20 Most Powerful and Influential Women in India

By Aarohi Achwal | Updated: 07/03/2024

The fastest way to change society is to mobilise the women of the world. – Charles Malik

That’s the power of a woman; a woman with a vision challenges the odds and takes on the world. We know that being a woman is NOT easy, but there are some women, the change-makers, who make it seem easy (and all the more worthwhile!). These Indian ladies have overcome all odds and made us proud. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we bring you a list of most powerful women from across India who’ve made it big in their respective fields and brought honour to our country!

List of Most Powerful and Influential Indian Women

Below are the names of some powerful women in Indian who have inspired us all. Take a look!

1. Nirmala Sitharaman

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/ByKQfPDgxn-/

Rising with more determination, Nirmala Sitharaman is a public figure who needs no introduction. Sitharaman is an Indian economist currently serving as the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs of India. She also became the second woman Defence Minister after Indira Gandhi. Nirmala Sitharaman currently ranks 32nd on the Forbes list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2024.

2. Nita Ambani

Source : https://www.instagram.com/nita.ambaniii/

Despite being the wife of Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani has created an identity of her own. She is an astute businesswoman and a committed philanthropist. Nita Ambani is a powerful woman who is doing her bit to make this world a better place. She is a board member of Reliance Industries and East India Hotels and also leads several organisations such as the Football Sports Development Limited, which focuses on developing and encouraging sports in India through grass-roots programs. Nita is also a chairperson of Reliance Foundation and has dedicated herself to the goal of her foundation, i.e., rural transformation, access to quality and affordable healthcare, and access to secondary education. Nita has got a charitable arm and her contributions are nothing but inspiring – more power to this lady!

3. Roshni Nadar Malhotra

Source : https://www.instagram.com/roshninadar_/

In July 2020, Roshni Nadar Malhotra took over the reins of HCL technologies, after her father Shiv Nadar stepped down from his position as the company’s Chairman. She previously served as the Vice President of HCL for nearly two years. An alumna of Kellogg School of Management, Roshni has been with HCL technologies for the last seven years. On becoming the Chairperson of HCL, Roshni became one of India’s richest women with a net worth of ₹54,850 crores and the first woman to lead a listed Indian IT company as per a Forbes India report.

4. Gita Gopinath

Source : https://www.instagram.com/p/CVCDUpdqwB6/

Gita Gopinath is an Indian-American economist serving as the First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Prior to this, from 2019 to 2022, Gopinath served as the Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund. The decorated economist Gopinath has been instrumental in bringing countries out of the economic perils through her professional help. The overseas citizen of India, Gita Gopinath is the recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.

5. Anshula Kant

Source : https://twitter.com/kanshula

Anshula Kant is one of the most influential women in the world of all things finance. She is the chief financial officer and the managing director of the World Bank Group. She is from Roorkee, India, and she completed her master’s in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics, and her bachelor’s in Economics from Lady Sri Ram College for Women in 1979, both from the prestigious Delhi University. She started her career at State Bank of India (SBI) and slowly made her way up to the World Bank Group.

6. Madhabi Puri Buch

Madhabi Puri Buch is an accomplished financial professional and regulatory expert. She is widely recognized for her contributions to the financial sector in India. Madhabi Puri Buch has served in key roles, including as the Whole Time Member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the country’s apex regulator for the securities market. Her expertise in financial markets and her commitment to regulatory governance have positioned her as a prominent figure in India’s financial landscape.

7. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw

Source : https://www.instagram.com/p/CVNRfhxIO-c/

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is the chairperson and managing director of Biocon Limited, India’s largest pharmaceutical company. Under her stewardship, Biocon has evolved from an industrial enzymes company since its inception to a Bio-pharmaceutical company now and has seen massive growth in research services, biologics, and small molecule businesses. Her company also pioneered the launch of biosimilars (a biologic medical product highly similar to an already-approved biological medicine) in big global markets and these biosimilars are now being used in the treatment of various diseases such as cancer and diabetes. India’s Biotech Queen, Kiran is also a philanthropist. Her initiative, The Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre aims to create a world-class cancer centre at affordable costs.

8. Soma Mondal

Soma Mondal is an Indian business executive who serves as the Chairperson of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). She is known for her leadership in the steel industry and has played a significant role in the development and growth of SAIL. For the latest and more specific information about Soma Mondal, I recommend checking the latest news sources, official company announcements, or her professional profiles for the most recent updates on her career and achievements.

9. Falguni Nayar

Falguni Nayar, the investment banker turned entrepreneur, is making beauty products accessible across India. Her e-retail store Nykaa.com is India’s leading beauty retailer. Today, Nykaa has a number of stores across India and is gaining popularity day by day. With an exhaustive list of beauty, hair care, grooming, health care and clothing-related products to choose from, Nykaa.com has something for everyone!

