Economics is the backbone of policymaking, development, and innovation. Yet, for much of history, women in India have been underrepresented in this powerful discipline. Today, that story is changing, as we have a growing number of women economists rise to influence academia, government, and international institutions. Women constitute approximately one-third of faculty members in economics departments across Indian universities. However, this representation diminishes at senior levels, with fewer women holding positions as full professors .
That said, the journey remains challenging for most women, marked by both inspiring breakthroughs and persistent challenges. Post-independence India, few women entered economics, and even fewer made it to the top. Names like Dr. Isher Judge Ahluwalia, Devaki Jain, and Dr. Bina Agarwal stands out as pioneering figures who pushed boundaries and reframed how economics was approached—particularly with regard to poverty, development, and gender.
Several Indian women economists have earned national and global recognition. Gita Gopinath – Former Chief Economist of the IMF, now First Deputy Managing Director, Jayati Ghosh, known for her work on global inequality and development, Ashima Goyal, member of the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee and Bina Agarwal, renowned for her work on land rights and feminist economics are some renowned names. These leaders have shown that women can—and must—have a voice in economic discourse, especially in a country as diverse and complex as India.
While more Indian women are pursuing economics at the undergraduate and postgraduate level, gender imbalance remains pronounced in faculty and leadership roles. At top institutions like the Delhi School of Economics, JNU, and IGIDR, women are well-represented at the student level, but still face barriers in promotions and tenure tracks. In research, women are often underrepresented in high-impact publications, and less likely to receive funding or be invited to policy panels and economic advisory groups. A survey indicated a decline in job satisfaction among women economists in India, dropping from 20% in 2018 to 17% in 2023. Factors contributing to this include workplace dynamics and gender biases. In leading economics journals focusing on India, only 26% of the published authors are women, highlighting the underrepresentation in scholarly publications .
The gender gap in economics isn’t just about numbers—it’s also about the lens through which economic problems are viewed. Women economists have played a key role in highlighting key issues like unpaid labor, access to credit for women entrepreneurs, gendered impacts of economic reforms and social protection policies
These perspectives enrich the field and ensure that policies do not overlook the realities of half the population. When women participate, we get policies that reflect broader experiences—like the impact of inflation on household budgets or unpaid labor and economic models better capture outcomes much better, such as labor markets, education, and healthcare from a wider perspective
Some measures we can undertake to ensure more women join the workforce and pursue economics are as follows:
- Education Initiatives – More girls are taking up economics in school, encouraged by programs and Olympiads.
- Scholarships & Fellowships – Targeted support through schemes like UGC fellowships and international programs (e.g., Fulbright, Rhodes).
- Women-led Research Centres – Institutions like CWDS (Centre for Women’s Development Studies) support gender-focused economic research.
- Mentorship Networks – Informal and formal mentorship initiatives are helping young women economists navigate academia and policy careers.
Some challenges that will continue to exist include workplace bias and consequent slower career advancement as they break new barriers. Balancing research careers with societal expectations around family and caregiving as support continues to be sporadic across regions. Lack of role models in rural and semi-urban areas and underrepresentation in decision-making bodies (e.g., NITI Aayog, RBI leadership, finance ministry think tanks).
The Way Forward: To build a more inclusive field of economics in India, there must include gender-sensitive curriculum and research funding, an
increased visibility of women economists in public discourse, policy action on workplace equity and support systems and building platforms for cross-generational mentorship and peer support
Women in economics are not just contributing to a discipline—they’re reshaping how India thinks about growth, inequality, and opportunity. By breaking silos, challenging assumptions, and driving inclusive research, they are ensuring that the Indian economy works for everyone. More women studying economics isn’t just a win for gender equality—it’s a win for better economics. As India’s economy expands and evolves, the insights and leadership of women economists will be essential—not optional.
Economics is the backbone of policymaking, development, and innovation. Yet, for much of history, women in India have been underrepresented in this powerful discipline. Today, that story is changing, as we have a growing number of women economists rise to influence academia, government, and international institutions. Women constitute approximately one-third of faculty members in economics departments across Indian universities. However, this representation diminishes at senior levels, with fewer women holding positions as full professors .
That said, the journey remains challenging for most women, marked by both inspiring breakthroughs and persistent challenges. Post-independence India, few women entered economics, and even fewer made it to the top. Names like Dr. Isher Judge Ahluwalia, Devaki Jain, and Dr. Bina Agarwal stands out as pioneering figures who pushed boundaries and reframed how economics was approached—particularly with regard to poverty, development, and gender.
Several Indian women economists have earned national and global recognition. Gita Gopinath – Former Chief Economist of the IMF, now First Deputy Managing Director, Jayati Ghosh, known for her work on global inequality and development, Ashima Goyal, member of the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee and Bina Agarwal, renowned for her work on land rights and feminist economics are some renowned names. These leaders have shown that women can—and must—have a voice in economic discourse, especially in a country as diverse and complex as India.
While more Indian women are pursuing economics at the undergraduate and postgraduate level, gender imbalance remains pronounced in faculty and leadership roles. At top institutions like the Delhi School of Economics, JNU, and IGIDR, women are well-represented at the student level, but still face barriers in promotions and tenure tracks. In research, women are often underrepresented in high-impact publications, and less likely to receive funding or be invited to policy panels and economic advisory groups. A survey indicated a decline in job satisfaction among women economists in India, dropping from 20% in 2018 to 17% in 2023. Factors contributing to this include workplace dynamics and gender biases. In leading economics journals focusing on India, only 26% of the published authors are women, highlighting the underrepresentation in scholarly publications .
The gender gap in economics isn’t just about numbers—it’s also about the lens through which economic problems are viewed. Women economists have played a key role in highlighting key issues like unpaid labor, access to credit for women entrepreneurs, gendered impacts of economic reforms and social protection policies
These perspectives enrich the field and ensure that policies do not overlook the realities of half the population. When women participate, we get policies that reflect broader experiences—like the impact of inflation on household budgets or unpaid labor and economic models better capture outcomes much better, such as labor markets, education, and healthcare from a wider perspective
Some measures we can undertake to ensure more women join the workforce and pursue economics are as follows:
Some challenges that will continue to exist include workplace bias and consequent slower career advancement as they break new barriers. Balancing research careers with societal expectations around family and caregiving as support continues to be sporadic across regions. Lack of role models in rural and semi-urban areas and underrepresentation in decision-making bodies (e.g., NITI Aayog, RBI leadership, finance ministry think tanks).
The Way Forward: To build a more inclusive field of economics in India, there must include gender-sensitive curriculum and research funding, an
increased visibility of women economists in public discourse, policy action on workplace equity and support systems and building platforms for cross-generational mentorship and peer support
Women in economics are not just contributing to a discipline—they’re reshaping how India thinks about growth, inequality, and opportunity. By breaking silos, challenging assumptions, and driving inclusive research, they are ensuring that the Indian economy works for everyone. More women studying economics isn’t just a win for gender equality—it’s a win for better economics. As India’s economy expands and evolves, the insights and leadership of women economists will be essential—not optional.
Share This:
Kaira Sawhney