haldea, Managing Director at PRIME Database Group, the data reflects a classic “leaky bucket” phenomenon, where women gradually drop out of the leadership pipeline. He said there is an urgent need for policies and supportive practices to ensure women do not have to leave the workforce mid-career due to childcare and other caregiving responsibilities.

At the board level, representation has improved over time. As of February 23, 2026, about 98% of the 2,285 companies listed on the NSE main board had at least one woman director, compared with 97% a year earlier. Among the 48 companies that still do not have a woman director, 20 are public sector undertakings.

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Overall, 2,898 women currently hold 3,738 directorship positions, accounting for 21% of all board seats. This marks a rise from 18% in March 2021 and just 5% in March 2014, when the requirement to appoint at least one woman director on boards was first announced. Haldea noted that regulation played a significant role in improving board representation. However, the pace of progress has slowed after companies largely complied with the regulatory mandate. He also pointed out that when the rule was introduced in 2014, many firms appointed women relatives of promoters or individuals known to them, which diluted the objective of gender diversity.


Also Read | Women hold just 25% of mutual fund folios, start investing 5 years later than men: Report

Even so, the number of companies with two or more women directors has increased from 35% in March 2021 to 47% currently. Around 88% of companies now have at least one independent woman director, while those with two or more women independent directors have risen from 10% to 21% during the same period.
Women hold 28% of independent directorship positions but only 10% of executive directorships. At the very top, representation remains particularly limited. Just 119 companies, or 5% of the total, have a woman MD or CEO. Among the 130 women heading these companies, about 69% belong to the promoter group, highlighting the limited presence of professional women leaders outside promoter families.
Women also remain scarce in other senior roles. Outside promoter groups, professional executive women directors account for only 7% of such positions. Meanwhile, only 6% of companies have a woman chairperson, with nearly half of them from promoter groups.

The report also highlights a significant gender gap in pay. The median remuneration of male executive directors stood at Rs 120 lakh in FY25, about 74% higher than Rs 69 lakh for women. Among non-promoter executive directors, the gap is even wider, with men earning a median of Rs 104 lakh compared with Rs 43 lakh for women. Male KMPs earned about 77% more than women on average, while the median pay for male employees was 34% higher. Among workers, the gap widened further, with men earning 86% more than women.

Interestingly, the trend reverses for independent directors, where women earn slightly more. The median remuneration for women independent directors was Rs 4.90 lakh compared with Rs 4.80 lakh for men.

Sectorally, women directors had the highest representation in diversified, healthcare and IT companies at 23%, while energy had the lowest share at 17%. Among employees and workers, IT recorded the highest female participation, while commodities, industrials and utilities sectors reported the lowest levels.

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(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)

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Onto Innovation: Why The Risk Is To The Downside

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Onto Innovation: Why The Risk Is To The Downside

Onto Innovation: Why The Risk Is To The Downside

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Market Brief: Is Bitcoin Approaching A Cycle Transition?

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Market Brief: Is Bitcoin Approaching A Cycle Transition?

BloFin Research focuses on crypto research and analysis, dedicated to providing institutional-grade insights into the digital asset market. Our work covers major crypto assets, market trends from a macroeconomic perspective, and industry-wide studies on key developments shaping the digital asset ecosystem.

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(VIDEO) Selena Gomez Praises Taylor Swift’s Songwriting in Heartfelt Instagram Tribute

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Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift

Selena Gomez paid glowing tribute to Taylor Swift’s songwriting prowess in a new Instagram Story video posted late Thursday, highlighting the enduring bond between the two longtime friends and their shared history in the spotlight.

Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift

In the clip, Gomez lip-synced enthusiastically to Swift’s unreleased track “Father Figure,” a song that has circulated among fans in bootleg form and gained renewed attention recently. Overlaid text on the video read a simple but pointed message: “The songwriting… unmatched,” with heart emojis emphasizing her admiration. The post appeared on Gomez’s “Secret Friends” Story list — a private feature she’s used this week to share exclusive content, including never-before-seen photos with Swift.

The tribute arrives just days after Gomez opened up in depth about Swift’s songwriting during an appearance on the “Friends Keep Secrets” web series, hosted by her husband Benny Blanco alongside rapper Lil Dicky. In the March 3 episode, Gomez confirmed long-standing fan theories that Swift’s 2020 “Evermore” track “Dorothea” was written about her, praising how eloquently Swift captured their nearly two-decade friendship.

“Well, ‘Dorothea’ is about me, one of her songs,” Gomez said on the podcast. “I feel like a lot of huge moments that were self-defining, from relationships to family to love to hate, all of it in between — we were figuring it out because I was 15 and she was 18, and we didn’t really know what was going on. And so we’ve never seen each other any differently. So when I listen to it, I’m so impressed how it’s eloquently put.”

