Over the past two decades, there has been a significant rise in the participation of women in the chartered accountants (CAs) in India.
Significant Milestone in ICAI Membership
As of April 2024, women constitute over 30.26% of the total member base of around 4.25 lakh.
This is a remarkable increase compared to:
- 8% in 2000
- 20% in 2012
- 22% in 2014
- 27% in 2020
Leadership Perspective
“Indian families are now more supportive of girls pursuing professional careers, particularly in demanding fields such as accounting and finance. Female students also constitute over 44% of ICAI’s active student base, indicating strong future representation.” said ICAI President Charanjot Singh Nanda.
ICAI’s Initiatives to Promote Women in CA Profession
ICAI’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, such as the Women Members Empowerment Committee (WMEC), have played a pivotal role. This committee organises workshops, seminars, and mentorship programmes to support women CAs in their professional journeys.
Regional Trends in Female Participation
The western and southern regions have reflected the strongest participation of female candidates in CA courses over the past three years.
Other Regions
Northern Region and Eastern Region has the lowest female enrolment figures.
Excelling in Exams
The academic performance of women CA aspirants has been noteworthy. In recent years, women have consistently topped merit lists across all levels of the CA examinations. In the recent CA Foundation exam in May 2025, Vrinda Agarwal from Ghaziabad secured AIR 1. The CA Intermediate exam saw Disha Ashish Gokhru from Mumbai top the merit list, while the Final exam witnessed Nishtha Bothra of Kolkata, bag AIR 2.
Nanda says, "In the intermediate exams conducted in January and May 2025, the first rank was secured by female candidates in both sessions. In the May 2025 Final Examination, a female candidate achieved the second rank. Similarly, the 2024 Intermediate exam saw women sweep the top three ranks, and in the November 2023 Final exam, the second rank again went to a female candidate. In the CA Foundation exam, nearly 48% of all qualified students were women, underlining their growing interest in the field."
Regional data also shows an encouraging trend. Between 2022 and 2025, enrolment of female students increased across all zones, with the southern and western regions leading in terms of numbers.
Conclusion
The increased participation of women in the CA profession is a positive indicator of societal change, gender empowerment, and professional inclusion in India. With ICAI’s continued support through initiatives like WMEC and regional growth, the future holds promising opportunities for women in the CA domain.
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