Now Reading: Nifty 50 gender pay gap persists, only 14% of firms achieve parity
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Nifty 50 gender pay gap persists, only 14% of firms achieve parity
The Story in Brief
Gender pay parity remains elusive for most Nifty 50 companies. An analysis of annual reports by the Economic Times shows that in FY26, five out of every six companies (83%) paid their median woman employee less than her median male colleague. The proportion is nearly unchanged from FY25 and worse than FY24.
Only 38% of firms that had a gap in FY25 moved toward parity in FY26, the rest saw further deterioration. The analysis is based on 48 companies' median remuneration data (two did not disclose gender-wise figures). Across India's million-plus cities, salaried women earned a monthly average of Rs 23,707 in 2025 against men's Rs 30,707, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey.
Experts attribute the gap to women being concentrated in junior and enabling roles, with only 27% of the workforce female. New Labour Codes prohibit wage discrimination, but analysts say companies need regular pay audits to drive change.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both sources present identical data and framing: the gender pay gap remains severe, with only 14% of Nifty 50 companies showing parity in FY26. There is no pro-government or critical stance to compare, the story is a straight data report. The uniform coverage means the sources agree the gap persists despite legal progress. The key takeaway for a careful reader is that while new Labour Codes strengthen the legal basis against wage discrimination, structural barriers, concentration of women in junior and enabling roles, remain untouched. Watch for the next year's data to see if 38% improvement rate holds.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 sensationalist
Sources (2): economictimes.indiatimes.com (sensationalist), hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com (sensationalist)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
