Mumbai, March, 2026.

DSP Mutual Fund, in partnership with YouGov, today released the DSP Winvestor Pulse 2025–26, a nationwide study of 5,050 urban investors across 13 cities, revealing a decisive shift in India’s investment landscape. Women are increasingly taking charge of their financial decisions, even as a widening gap emerges between investor confidence and structured financial planning.

A majority of women (56%) now say they take investment decisions independently, up sharply from 44% in 2022, the most significant movement recorded in the study. While men continue to lead at 68%, the acceleration among women signals structural change rather than incremental participation.

Independence, however, does not mean disengagement from advice. Women are more likely now to blend autonomy with consultation. Nearly one in four women (24% in 2025 vs 17% in 2022) say they take completely independent decisions in consultation with a professional advisor.

Encouragement from spouses has also emerged as an important enabler, with women significantly more likely to cite their partner as an influence in their investing journey. At the same time, the proportion of women who describe themselves as self-taught investors has risen from 13% to 16%, reflecting growing financial confidence and self-learning.

Yet the study reveals a striking paradox. While 84% of investors across genders say they feel confident making their own investment decisions, only 33% report having both a clear financial goal and a structured plan to achieve it. Nearly half define “long-term investing” as three years or less, and only 28% clearly associate long term with five years or more.Return expectations further illustrate this behavioural gap. Thirty percent say beating inflation is sufficient, 22% aim to outperform markets, and 21% benchmark their returns against friends or peers. The findings suggest that while empowerment and access have improved, disciplined planning and time horizon clarity remain areas of opportunity.

The emotional meaning of money itself appears to be evolving. The association of money with “freedom” has risen from 27% in 2022 to 35% in 2025, while links to “survival” and “necessity” have declined. Nearly 48% now say they invest primarily to achieve financial independence and security, up from 44% in 2022. Among women, associations between money and safety as well as aspirational consumption have strengthened, reflecting a broader reframing of financial agency.

Aspirations are also shifting beyond traditional asset ownership. While improving standard of living and saving for retirement remain top financial goals, lifestyle preferences are broadening. Forty-one percent of women - particularly in the 25–44 age group -prioritise travel over buying a home. Mentions of buying a home as a top dream have declined from 36% in 2022 to 28% in 2025, while discretionary spending on holidays has increased across genders. Fewer respondents now report having no spare cash, indicating improved financial participation and liquidity.

Trust in professional advice remains high among users. Nearly 94% of those who consult financial advisors report satisfaction. However, most investors still do not use advisors. Among non-users, 39% cite discomfort in sharing financial information, 35% believe alternative information sources are sufficient, and 32% say they find it difficult to take external advice. The barriers appear rooted less in dissatisfaction and more in privacy concerns and perceived value.

More than 62% of mutual fund investors say they would continue investing even if markets fall, signalling growing resilience. Men are more likely to increase allocations in falling markets (15% versus 10% of women), while women show relatively higher participation in debt mutual funds and ETFs, reflecting differentiated but maturing risk preferences.

Intergenerational dynamics add further nuance. Fifty-eight percent report having received some form of inheritance. Notably, 45% of women express strong confidence in leaving a financial legacy, compared with 41% of men. While many parents continue to differentiate investment advice between sons and daughters, the gap has narrowed since 2022, pointing toward gradual shifts in financial socialisation.

Digital engagement continues to deepen, especially among women. Among investors in stocks or mutual funds, women are significantly more likely than men to actively share or comment on stock-related content on social media. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence in investing evokes cautious interest. Data privacy is the top concern for 46% of respondents, while proven performance, algorithmic transparency and regulatory approval are seen as key drivers of trust.

Commenting on the findings, Aditi Kothari Desai, Chairperson, DSP Mutual Fund, said: “Over the years, we have seen Indian women move from participation to ownership in their financial journeys. What stands out in this edition of Winvestor Pulse is not just the rise in independent decision-making, but the rise in informed independence. Women are seeking knowledge, engaging with markets, consulting advisors and shaping aspirations on their own terms. For us at DSP, this reinforces the importance of building an ecosystem rooted in trust, transparency and long-term partnership.”

Kalpen Parekh, MD & CEO, Mutual Fund, added:“Every three years, the Winvestor Pulse survey serves as a mirror- helping us track progress and spark deeper conversations across the community of wealth managers and investors about empowering women to take charge of their financial decisions. The message is simple: when women invest with confidence, families become more secure and long-term outcomes improve. Financial independence is not optional – it is foundational to dignity, resilience and wealth creation.

This is not a women only agenda. Husbands, fathers and brothers have an equal role to play in encouraging and enabling the women in their lives to learns, participate and make independent investment decisions. Real empowerment is a shared responsibility.

At DSP, we believe awareness must translate into action. Alongside our authentic investing campaigns ’NoMore’ and ‘I Will Not Stop’, we have also released three emotional films on our YouTube channel that highlight why it is so powerful when women take charge of money.”

The DSP Winvestor Pulse 2025–26 highlights an investor base that is more confident, digitally engaged and aspirational than before, with women at the forefront of this transformation. The opportunity ahead lies not just in expanding participation, but in strengthening long-term behaviour, trust and financial clarity across India’s growing investor community.