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Kärcher India names Puneet Sharma as managing director
New Delhi: Kärcher India has tapped Puneet Sharma as managing director of Kärcher India, handing the India reins to a three-decade industry veteran as the cleaning-technology group sharpens its growth push in one of its most promising markets.
The appointment, effective January 21st 2026, puts a seasoned operator known for tight execution and P&L discipline at the helm of Kärcher India.
Sharma brings more than 30 years’ leadership experience across commercial, manufacturing and engineering-led businesses. His résumé spans managing director, ceo and board roles at Konecranes & Demag, Kohler Group, Greaves Cotton and Cummins India, where he helped drive growth, fortify operations and build scalable platforms.
An engineer by training, Sharma holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Delhi College of Engineering and an MBA from Indiana University in the United States. Colleagues describe a leader with strategic bite, a people-first style and a bias for execution — traits Kärcher is counting on as competition and demand both intensify in India’s hygiene and cleaning market.
“I am happy to join Kärcher India at a time when our impact aligns perfectly with the national vision of Swachh Bharat,” Sharma said. “Kärcher’s commitment to innovation and quality strongly resonates with the need for advanced hygiene solutions in our communities. I look forward to working closely with the team to build scalable, future-ready capabilities that not only strengthen our leadership but actively contribute to the Clean India movement across both professional and consumer segments.”
Prashanth Srirangam, director at Kärcher India, framed the hire as a growth catalyst. “We are delighted to welcome Puneet Sharma to Kärcher India. His extensive industry experience, proven leadership capabilities and strong strategic vision will play a pivotal role in accelerating our growth trajectory and further strengthening our market leadership in India,” he said.
For Kärcher, the bet is clear: pair German engineering pedigree with local leadership muscle and sprint after India’s rising demand for professional and consumer cleaning solutions. With Sharma now at the controls, the company signals it is not just cleaning up — it is gearing up.
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33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
