In a landmark assessment of gender-inclusivity across Indian cities, Bengaluru has been ranked as the best city for women in 2025, according to the Top Cities for Women in India (TCWI) 2025 report released by Chennai-based workplace inclusion firm Avtar. Bengaluru scored the highest City Inclusion Score (CIS) of 53.29, outperforming major metros including Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
The City Inclusion Score is a composite metric that evaluates cities on two key pillars:
Cities that perform strongly across both these pillars are considered more supportive of long-term professional and personal development for women.
Bengaluru’s top ranking is attributed to its robust industrial inclusion ecosystem. The city’s mature corporate environment, diverse job market — especially in IT and startups — and progressive workplace practices have fuelled its leadership position. This has not only expanded opportunities for women professionals but has also enhanced skilling and career-enablement pathways, strengthening its overall inclusion score.
While Bengaluru tops the list, other metropolitan cities also made notable performances:
The report highlights that cities excelling in both quality of life and employment opportunities provide the most sustainable environments for women’s long-term growth.
The TCWI 2025 report reflects broader regional patterns in gender inclusion:
For aspirants preparing for UPSC, civil services, SSC, banking, railways, defence and police examinations, this report underscores key governance and societal trends in urban development and gender inclusivity — topics frequently tested in General Awareness, Indian Society and Government Schemes and Initiatives. The TCWI ranking emphasizes how cities are evolving beyond economic metrics alone, incorporating social equity and women’s empowerment into urban planning.
This ranking is not just a statistical outcome — it reflects concerted policy efforts by state administrations and corporate sectors to improve conditions for women in workplaces and communities. Aspirants should understand how public policy, corporate inclusion strategies and urban governance models impact societal well-being and gender parity — important themes in General Studies Paper-II and Ethics.
As India’s urban population grows, inclusive development frameworks like the TCWI influence how cities attract talent, encourage women’s participation in the workforce and foster safer environments. These shifts are vital for economic growth, social stability and sustainable urbanisation, making this news directly relevant for exam questions on Developmental Economics, Demographics and Governance Reforms.
Gender inclusion in Indian cities has been an increasing priority over the last decade. Earlier urban indices largely focused on economic performance, infrastructure and basic amenities. However, with rising concerns about women’s safety, employment and quality of life, newer frameworks such as this Top Cities for Women index have emerged to highlight intersectional development.
Historically, assessments of women’s status in cities prioritized crime and safety statistics alone. While safety remains crucial, recent approaches integrate employment participation, healthcare access, mobility and liveability. This signals a shift towards a more holistic understanding of women’s empowerment and gender-responsive urban governance.
Cities like Bengaluru have benefited from rapid industrialisation, especially in tech and startup sectors, which have created formal job opportunities for women. Progressive corporate inclusion policies and skilling programs have augmented women’s presence in the workforce, adding depth to industrial inclusion metrics.
Answer: Bengaluru has been ranked as the best Indian city for women in 2025, scoring highest on the City Inclusion Score (CIS).
Answer: CIS is a composite index measuring cities on social inclusion (safety, healthcare, education, urban mobility) and industrial inclusion (employment opportunities, corporate gender inclusivity, workforce participation).
Answer: The cities following Bengaluru are Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
Answer: Bengaluru leads due to strong industrial inclusion, progressive corporate practices, robust employment opportunities, and supportive urban policies for women.
Answer: The two main pillars are Social Inclusion Score (SIS) and Industrial Inclusion Score (IIS).
Answer: It highlights urban development, women empowerment, governance policies, and regional development — topics relevant for UPSC, SSC, banking, railways, and police exams.
Answer: Southern India, led by Bengaluru and Chennai, showed the highest gender inclusivity, followed by Western cities like Pune and Mumbai.
Answer: Earlier rankings focused on safety and infrastructure. Now, inclusion measures integrate employment, corporate participation, healthcare, and quality of life for women.
Answer: The IT, startup ecosystem, and corporate sector contributed significantly, along with skill development and workforce participation programs for women.
Answer: The report helps policymakers, urban planners, and corporates understand inclusive development models, leading to safer and more productive cities for women.
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