Across India, a quiet but profound transformation is unfolding. Women are stepping into new roles, driving innovation, and reshaping the economy with their relentless ambition. As they rise, they don’t just elevate themselves — they uplift entire communities, ignite new possibilities, and create a world where everyone thrives.
From bustling urban centres to remote villages, their aspirations are limitless. They are not just participants in economic progress but catalysts of change, breaking barriers and redefining norms.
True progress is not measured by individual success stories alone, it is when inclusion becomes the norm, when women’s participation in every sector is seen as fundamental rather than exceptional.
As India moves towards its vision of Viksit Bharat, unlocking the full economic potential of women is not just desirable; it is imperative.
Women: The Key to India’s $30 Trillion Ambitious Vision
India’s ambition to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047 is intrinsically tied to the full and active participation of women in the workforce. A McKinsey Global Institute report finds that $12 trillion could be added to global GDP by 2025 by advancing women’s equality. Yet, systemic barriers-restrictive societal norms, safety concerns, and limited access to education and skill training continue to impede progress.
Women-led enterprises, in particular, have demonstrated remarkable potential as engines of economic growth. However, the reality remains that only a fraction of these businesses receive financial backing, better policy support, and institutional resources necessary to scale and succeed. This is not just an inequity; it is a macroeconomic inefficiency.
When women thrive, economies expand, businesses grow, and communities flourish. Investing in women’s skill development is not merely a social responsibility; it is an economic strategy that yields exponential returns by enhancing workforce productivity, driving entrepreneurship, and fostering long-term national prosperity.
In a world where economic competitiveness is defined by innovation and human capital, India cannot afford to leave almost half of its talent pool underutilized.
Beyond Rhetoric: A National Commitment to Women’s Empowerment
India’s global competitiveness will be defined by how effectively it integrates women into its economic framework.
Globally, nations that have successfully integrated women into the workforce have reaped substantial economic benefits. Germany and Sweden, for instance, have driven female labour force participation through progressive policies such as flexible work arrangements and industry-aligned skill training. India must take a tailored approach — one that recognises its unique socio-economic fabric while embedding more gender-inclusive policies into its economic framework.
India’s commitment to women’s empowerment is evident in its national initiatives like Skill India Mission, PM Mudra Yojana, Lakhpati Didi, Udyam Sakhi, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, PM Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan.
Programmes under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) have trained numerous women, fostering employment and entrepreneurship. Women’s participation in apprenticeship programmes has surged from 7.74 per cent in 2016-17 to over 20 per cent in 2023-24, demonstrating the growing impact of skill-based initiatives.
Under the PMKVY scheme, more than 7.2 lakh women have been trained, accounting for 45 per cent of the total beneficiaries. Notably, in the current financial year 2024-25, women make up 57 per cent of all trainees under PMKVY, reflecting a decisive shift towards greater female participation in skilling initiatives. Interestingly, Field Technician Computing and Peripherals course under PMKVY has emerged as one of the top five courses where women have been trained, signaling a shift toward technology-driven skill development. The scale of transformation demands not just participation but leadership, from training to crafting long-term career pathways.
Under the recently launched PM Vishwakarma scheme in 2023-24, 72 per cent of the total trained individuals in its first year were women, highlighting the growing momentum in gender-inclusive skilling efforts. Flagship programs such as PMKVY, PMV, and NAPS continue to enhance workforce participation, ensuring that women are not just included in key industries like healthcare, beauty & wellness, IT, and retail, but are positioned to excel.
The Skill Impact Bond, launched by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), is a testament to this vision. Designed to drive outcome-based skilling, it has empowered over 34,000 first-time job seekers, with women comprising 74 per cent of the total trainees.
More significantly, a large share comes from underserved backgrounds, reinforcing the programme’s commitment to breaking barriers and fostering inclusive economic growth.
A critical enabler of this transformation is the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), which redefines the paradigm of skilling. With over 7,000 skill courses and career advancement opportunities spanning across more than 30 sectors and trades, SIDH ensures that women are equipped not only with technical skills but with the strategic knowledge required for long-term career success.
Breaking Barriers: The Road Ahead
For India to fully integrate women into its economic growth trajectory, targeted interventions must be at the core of the national strategy. Despite these advancements, challenges persist.
Women in rural and semi-urban areas still face significant hurdles in accessing training centres, digital literacy programmes, and financial resources.
According to the World Bank, as of 2023, only 31 per cent of Indian women aged 15 and above participate in the labour force. Addressing these gaps requires a strategic, multi-stakeholder approach that extends beyond government policy to include industry participation and community engagement.
Equally important is rethinking learning models to accommodate the realities of women’s lives. Many women juggle professional ambitions with caregiving responsibilities, making flexible learning essential. Hybrid training programs that blend online learning with hands-on apprenticeships can bridge this gap, particularly in rural areas where access to traditional training centers remains limited.
When businesses, training providers, and policymakers come together, we can build a seamless transition from education to employment, breaking down barriers that have historically excluded women from key industries.
Conclusion: The Economic and Social Imperative
Investing in women’s skills is not just about gender equity; it is about economic resilience, innovation, and national progress. The blueprint for success is clear: policy-driven interventions, industry collaboration, and a relentless focus on breaking down barriers to entry.
The question is no longer whether women’s economic participation is essential, it is how fast we can accelerate it. The answer lies in bold action, systemic change, and a shared commitment from all sectors of society. The transformation is already underway. Now, it is time to scale it, sustain it, and ensure that India’s economic future is powered by the full potential of its women.
Skilling serves as a powerful catalyst in this transformation, enabling women to access new opportunities and lead with confidence.
At National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), our mission is clear: to create a future where skill development is not a privilege but a fundamental right for every woman. Through strategic industry collaborations with leading organizations such as AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco Networking Academy, Infosys, and Pearson VUE, and strong mentorship networks, we are committed to shaping a future where their potential knows no limits.
We believe that women are not just beneficiaries of progress; they are its architects. They naturally possess talent, resilience, and vision to drive meaningful change. What they need are the right opportunities where their abilities are recognized, nurtured, and empowered to flourish. When this happens, the impact is not just transformative- it is exponential, shaping stronger communities, industries, and a more prosperous nation.
The writer is CTO, NSDC