Chennai Companies More Considerate To Women Employees

Chennai ranks second among South Indian metro cities in women's workplace representation, accounting for 39.1 per cent, among the best companies for women in India, according to the 2026 Avtar & Seramount study released on Wednesday.

Chennai is placed behind Bengaluru at 41.1 per cent and ahead of Hyderabad at 38.9 per cent. Delhi-NCR recorded only 28.5 per cent women’s representation.

The national women's representation is 34.6 per cent in the best companies. However, the study flagged a decline in women’s representation at the senior-most levels, with women holding only 16.7 per cent of corporate executive roles, down from 20 per cent in 2025.

“This year’s numbers remind us that progress on inclusion isn’t linear. Even as women’s representation slips at the senior-most levels, the underlying commitment from India Inc. remains strong as companies are reporting a stronger link between inclusion and business performance,” said Dr Saundarya Rajesh, managing director, Avtar Group. “Wellness and inclusion are not separate agendas; they reinforce each other. The task now is to turn that intent into lasting outcomes, especially at the top,” she said.

The 11th edition of the Best Companies for Women in India study covered 387 companies, of which 125 made it to the Best Companies list.

Subha V. Barry, president, Seramount, said the focus should now be on converting workplace practices into stronger career outcomes for women.

“As we look beyond 2026, our focus must be on turning strong practices into stronger outcomes: more women advancing, greater mobility, and stronger pipelines of women leaders,” she said.