Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Chennai Ranks Second In South India For Women’s Workplace Representation
A study looked at how many women work in leading companies in India.
Chennai had women making up 39.1% of employees in these companies.
This was the second-highest share among South Indian metro cities.
Bengaluru was first, while Hyderabad was slightly behind Chennai.
Across the best companies nationally, women made up 34.6% of employees.
However, fewer women were in the highest executive positions than the year before.
Women held 16.7% of those roles in 2026, compared with 20% in 2025.
The study’s leaders said companies now need to help more women advance into leadership.
Chennai recorded 39.1% women’s representation among India’s best companies for women.
Bengaluru led South Indian metros at 41.1%, followed by Hyderabad at 38.9%.
Women held 16.7% of corporate executive roles, down from 20% in 2025.
The national representation rate among the best companies was 34.6%.
The 2026 study covered 387 companies, with 125 included on the Best Companies list.
- Who
- Women employees, Indian companies, Avtar Group, Seramount, Dr Saundarya Rajesh, and Subha V. Barry.
- What
- The 2026 Best Companies for Women in India study reported women’s workplace representation and a decline in their share of top executive roles.
- When
- The study was released on Wednesday and reports 2026 figures, compared with 2025 executive-role data.
- Where
- Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi-NCR, and companies across India.
- Why
- The study examined women’s representation and workplace outcomes among leading companies in India.
- Chennai representation
- 39.1% among the best companies for women in India
- South Indian ranking
- Second, behind Bengaluru
- Bengaluru representation
- 41.1%
- Hyderabad representation
- 38.9%
- National representation
- 34.6% among the best companies
- Women in executive roles
- 16.7%, down from 20% in 2025
- Study coverage
- 387 companies surveyed; 125 made the Best Companies list