Nari Shakti Leading India’s Economic Transformation
India is witnessing a transformative shift in women’s workforce participation, with women emerging as central drivers of growth in the nation’s march toward Viksit Bharat by 2047. The latest data highlights a remarkable rise in employment, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion, reinforcing the role of Nari Shakti in shaping India’s future economy.
Workforce Participation on the Rise
According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the women’s employment rate increased from 22% in 2017-18 to 40.3% in 2023-24. The female unemployment rate simultaneously dropped from 5.6% to 3.2%. Rural India recorded a dramatic 96% rise in female employment, while urban areas showed a 43% growth during the same period.
Women with higher education have also seen greater opportunities. The employment rate among postgraduates rose from 34.5% in 2017-18 to 40% in 2023-24. Employability among female graduates increased from 42% in 2013 to 47.53% in 2024.
Formal Sector and Social Security Gains
EPFO payroll data confirms that 1.56 crore women joined the formal workforce in the past seven years, strengthening their financial security. Meanwhile, the e-Shram portal has registered over 16.69 crore women unorganized workers, giving them access to welfare and protection under government schemes.
These numbers indicate a major transition from informal to formal sector participation, empowering women with better opportunities and safeguards.
Women-led Development: From Policy to Practice
Government initiatives are reinforcing women-led growth. Female self-employment rose from 51.9% in 2017-18 to 67.4% in 2023-24, highlighting growing Atmanirbharta. The gender budget rose by 429% in a decade—from ₹0.85 lakh crore in 2013-14 to ₹4.49 lakh crore in 2025-26. More than 70 central schemes and 400 state-level schemes actively support women entrepreneurs.
Nearly half of all DPIIT-registered startups now have at least one woman director. Flagship programs such as Namo Drone Didi, Lakhpati Didi, and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – NRLM are equipping women with tools and skills to thrive in diverse sectors.
Financial Inclusion Driving Self-Reliance
Financial empowerment has been a game-changer. Women account for 68% of total PM Mudra Yojana loans—over 35.38 crore loans worth ₹14.72 lakh crore. Similarly, women constitute 44% of beneficiaries under PM SVANidhi, which empowers street vendors with easy access to credit.
Women-led MSMEs have nearly doubled in the past decade, increasing from 1 crore in 2010-11 to 1.92 crore in 2023-24. These enterprises generated over 89 lakh jobs for women between FY21 and FY23, underscoring their role as engines of inclusive growth.
Nari Shakti Steering Viksit Bharat
The Modi Government has placed women at the heart of national progress, envisioning 70% female workforce participation by 2047. With rising education levels, skill development, entrepreneurship, and access to resources, Indian women are no longer just participants—they are leading the nation’s economic transformation.
From boardrooms to farms and from startups to micro-enterprises, Nari Shakti is proving to be the backbone of India’s growth story. The collective momentum promises to steer the country toward a sustainable and inclusive Viksit Bharat.
