Business Today celebrated its 21st annual Most Powerful Women in Business event on November 8 in Mumbai, highlighting exceptional women who have made significant strides across various industries.

The gathering honored leaders who exemplify resilience, vision, and innovation in the evolving landscape of Indian business, the network said in a press release.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, the event’s chief guest, inaugurated the occasion alongside Kalli Purie, Vice-Chairperson and Executive Editor-in-Chief of India Today Group. The two unveiled the MPW Special Issue, showcasing inspiring stories of this year’s honorees.

In his address, Goyal commended the Indian government’s commitment to empowering women and discussed India’s readiness to adapt amid potential global trade shifts.

This year, the list welcomed 60 women leaders, including 12 newcomers and two Hall of Fame inductees, all celebrated for their transformative impact. Prominent honorees included Schauna Chauhan (CEO, Parle Agro), Ananya Birla (Founder, Svatantra Microfinance), Prabha Narasimhan (MD & CEO, Colgate-Palmolive India), Prativa Mohapatra (VP & MD, Adobe India), Ameera Shah (Executive Chairperson, Metropolis Healthcare), and Padmaja Ruparel (Co-founder, Indian Angel Network).

Focusing on the theme “Balance. Work. Life. Safety,” the event hosted insightful panels on women’s unique challenges. Speakers like Prabha Narasimhan and Padmaja Ruparel shared personal stories, emphasizing self-worth and resilience in overcoming societal barriers. Radhika Gupta, MD & CEO of Edelweiss AMC, spoke on the importance of women’s multitasking skills in leadership, while Shefali Goradia (Chairperson, Deloitte South Asia) and Amisha Vora (Chairperson & MD, Prabhudas Lilladher Group) highlighted the need for gender parity in corporate spaces.

The annual MPW event has been a significant platform for celebrating women’s achievements since 2003, reinforcing the importance of gender equity and creating pathways for future female leaders.