Women in India aren’t just breaking glass ceilings—they’re logging into trading apps and breaking into the country’s fast-moving equity markets at a record pace. Nithin Kamath, Zerodha’s co-founder, recently shared a stat on X that might surprise even the most bullish on India’s financial future: women now account for 30% of Zerodha’s customer base, up dramatically from a meager 2–3% just ten years ago.
The Rise Nobody Saw Coming
Let’s rewind to 2014-15. Zerodha, like most Indian brokerages back then, was a male-dominated bastion—women made up just 2-3% of users. Fast-forward to today, and the landscape has changed completely. It’s not just a blip; it’s a groundswell. Out of every ten Zerodha accounts, three now belong to women—think about how many new investors that represents.
Nithin Kamath himself was surprised. So was everyone else.
Who’s In The Driver’s Seat?
This isn’t just a numbers game. Kamath’s team ran a survey to see if women were actually making investment decisions themselves. The result? About 50% of women on Zerodha actively manage their own accounts. The other half? They’re often managed by family—husbands, brothers, or even children.
Here’s the twist. While having a loved one handle your trades isn’t new, the self-driven cohort is finally catching up. For Indian finance, that’s a genuinely big deal.
Why Does It Matter? The Bigger Picture
Over the past decade, women’s participation isn’t limited to one platform. It reflects a deeper shift nationwide. In 2014, women held just 21% of borrower accounts; now, they own over 39% of all bank accounts and more than 42% in rural India, government data shows. Even mutual funds aren’t lagging—over 25% of all mutual fund investors are women, holding a hefty 33% of the assets. Financial inclusion, anyone?
The story behind these numbers? Policy nudges, smartphone revolutions, social change, and a growing conviction that investing isn’t a “man’s world.” Initiatives like Jan Dhan Yojana and digital KYC have nudged millions of women from cash and gold into the mainstream of India’s financial system.
What’s Next? A Future With More Women Calling The Shots
It’s not perfect—yet. Half of women investors still let others steer the ship. But that’s already a sea change from a decade ago, when women’s names on demat accounts were mostly a technicality.
Now, platforms like Zerodha are actively trying to nudge women to take charge. From education initiatives to community groups, the focus is on turning “women investors” into “women investment leaders”.
FAQs
Q: How big is the rise in women investors on Zerodha?
A: Women now make up 30% of Zerodha’s user base—a tenfold jump in just a decade.
Q: Are most of these women managing their own accounts?
A: About 50% of women on Zerodha manage their own investments; the rest often let family help run their accounts.
Q: Is this trend visible beyond Zerodha?
A: Yes—women’s participation in Indian finance is soaring overall. Nearly 40% own bank accounts, and 25% of mutual fund investors (holding 33% of mutual fund AUM) are women.
Q: Why are more women investing now?
A: Financial inclusion policies, digital access, education, and changing social norms have all contributed to the rise.
Q: What’s next for women investors?
A: Expect more self-directed investing, better product customisation, and a push for financial confidence as the next wave.
