Multiple initiatives taken to encourage women participation in decision making in companies

The cumulative number of women directors in listed companies, un-listed public companies and private companies as on 30 November 2024 are as follows;

Category	Count of women directors associated
Listed Public companies	8,672
Unlisted public companies	46,939
Private companies (including OPCs)	11,11,040

 The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, with a view to encourage women participation in decision making at various levels in companies, has included the following provisions in the Companies Act, 2013,

• Second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 149 of the Companies Act, 2013 (Act) provides that prescribed class of companies shall have at least one woman director.
• Further, as per Rule 3 of Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2024, every listed company and every other public company having paid up share capital of Rs. 100 crore or more or having turnover of Rs. 300 crore or more, is required to appoint at least one woman director.
• If a company makes default in complying with this provision of the Act, the company and every officer of the company who is in default, is liable for penalty provided under section 172 of the Companies Act, 2013.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Harsh Malhotra stated this in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Women director requirement: prescribed companies must appoint at least one woman director or face penalties for non-compliance. The document states that a prescribed class of companies must have at least one woman director, citing the second proviso to sub section (1) of section 149 of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rule 3 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2024. Rule 3 requires every listed company and every other public company meeting specified paid up capital or turnover thresholds to appoint at least one woman director. Non compliance renders the company and every officer in default liable to penalties under the Companies Act, 2013.