Breaking the silence: Unpaid care work and the quest for economic dignity in India

This study examines the magnitude, gendered dimensions, and socio-economic consequences of unpaid care work in India, investigating its implications for women's economic dignity, labour-force participation, and financial inclusion. Drawing on secondary data from the Time Use Survey (TUS) 2019, Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2022-2024, National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21, and recent policy documents and academic studies from 2022-2026, the research employs a mixed-methods analytical framework combining quantitative analysis of time-use patterns with qualitative synthesis of policy discourse and lived experience narratives. The analysis reveals that Indian women spend an average of 299 minutes daily on unpaid domestic and care work compared to 97 minutes for men-a ratio of 3.08:1 that ranks among the highest globally. This 'care burden' creates severe time poverty, constraining women's capabilities across multiple dimensions including education, employment, health, and civic participation. The study documents how unpaid care responsibilities constitute the primary barrier to women's labour-force participation, contributing to India's declining female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) which fell to 32.8% in 2022-23 despite economic growth. Furthermore, the research identifies how care responsibilities create cascading barriers to financial inclusion, with women caregivers exhibiting 23% lower bank account usage and 67% lower digital financial literacy compared to men. The study critically examines existing policy frameworks, identifying significant gaps in recognizing, reducing, and redistributing care work. Drawing on international best practices and emerging Indian initiatives, the research proposes pathways toward economic dignity for caregivers including universal care infrastructure, caregiver allowances, flexible work arrangements, and comprehensive social protection coverage. The findings contribute to ongoing policy debates on gender-responsive budgeting, care economy investments, and the recognition of unpaid work in national accounting systems, offering evidence-based recommendations for structural transformation toward a care-inclusive development paradigm.