The State Bank of India (SBI) reports a significant increase in women's participation in Indian stock markets, with women now making up nearly 1 in every 4 new investors. Since 2021, there have been 30 million new demat accounts added annually, with Delhi leading the pack at 29.8 per cent followed by Maharashtra at 27.7 per cent and Tamil Nadu 27.5 percent.
This growth is driven by technological advancements, lower trading costs, and increased access to information. The report also highlights that a 1 per cent rise in market capitalization leads to a 0.06 per cent increase in GDP growth rate.
The report indicates a gradual increase in female investor registrations since FY22, surpassing the national average of 23.9 per cent. However, regional disparities exist in states like Bihar at 15.4 per cent, Uttar Pradesh at 18.2 per cent, and Odisha at 19.4 per cent.
The report shows a rise in women's participation rates in financial markets in most states compared to FY25 to FY22, indicating a positive trend toward gender inclusion. The Western region is shifting capital market activity to cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kanpur. Direct equity participation is also increasing, with mutual fund inflows surpassing indirect retail participation.
