A study by global executive research firm EMA Partners International has revealed that the proportion of women CEOs and MDs in Indian companies has risen to 21% in 2013, up from around 11% in 2009. According to the study, shared exclusively with ET, 45 women occupy leadership roles across the 215 companies surveyed.

The ET report mentioned K Sudarshan, regional managing partner, EMA Partners as saying that the study was not restricted to listed companies since they tell only part of the story. He said, "The companies - public, private and MNCs - have been chosen on the basis of their profile and influence within their respective industries. They generally have industry best practices and womenfriendly policies in place."

Companies surveyed include HUL, ITC, Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, Aditya Birla Group, SBI, IBM, Intel, Accenture, LG Electronics and Maruti. "We see a conscious effort by several businesses across sectors to push the diversity agenda," says Sudarshan.

The banking and financial services sector continues to lead the way, with women accounting for 29% (15) of the 52 CEOs covered. Consulting, travel, retail, media and manufacturing trail in terms of sectoral distribution of women CEOs, the report added.

Read the complete ET report here