Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta spearheaded a transformative decision on July 30, 2025, approving amendments to the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954, to allow women night shifts, unlocking a wave of job opportunities in retail, IT, and hospitality. Previously, women faced a ban from 9 PM to 7 AM in summer and 8 PM to 8 AM in winter, a restriction driven by Delhi Police safety concerns in a 2023 proposal that stalled due to harassment fears, despite no evidence, reflecting outdated norms and bureaucratic delays that excluded women from night economies.
Gupta’s vision to make Delhi a 24/7 business hub fuels this change, targeting a 15% rise in women’s employment and boosting the city’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, aligning with states like Tamil Nadu. Safety measures—transport, CCTV, female guards, and consent—address past objections, with Internal Complaints Committees ensuring security. Spurred by a June 30 meeting, this policy has ignited excitement among women job seekers, turning night shifts into a vibrant career pathway. Reported widely, Gupta’s leadership marks a bold step toward gender equity, reshaping Delhi’s workforce as of July 31, 2025, with enforcement critical to its success.
