Business
Women’s Employment Rate In India Jumps From 22% To 40.3% In 6 Years
New Delhi: The Ministry of Labour and Employment on Monday highlighted that India has witnessed a remarkable increase in the female workforce participation rate, based on the periodic labour force survey (PLFS) data which shows that the women’s employment rate (WPR) grew from 22 per cent in 2017-18 to 40.3 per cent in 2023-24, while the unemployment rate (UR) dropped from 5.6 per cent in 2017-18 to 3.2 per cent in 2023-24.
This shift is even more significant in rural India, where female employment has grown by 96 per cent while urban areas have seen an increase of 43 per cent in employment during the same period.
The employability of female graduates has also increased from 42 per cent in 2013 to 47.53 per cent in 2024. The employment rate (WPR) among women with postgraduate education and above has risen from 34.5 per cent in 2017-18 to 40 per cent in 2023-24, as per the statement.
According to the India Skills Report 2025, nearly 55 per cent of Indian graduates are expected to be globally employable in 2025, up from 51.2 per cent in 2024.
Additionally, EPFO payroll data further highlights the increasing participation of women in the formal sector. Over the past seven years, 1.56 crore women have joined the formal workforce. Meanwhile, e-Shram, as of August, has recorded over 16.69 crore unorganised women workers’ registrations, providing them access to various social welfare schemes of the Centre.
The ministry has highlighted that efforts by the Centre are contributing to growth in women entrepreneurs. At the national level, 70 Central schemes across 15 Ministries and more than 400 state-level schemes focus on supporting female entrepreneurship. PLFS data shows that female self-employment grew by 30 per cent – from 51.9 per cent in 2017-18 to 67.4 per cent in 2023-24, making women truly Atmanirbhar, it said.
Gender budgets have increased by 429 per cent in the last decade, rising from Rs 0.85 lakh crore in FY 2013-14 (RE) to Rs 4.49 lakh crore in FY 2025-26. This reflects a paradigm shift from women’s development to women-led development, with a strong focus on employment, employability, entrepreneurship, and welfare.
Programmes like Startup India have fostered a thriving ecosystem, with nearly 50 per cent of DPIIT-registered startups having at least one woman director, i.e., 74,410 out of over 1.54 lakh. Today, around two crore women have become Lakhpati Didi. Flagship programmes such as Namo Drone Didi, and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – NRLM are also playing a crucial role in this transformation, equipping them with resources and opportunities needed to drive sustainable progress, the statement pointed out.
Another important driver of the rise in women’s self-employment is PM Mudra Yojana, which is playing a crucial role in financial inclusion, with women receiving 68 per cent of the total MUDRA loans – over 35.38 crore loans worth Rs 14.72 lakh crore. Similarly, PM SVANidhi has empowered street vendors, and around 44 per cent beneficiaries are women under the scheme. These initiatives are driving a new wave of economic self-reliance among women across India.
Additionally, women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have also emerged as key drivers of economic expansion, generating over 89 lakh additional jobs for women from FY 21 to FY 23. The share of women-owned proprietary establishments has surged from 17.4 per cent in 2010-11 to 26.2 per cent in 2023-24, and the number of women-led MSMEs have also nearly doubled, growing from 1 crore in 2010-11 to 1.92 crore in 2023-24, highlighting the increasing role of women in shaping India’s economic future.
Pakistan’s inflation rose to 7% in February 2026, marking the highest level since October 2024, as electricity price hikes and rising global uncertainty pushed consumer costs upward.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 6.98% year-on-year, compared to 5.8% in January and 1.5% in February last year.
Electricity Tariffs Drive Surge
The biggest impact came from higher electricity prices after subsidy cuts and revised tariff structures.
Housing, water, electricity, gas & fuels index rose 9.65% annually
Electricity prices alone increased 10.03% month-on-month
These adjustments significantly burdened households already coping with high living costs.
Core Inflation & Interest Rates
Core inflation showed slight easing:
Urban core inflation: 7.1% (down from 7.2%)
Rural core inflation: Stable at 8.3%
The rise in CPI reduced real interest rates by around 120 basis points. The State Bank of Pakistan kept its policy rate unchanged at 10.5% last month.
