Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath has sparked a widespread discussion on the gender pay gap in India after sharing data highlighting the disparities that persist despite progress in women's education and workforce participation. Kamath's post on X (formerly Twitter) included data from the International Labour Organization and the Ministry of Statistics, pointing out a paradox: women are increasingly educated and entering the workforce, but significant inequalities in pay and participation remain.

The data shared by Kamath reveals that women in India earn, on average, ₹76 for every ₹100 earned by men in salaried jobs. This gap widens in high-skill positions, where men earn ₹150 per hour compared to ₹112 for women. Overall, men contribute 82% of the total labor income, while women account for only 18%.

However, the data also paints an optimistic picture in education. Women outpace men at higher levels of learning, holding 57% of postgraduate degrees and 67% of M.Phil degrees. Dropout rates for girls in secondary school are also lower than those for boys. Kamath highlighted this as a "silent education revolution," noting that the literacy rate among women has risen from 3 in 10 in 1981 to 7 in 10 today. Furthermore, women's labor force participation rate has increased from 23% in 2018 to 42% in 2024, with states like Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Manipur showing female participation rates above 60%. Even with these advances, a paradox remains: 48% of rural women are employed compared to only 28% of urban women.

Kamath believes the core issue lies in societal and psychological factors. He stated that "articulating and taking cognizance might be step one" towards addressing the problem. He emphasized the need for a change in societal norms and how value is assigned to women's work.

Netizens have reacted to Kamath's post with a mix of agreement and calls for action. Many users acknowledged the existence of the gender pay gap and the need for greater awareness. Some pointed out that the issue extends beyond pay disparities and includes the under-representation of women in leadership roles and the lack of recognition for women's unpaid labor. Others highlighted the importance of addressing unconscious biases in hiring and appraisal systems, as well as the disproportionate amount of unpaid domestic work that women continue to perform.

The gender pay gap is a persistent issue in India, with studies showing that women earn significantly less than men for the same work. According to one report, the pay parity in India is approximately 29.9%, meaning women earn only 70 paise for every rupee earned by a man. The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index 2024 ranked India 129th out of 146 countries, with women earning only ₹39.8 for every ₹100 earned by men.

Closing the gender gap could potentially add $2.9 trillion to India's GDP by 2025 if women participated in the workforce at the same rate as men. This requires a multi-pronged approach that includes leadership commitment, policy interventions, and a cultural shift within organizations to value women's contributions equally. Some companies are already taking steps to promote gender diversity, such as Hindustan Unilever's "Career by Choice" program for returning mothers.

Nikhil Kamath's highlighting of the gender pay gap has reignited the conversation around gender equality in India. While data indicates progress in education and workforce participation, significant disparities persist. Addressing these inequalities requires a collective effort to reshape social norms, workplace structures, and how value is assigned to women's work.