Nine years after the workplace crèche mandate was introduced, the government has no data on how many establishments must comply or how widely the provision is being followed
Female LFPR fell to 33.2% in April-June from 34.7% in the previous quarter. Urban female LFPR, at 25%, remains especially low, highlighting persistent barriers to employment
Women spend 236 minutes a day on unpaid domestic work for household members, compared with 24 minutes for men. Care responsibilities remain a major constraint on women’s employment
With most Indian births still occurring to women in their 20s, motherhood often overlaps with early career years
Affordable child care can help women remain attached to the workforce
The 50-worker threshold excludes much of India’s informal and small-enterprise workforce. Shared and community child-care facilities are needed to address the wider care deficit
India needs credible data on crèche coverage, compliance and utilisation, backed by stronger enforcement
Child care must be treated as essential employment infrastructure, not merely welfare