High-net-worth women in India are increasingly taking an active role in managing and shaping family wealth. According to Waterfield Advisors’ latest report, 'Women of Wealth: Advancing the Cultural Shift in Wealth Management', a notable increase in women's participation in equity has been observed.

Nearly 73 per cent of respondents said that they are investing or are interested in domestic equities. Besides, they are also open to raising their exposure to gold, suggesting portfolio diversification.

The study was based on a survey of 169 women across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities with family net worth exceeding ₹5 crore.

The report finds that women’s financial understanding and engagement levels have strengthened significantly, with a majority now actively involved in family financial decision-making for the first time.

The findings also challenge conventional perceptions around risk appetite, as many respondents demonstrated resilience toward market volatility and a long-term investment outlook.

Despite this progress, structural disparities remain. A woman’s economic role within the household continues to influence her degree of financial participation and decision-making authority, underscoring persistent gaps in financial inclusion.

Transparency has emerged as the most critical expectation from wealth advisors, signalling a growing preference for accountable, trust-led advisory relationships over transactional engagement.

Amid India’s expanding wealth base and an ongoing intergenerational wealth transfer, the study examines key trends expected to further accelerate women’s financial agency and reshape wealth management dynamics in the coming years.