Food Prices Mixed
Food inflation rose to 5.8%, up from 3.9% in January.
Major increases:
Tomatoes: +82%
Wheat: +42.6%
Wheat flour: +25.9%
Meat: +11.3%
Milk powder: +9.4%
Price declines:
Potatoes: -40%
Chicken: -21.8%
Gram pulse: -21.7%
Onions: -17%
Wholesale Pressure Rising
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) increased to 1.0%, signaling growing producer-level cost pressures that could pass on to consumers in coming months.
External Risks Loom
Analysts warn that escalating Middle East tensions could:
Raise global oil prices
Increase Pakistan’s import bill
Pressure the rupee
Worsen inflation further
With millions of Pakistanis working in Gulf countries, any prolonged instability could also affect remittances — a key pillar of the economy.
Last Updated:
Gold and silver prices in India eased after a rally driven by Middle East conflict. 24-carat gold is Rs 1,70,020 per 10gm, silver below Rs 3,00,000.
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, gold and silver prices have witnessed a sharp surge, with market experts warning of further increases if the conflict intensifies.
Gold and silver prices: Gold and silver prices across India eased slightly after rallying as investors rushed towards safe havens due to the conflict in the Middle East. The price of 24-carat gold stood at Rs 1,70,020 per 10 grams, while 22k gold was available at Rs 1,55,850 per 10 grams. These rates do not include GST and making charges.
Silver also fell by Rs 20,000 to come down below Rs 3,00,000.
On MCX, gold futures, whose expiry is on April 02, 2026, was traded at Rs 1,66,199 per 10 gram, with a rise of 2.53 per cent. While silver futures expiring on March 05, 2026, were trading at Rs 2,80,090 per kg, with a fall of 0.90 per cent.
What Is The Price Of 22kt, 24kt Gold Rates Today In India Across Key Cities On March 03?
| City | 22K Gold (per 10gm) | 24K Gold (per 10gm) |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Rs 1,56,000 | Rs 1,70,170 |
| Jaipur | Rs 1,56,000 | Rs 1,70,170 |
| Ahmedabad | Rs 1,55,900 | Rs 1,70,070 |
| Pune | Rs 1,55,900 | Rs 1,70,070 |
| Mumbai | Rs 1,55,850 | Rs 1,70,020 |
| Hyderabad | Rs 1,55,850 | Rs 1,70,020 |
| Chennai | Rs 1,55,850 | Rs 1,70,020 |
| Bengaluru | Rs 1,55,850 | Rs 1,70,020 |
| Kolkata | Rs 1,55,850 | Rs 1,70,020 |
What Factors Affect Gold Prices In India?
International market rates, import duties, taxes, and fluctuations in exchange rates primarily influence gold prices in India. Together, these factors determine the daily gold rates across the country.
In India, gold is deeply cultural and financial. It is a preferred investment option and is key to celebrations, particularly weddings and festivals.
With constantly changing market conditions, investors and traders monitor fluctuations closely. Staying updated is crucial for effectively navigating dynamic trends.
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March 03, 2026, 09:52 IST
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Shop price inflation eased in February but consumers are still paying 3.5% more for food than a year ago, figures show.
Overall shop inflation fell slightly to 1.1% from January’s 1.5%, in line with the three-month average of 1.1%, as fierce competition between retailers kept price rises in check and customers benefited from promotions across health, beauty and fashion, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and NIQ.
Prices of products other than food were down 0.1% year on year, a significant drop from January’s growth of 0.3%.
Overall food inflation fell slightly to 3.5% from 3.9% in January, while fresh food prices remained 4.3% higher than last February, a slight drop from January’s 4.4% and above the three-month average of 4.2%.
However falling global costs pushed ambient food inflation down to 2.3% – its lowest level in four years and a significant fall from January’s 3.1%.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Households got some welcome relief in February as shop price inflation eased.
“While the direction of travel is promising, prices are still rising, and many consumers remain under pressure.”
Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business insight at NIQ, said: “Since the start of the year, we have seen some competitive pricing across both the food and non-food channels which is helping to bring down inflation.
“Whilst the inclement weather and weak sentiment is making consumer demand rather unpredictable for retailers, at least shoppers are now seeing some of their cost-of-living pressures start to ease.”
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