Gomez, 33, described connecting with Swift’s music “a million percent” on a different level, attributing it to their parallel journeys from teenage stars to accomplished women navigating Hollywood’s highs and lows. She also revealed that Swift penned an unreleased song titled “Family” more than a decade ago about their bond, with lyrics imagining their dreams of stardom — “you have these amazing dreams. You want to be in a movie, in every crowd I see you.”

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The Instagram video tribute amplified that sentiment, with fans quickly screenshotting and sharing the clip across social platforms. “The way Selena just casually reminds us Taylor’s pen game is elite,” one commenter wrote on X. Others noted the timing, coming amid Swift’s ongoing personal milestones, including preparations for her rumored wedding to Travis Kelce, speculated for June 13 at Ocean House in Rhode Island.

Gomez and Swift’s friendship dates back to 2008, when they met as rising Disney talents — Gomez on “Wizards of Waverly Place” and Swift climbing the country-to-pop charts. They’ve supported each other through breakups, career pivots, health challenges and public scrutiny. Swift attended Gomez’s September 2025 wedding to Blanco in California, where she reportedly gave a heartfelt speech. In return, Gomez has been a fixture at Swift’s events, including Eras Tour stops and award shows.

The latest gestures underscore how their relationship has evolved into one of mutual artistic respect. Gomez, who has released albums like “Rare” and built the billion-dollar beauty brand Rare Beauty, has increasingly spoken about Swift’s influence. During the podcast, she marveled at both finding stable partners after past heartbreaks — Swift with Kelce and Gomez with Blanco — calling it unbelievable luck.

Swift’s songwriting has long been celebrated for its personal storytelling, earning her multiple Grammys, including Album of the Year wins for “Folklore” and “Midnights.” Tracks like “Dorothea,” with its nostalgic reflection on a small-town friend chasing fame, exemplify her ability to weave real-life inspirations into universal anthems. Fans have long speculated about Gomez references in Swift’s catalog, from “Evermore” to earlier songs, but Gomez’s recent confirmations provide rare firsthand insight.

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The “Father Figure” lip-sync adds another layer, as the track — believed to date from Swift’s earlier catalog sessions — touches on themes of guidance and admiration, which Gomez appeared to mirror in her praise. While neither artist has commented further publicly, the moment has sparked widespread fan appreciation for their supportive dynamic in an often competitive industry.

Gomez’s post caps a week of nostalgia for the pair. Earlier, she shared throwback images via her Secret Friends list, including unseen photos from Swift’s wedding preparations and past hangouts. The gestures come as both navigate busy careers: Gomez continues starring in “Only Murders in the Building” and expanding Rare Beauty, while Swift remains one of music’s top earners with ongoing projects post-Eras Tour.

Industry observers see these public affirmations as a refreshing contrast to celebrity feuds that dominate headlines. “In an era of manufactured drama, Selena and Taylor’s genuine friendship stands out,” said one entertainment analyst. “It’s a reminder of how powerful long-term support can be.”

As clips of the tribute circulated Friday morning, hashtags like #SelenaPraisesTaylor and #SwiftSongwriting trended on social media. Fans expressed hope for future collaborations, though both have focused on solo endeavors in recent years.

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Gomez’s tribute reinforces Swift’s reputation as one of the era’s most gifted lyricists, while highlighting the depth of their bond. In a business built on fleeting alliances, their nearly 18-year friendship — immortalized in songs and now celebrated anew — remains a rare and enduring highlight.

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What’s Driving The Gold Price? … And Other Important Questions

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What’s Driving The Gold Price? ... And Other Important Questions

Invesco is an independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life.Be the first to know! Sign up for Invesco US Blog and get expert investment views as they post.Disclosure for all Invesco US articles: Before investing, carefully read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus and carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation of the suitability of any investment strategy for a particular investor. Invesco does not provide tax advice. The tax information contained herein is general and is not exhaustive by nature. Federal and state tax laws are complex and constantly changing. Investors should always consult their own legal or tax professional for information concerning their individual situation. The opinions expressed are those of the authors, are based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice. These opinions may differ from those of other Invesco investment professionals. NOT FDIC INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NO BANK GUARANTEE All data provided by Invesco unless otherwise noted. Invesco Distributors, Inc. is the US distributor for Invesco Ltd.’s retail products and collective trust funds. Invesco Advisers, Inc. and other affiliated investment advisers mentioned provide investment advisory services and do not sell securities. Invesco Unit Investment Trusts are distributed by the sponsor, Invesco Capital Markets, Inc., and broker-dealers including Invesco Distributors, Inc. PowerShares® is a registered trademark of Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC (Invesco PowerShares). Each entity is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd. ©2015 Invesco Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Form 4 German American Bancorp Inc For: 7 March

