The Untold Reality For Women In Government Jobs: Family, Pressure & Perseverance

At the Business Today Most Powerful Women Summit, Vandita Kaul, Secretary, Department of Posts, and Geeta Singh Rathore, DG, National Sample Survey, share why they believe there is no glass ceiling within government systems, even as societal expectations and family responsibilities continue to influence a woman’s career more than her workplace itself. They speak candidly about navigating marriage, motherhood, long commutes, and the guilt of missing out on moments with their children, while emphasising the vital role of supportive parents, spouses, in-laws, and colleagues in helping them remain in service. One officer recounts a moment when she nearly quit after months of exhausting travel and emotional strain, and how timely support persuaded her to stay. With more women than ever entering and rising in the civil services, this conversation highlights resilience, shifting family dynamics, and the evolving realities of balancing ambition with personal life.