Women now hold more PAN cards than men, marking a historic shift in economic participation. NITI Aayog data shows a sharp rise in women’s workforce engagement.
In a groundbreaking trend, women in India have overtaken men in holding PAN cards as of FY24, signaling their rising economic presence. This milestone, reported on May 17, 2025, highlights women’s increasing involvement in the formal economy, as PAN cards are crucial for tax filing, banking, and major transactions like purchasing property or stocks. NITI Aayog’s sustainable development goals dashboard gives India a gender equality score of 66 out of 100, reflecting progress but a remaining gap to bridge by 2030.
Women’s labour force participation has surged from 23.3% in FY18 to 41.7% in FY24, driven largely by rural women joining the workforce. States like Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are at the forefront of gender equality initiatives. This growth is supported by better job access for marginalized groups, fostering broader economic inclusion.
Tax expert Amit Maheshwari from AKM Global credits this shift to improved financial inclusion, calling it a significant step toward women’s empowerment. The consistent increase in PAN allotments to women points to their growing economic impact, though full gender equality remains a target for 2030.
