When pursuing EDGE Certification in India, it’s essential to understand the local DE&I landscape. This article explores the context for DE&I practices and data protection policies in India which could impact EDGE Certification. With an overview of the indicators shaping DE&I in India, your organization can prepare effectively and harness EDGE (gender-binary) and EDGEplus (gender and intersectionality) Certifications to drive meaningful, lasting change.
Navigate this Article
- Labour Market Indicators
- DE&I Focus Areas on a Country Level
- Personal Data Protection in India
- Achieve Meaningful DE&I Impact with EDGE Certification
Labour Market Indicators
DE&I Focus Areas on a Country Level
| DE&I Focus Areas | Status in India |
| Paid Parental Leave | Maternity leave: 26 weeks paid at 100% Paternity leave: 0 weeks paid |
| Law on Pay Equity | Yes ✅ |
| Pay Gap Reporting Legal Requirement | No ❌ |
| Gender Quotas on Company Boards | Yes ✅, the 2013 Companies Act made it compulsory for all publicly listed firms to have at least one woman director. |
| Non-Binary Gender Identity Legal Recognition | Yes ✅ |
| Sexual Harassment Protection in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Disability Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| LGBTQ+ Non-Discrimination in Employment | Transgender Identity yes, no specific employment discrimination law for sexual orientation |
| Race/Ethnicity Non-Discrimination in Employment | No specific codified law for employment discrimination. Constitution only. |
| Nationality Non-Discrimination in Employment | Constitution only. |
| Age Non-Discrimination in Employment | No ❌ |
| Same-Sex Marriage | No ❌ |
This data is taken from EquiNations, our research which captures the DE&I regulatory contexts across the 20 countries with the highest number of currently EDGE Certified organizations.
Personal data protection in India
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) was passed by the Indian Parliament and received Presidential assent on August 11, 2023. Once implemented, the DPDP Act will likely bring India’s data protection regime in line with other jurisdictions like the EU, requiring employers to comply with stringent data handling standards. EDGE securely collects, analyzes, and stores only anonymized and aggregated data on servers located in Switzerland, ensuring compliance with India’s evolving data protection policies. Therefore, organizations operating in India can confidently continue to use our services.
Achieve Meaningful DE&I Impact with EDGE Certification
EDGE Certification is audited by independent third-party certification bodies, it supports the integrity and credibility of data and information, and gives organizations a powerful way to communicate DE&I commitment and performance.
DE&I management requires a sustained, business-critical focus. Integrating DE&I into an organization’s policies and practices while regularly reviewing and refining efforts is essential. EDGE Certification, powered by EDGE Empower®, supports organizations build and maintain this focus and includes:
- An analytical framework to help organizations assess their current DE&I status and benchmark to define achievable goals.
- Two-year cycles to set time-bound objectives and track progress.
- Transparency and accountability through third-party verification.
- EDGEplus for a comprehensive view of DE&I that considers the intersectionality between gender and other diversity dimensions (race/ethnicity, gender identity, working with a disability, nationality, age, and LGBTQ+).
- A data-driven, proven approach informed by leadership insights and real-world practices, supporting a holistic DE&I strategy.
- Guidance on meeting DE&I compliance obligations, including the CSRD and EU Pay Transparency Directive.
To learn more about how EDGE can support your DE&I goals and meet regulatory requirements in India, please contact us or begin your EDGE Certification® journey with EDGE Empower®.
Disclaimer: Please note that this does not constitute legal advice.
Updated January 2025
