Why the rise of women leaders is slowing in corporate India
- Team TOI Plus
- Feb 24, 2026, 18:54 IST IST
Corporate India is facing a leadership paradox. While women’s ambition to lead remains strong, the systems meant to elevate them are losing momentum.
A new report by the All India Management Association (AIMA) and KPMG in India shows that while 79% of women aspire to leadership roles and over half aim for the C-suite — the top executive tier that includes roles such as chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief operating officer (COO) and chief information officer (CIO) — progress on representation is slowing. Nearly 30% of companies now report no increase or even a decline in the number of women leaders over the last five years, almost double the share that said the same in 2024.
A new report by the All India Management Association (AIMA) and KPMG in India shows that while 79% of women aspire to leadership roles and over half aim for the C-suite — the top executive tier that includes roles such as chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief operating officer (COO) and chief information officer (CIO) — progress on representation is slowing. Nearly 30% of companies now report no increase or even a decline in the number of women leaders over the last five years, almost double the share that said the same in 2024.