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Form 4 German American Bancorp Inc For: 7 March

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Concurrent Losers: 10 BSE-200 stocks decline for 5 consecutive sessions

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The Economic Times

Over the last five trading sessions ending March 6, the BSE Sensex benchmark tumbled 4.05%, or 3,330 points, to close at 78,918. The index recorded losses in four of those five sessions. During this period, around 10 stocks within the BSE 200 posted consistent declines across all five sessions. (Data source: ACE Equity)

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Coforge, Persistent Systems among 10 stocks that have fallen most in 2026. Do you own any?

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The Economic Times

Several stocks on the BSE 200 index have seen sharp declines at the start of CY2026 as volatility grips markets. Technology and new-age companies dominate the list of laggards. Coforge, LTIMindtree and Persistent Systems lead the fall, reflecting pressure on IT stocks amid global uncertainty and concerns around rapid advances in artificial intelligence.

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What is the fastest growing thing in finance? SIPs? SIFs? Credit cards? Radhika Gupta answers

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What is the fastest growing thing in finance? SIPs? SIFs? Credit cards? Radhika Gupta answers
India’s financial landscape has been undergoing a rapid transformation as more people begin participating in investments, banking and digital payments. One of the most notable changes in recent years is the rising participation of women across multiple financial segments, including mutual funds, insurance, stock market investing, cryptocurrency and digital payments.

Highlighting this trend, Radhika Gupta, Managing Director and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, said that women are currently the fastest-growing segment in finance.

Also Read | Women crypto investors grow 116.8% in India, hold 4 different digital assets: CoinDCX

In a recent video shared on social media platform X, Gupta posed a question about what has been the fastest-growing development in the financial sector lately. While one might assume the answer to be mutual fund SIPs, the newly launched product by SEBI, SIFs, or credit cards, Gupta explained that the real answer is the rise of women in finance.
Speaking in the video, Gupta highlighted several rising trends that show how women are increasingly shaping India’s financial ecosystem. According to her, women have recorded nearly 140% growth in mutual fund folios, reflecting a sharp rise in their participation in market-linked investments.


The trend is not limited to mutual funds. Gupta noted that women’s presence has been expanding across a range of financial products. In the insurance sector, she pointed out that one in three life insurance policies in India is now held by women, indicating a growing focus on financial security and long-term planning.
Women are also becoming more active in the stock market. Gupta said their participation in equities has grown by more than 300%, demonstrating a strong shift from traditional saving habits towards investment-oriented financial planning.Beyond investments, women are increasingly using formal financial services. Gupta highlighted that bank account coverage among women has reached around 89%, reflecting the progress made in expanding financial inclusion. At the same time, their participation in credit markets has also risen.

Women have also played a major role in the growth of digital payments in the country. The surge in transactions through Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which has transformed the way Indians transact, has been partly driven by the growing number of women using digital financial platforms.

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Also Read | Share of equity mutual funds in portfolio of women investor surge to 32% in 5 years : Report

Summing up the trend, Gupta said that while the financial industry often focuses on products, platforms and technology, the most important shift is the growing financial participation of women themselves.

“The fastest-growing thing in finance today is women,” Gupta said, underscoring how their rising presence is reshaping the country’s financial landscape.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

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Top 10 mutual funds to invest through SIP with investment horizon of 3 years. Check details

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The Economic Times

Several mutual funds have delivered strong SIP returns over the past three years, led by gold funds and multi-asset allocation schemes. Data from Value Research shows that a monthly SIP of Rs 10,000 in some of these funds would have grown significantly, highlighting the potential of disciplined long-term investing.

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Enphase: The ‘Sneaky AI Thesis’ Played Out, Now It’s Time To Step Aside (NASDAQ:ENPH)

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Enphase: The ‘Sneaky AI Thesis’ Played Out, Now It’s Time To Step Aside (NASDAQ:ENPH)

This article was written by

Julian Lin is a financial analyst. He finds undervalued companies with secular growth that appreciate over time. His approach is to look for companies with strong balance sheets and management teams in sectors with long growth runways.
Julian is the leader of the investing group Best Of Breed Growth Stocks where he only shares positions in stocks which have a large probability of delivering large alpha relative to the S&P 500. He also combines growth-oriented principles with strict valuation hurdles to add an additional layer to the conventional margin of safety. Features include: exclusive access to Julian’s highest conviction picks, full stock research reports, real-time trade alerts, macro market analysis, individual industry reports, a filtered watchlist, and community chat with access to Julian 24/7. Learn more.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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