10. Aparna Bawa

Aparna Bawa was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Zoom Video Communications, a widely-used video conferencing platform. Responsible for overseeing Zoom’s operational and business functions, Bawa played a key role in the company’s growth, particularly during the surge in demand for remote communication solutions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

11. Soumya Swaminathan

The chief scientist at the World Health Organisation (WHO) is one remarkable figure to look at. Swaminathan is a paediatrician and a clinical scientist best known for research on HIV and tuberculosis. The 62-year-old scientist has been instrumental in launching several programmes for public health. The journey from Chennai to Geneva, including being deployed as director-general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to being appointed as deputy director-general in 2017 to finally making it to WHO’s first chief scientist, is inspiring for all.

12. Suchitra Ella

Source : https://twitter.com/suchitraella

Suchitra Ella is the co-founder and Joint MD of a Hyderabad-based biotechnology company, Bharat Biotech International Ltd. (BBIL). The biotechnology company is involved in drug discovery, drug development, manufacture of vaccines, and health care products. The company came into the limelight when it produced the Covid-19 vaccine—Covaxine to fight the pandemic. Bharat Biotech has also produced vaccines for viral diseases, such as Zika and Chikungunya. While Suchitra’s husband, co-founder, looks after the scientific business, Suchitra runs the operations of the company. Ella has a robust portfolio with several accolades and positions in her name, including the Chairperson of CII Indian Women Network and board person of ISB Well Wisher’s Trust and United Way Hyderabad.

13. Arundhati Bhattacharya

A retired banker of SBI, Arundhati Bhattacharya has her spirits going in the field of technology. She currently seats as the Indian CEO and chairperson of cloud-based SaaS firm, Salesforce India. The $21-billion global SaaS giant is a US company based in San Francisco. Bhattacharya ranked 25th in Forbes’s Most-Powerful Woman in the World list in 2016. From a finance background, Bhattacharya’s enthusiasm and zeal for technology are an inspiration for many.

14. Mallika Srinivasan

In a male-dominated world of tractor manufacturing, Mallika Srinivasan heads Tractor and Farm Equipment (TAFE). Her entrepreneurial skills and sharp business acumen has contributed to the Indian agriculture machinery business. Under her leadership, the company has flourished and TAFE is now the second-largest tractor manufacturing company in India and third in the world.

15. Dr Pragati Singh

Source : https://www.instagram.com/dr.pragatisingh/

A medical doctor by profession, Dr Pragati Singh is the woman who put asexuals on the map. Dr Singh is the founder of Indian Aces, a community for asexuals (those who don’t feel sexually attracted to anyone). While working in the fields of maternal and reproductive health, she came across women who were not interested in having sexual intercourse with their husbands/partners. This triggered her to research more and she chanced upon the term asexuality. One thing lead to another, and Singh started ‘Indian Aces’, a community for addressing asexuals and asexuality. Indian Aces has given a voice to asexuals, a platform to those who’re looking for a non-sexual relationship. While sex is still a taboo in India, women like Dr Pragati are doing their bit to change that perception. True to her name, she is working for the development of people and the country.

16. Tessy Thomas

Tessy Thomas is an Indian scientist and Director General of Aeronautical Systems and the former Project Director for Agni-IV missile in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). She is the first-ever woman to head a missile project in India. She had a natural flair for maths and physics which is quite the opposite of what women are often told. She was appointed by the missile man of India, A P J Abdul Kalam himself for the Agni project. She played a pivotal role in making India self-reliant in the field of missile technology.

17. Leena Nair

Leena Nair is a distinguished Indian business executive known for her significant contributions in the corporate world. Born in 1969, she served as the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of Unilever, a multinational consumer goods company. Leena Nair has been recognized for her leadership in human resources and has been a prominent figure in fostering diversity and inclusion within the corporate environment.

18. Vinita Gupta

Vinita Gupta is a prominent businesswoman known for her role in the pharmaceutical industry. She is the CEO of Lupin Limited, a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Mumbai, India. Vinita Gupta has played a key leadership role in the growth and expansion of Lupin, contributing to its success as a major player in the global pharmaceutical market.

19. Neerja Birla

Source : https://twitter.com/NeerjaBirla

Neerja Birla is an Indian philanthropist, educationist, and mental health advocate known for her impactful work in promoting mental well-being. As the Founder and Chairperson of the Mpower initiative, she has been a vocal proponent of mental health awareness and has played a pivotal role in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues in India. Neerja is dedicated to creating a supportive ecosystem for those dealing with mental health challenges through various initiatives and educational programs.

20. Swati Piramal

Swati Piramal is a renowned Indian scientist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. With a background in medicine.As the Vice Chairperson of Piramal Enterprises, Swati has been instrumental in steering the company towards innovation and global expansion. Her notable contributions extend beyond business, as she is actively involved in philanthropy, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare. Swati Piramal’s multifaceted personality reflects her commitment to both scientific advancements and social welfare.

These are some names from different walks of life who’ve inspired us and continue to inspire through their wit and the choices they’ve made. Feel free to add more to the list in the comments section – when a woman supports (and cheers for) another woman, nothing can stop her from achieving success. Happy Women’s Day, ladies!

Also Read:

Powerful Women in the World
Women Entrepreneurs In India
Ways to Celebrate International Women’s Day

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