In recent years, there has been a seismic shift in gender roles in Indian society. Women are no longer expected to remain confined to their homes and take care of domestic affairs. Women today stand on equal footing as men, whether it is in terms of employment, sporting talent and accolades, or spearheading large businesses.

In this article, let us look at five such Indian businesswomen who have shattered the proverbial glass ceiling, paving the way for future women in business and finance.

• Indian businesswomen are quickly becoming trailblazers in the business world.
• From Kiran Mazumdar Shaw to Savitri Jindal, women are proving that they can do anything men can.
• Their success stories serve as inspiration for future businesswomen, who can look up to them as role models.

1. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

With a net worth of $3.2 billion, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is one of the most renowned and influential names on this list. The Founder and Chairperson of Biocon, Forbes listed her as the 68th most powerful woman on the planet in 2019! Her impressive list of accolades also includes the Othmer Gold Medal for her incredible contributions to science and chemistry.

2. Arundhati Bhattacharya

When we talk about inspirational women, we must mention Arundhati Bhattacharya. A familiar name to most, she was the Chairperson of the State Bank of India (from October 2013 to October 2017). She was also the first-ever female Chairperson of SBI. In 2016, Forbes listed her as the 25th most powerful woman on the planet!

For her peerless contributions to the world of banking, she is also called the ‘First Woman of Banking’. Today, she serves as the Chairperson and CEO of Salesforce, India.

3. Kalpana Morparia

Ranked by Fortune Magazine as one of the 50 most powerful women in international business in 2008, Kalpana Morparia worked with ICICI Bank for three decades. She then joined JPMorgan as the CEO of South and Southeast Asia. Furthermore, Kalpana served on various committees constituted by the Indian government. She also played a vital role in the ICICI Limited - ICICI Bank merger, creating the country’s second-largest bank.

4. Smitha Crishna-Godrej

With a net worth of US $3.8 billion, Smitha Crishna is the third-richest woman in the country. She holds a 20% stake in the family assets, making her one of the most powerful women in India. In 2016, she was bestowed with the Extraordinary Leadership Award by the Education World for her invaluable work in supporting cultural and educational initiatives.

She is also one of the most accomplished women in the business world and was inducted into the BSE Hall of Fame. Forbes Magazine also recognised her as one of the most powerful women on the planet.

5. Savitri Jindal

As of March 2024, Savitri Jindal is the richest woman in India and the 50th richest person in the world! Apart from being a renowned Indian businesswoman as the chairperson emeritus of the O. P. Jindal Grop, she is also a politician. Savitri Jindal became the chairperson of the Jindal Group following the untimely passing of her husband, O. P. Jindal, in 2005.

Coming to her political career, she was a member of the Indian National Congress, but joined the BJP in March 2024. She also served as the cabinet minister in the Haryana Government in October 2013.

Other incredible women in the business world include Indu Jain, the former Chairperson of The Times Group (former Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.), Anu Aga, former Chairperson of Thermax Ltd., and Falguni Nayar, the Founder and CEO of Nykaa.

Each woman named on this list has been a pioneer and a trailblazer, breaking frontiers and creating history. They have each left an indelible mark in the business world and proved that with hard work, perseverance, and determination, women can achieve incredible heights in their personal and professional lives.