Which is India’s safest city for women? Delhi, UP, Bihar miss top 10

A new report by the Avatar Group ranks Indian cities based on women’s safety, inclusion and career opportunities. Bengaluru secured the top position, followed by Chennai, while no city from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh or Bihar made it to the top 10.

Post Published By: Sona Saini
Updated : 8 January 2026, 11:04 AM IST
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New Delhi: There is a nationwide debate about women's safety, career opportunities, and quality of life. Meanwhile, the latest report, "Top Cities for Women in India (TCWI) - Fourth Edition," released by the Avtar Group, makes it clear that not a single city from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, or Bihar is included in the top 10 list of the safest and best cities for women. This time, Bengaluru has taken the top spot.

Ranking Based on City Inclusion Score

The report ranks cities based on the City Inclusion Score (CIS). This score is based on two key parameters:

Social Inclusion Score (SIS): Safety, health facilities, ease of living, and public transportation.

Industrial Inclusion Score (IIS): Employment opportunities for women, career growth, and corporate policies.

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Bengaluru and Chennai Dominate

According to the report, Bengaluru secured the first position with a score of 53.29. It offers excellent career opportunities for women, a strong startup ecosystem, and strong industry support. Chennai ranked second, performing well on social parameters like safety, education, and public transportation.

Opportunities in Delhi-NCR, but Safety Concerns

Cities like Delhi, Gurugram, and Noida are plentiful in job opportunities, but they lag behind in terms of safety, affordability, and transportation. However, the report also noted that Gurugram's ranking has improved slightly compared to last year.

Double Challenge of Mumbai and Pune

Mumbai and Pune offer excellent career opportunities, but high living costs, traffic, and infrastructure challenges remain significant obstacles for women.

Growing Presence of Smaller Cities

A positive aspect of the report is the increased participation of Tier-2 cities. Cities like Shimla and Thiruvananthapuram were considered socially safe for women, although large-scale employment opportunities remain limited.

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South India Leads

South India emerged as the most inclusive region for women in the regional analysis. Western India follows closely behind. North and East India—particularly Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha—lagged behind in both safety and industrial participation.

Top 10 Women-Friendly Cities for 2025

Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Gurugram, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, and Coimbatore.

This report clearly indicates that the list of safe and women-friendly cities is changing, but North and East India still have a long way to go.

Location : 
  • New Delhi

Published : 
  • 8 January 2026, 11:04 AM IST

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