The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has issued a renewed directive urging public limited companies to actively enhance board diversity and promote gender equity, aligning with evolving global corporate governance standards. This advisory, released in April 2029, builds upon existing mandates under the Companies Act, 2013, and SEBI’s Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Regulations, and places fresh emphasis on voluntary, measurable action plans to foster inclusive leadership and equitable representation across all levels of public corporate governance.

While the law currently mandates the appointment of at least one woman director on the board of certain public companies, the MCA is now encouraging boards to go beyond minimum compliance and adopt comprehensive diversity policies. Companies are advised to disclose not only the number of women directors but also the gender composition of executive teams, board committees, succession plans, and diversity targets. The MCA recommends integrating diversity metrics into ESG and CSR reporting and publishing gender equity commitments in their annual reports and websites for public accountability.

To further support implementation, the MCA has announced a partnership with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) to develop a National Board Diversity Index and launch training modules for independent directors and nomination committees. Companies demonstrating leadership in gender equity will be recognized under a new “Inclusive Board Champion” certification, enhancing their governance credentials and appeal to ESG-conscious investors. Analysts and governance experts have welcomed the initiative, calling it a critical step toward modernizing Indian boardrooms, increasing innovation, and ensuring that corporate leadership reflects the full breadth of India’s diverse talent pool.