Purpose : The present study aimed to identify the determinants influencing occupational shifts among informal female workers in Assam. Motivated by the growing mismatch between traditional livelihoods and women’s evolving aspirations, the study investigated both the direction of occupational changes and the underlying socio-economic factors driving these transitions.

Methodology : The study utilized primary data collected from 400 informal female workers in Barpeta District between October 2022 and March 2023. A structured interview schedule was administered, and responses were analyzed using chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, and multinomial logistic regression models. Variables such as age, working hours, family responsibility, religion, income level, and workplace benefits (e.g., PF and bonus) were examined for their influence on occupational shift patterns. Future tendencies and satisfaction levels were also explored.

Findings : The analysis revealed that bonus provision, place of residence, religious affiliation, and sole family responsibility significantly influenced women's shift from traditional to non-traditional occupations. While many workers were satisfied with their current occupations, a large proportion did not wish for their children to follow the same paths, indicating intergenerational aspirations for better livelihood options.

Practical Implications : The study recommended that policymakers and training institutions enhance access to skill development, social protection schemes, and job diversification. Addressing gender-sensitive employment preferences could support women’s transitions into more secure, fulfilling roles.

Originality/Value : This study contributed a multi-path occupational mobility framework using primary grassroots data, extending beyond generalized labor force trends and offering new insights into aspirational shifts among informal female workers in rural India.

1. Agarwal, A. (2014). Growth and structural transformation of the workforce: Are we heading in the right direction? Arthshastra Indian Journal of Economics & Research, 3(5), 43–55. https://doi.org/10.17010/aijer/2014/v3i5/55994
2. Chatterjee, U., Murgai, R., & Rama, M. G. (2015). Job opportunities along the rural-urban gradation and female labor force participation in India (Policy Research Working Paper No. 7412). World Bank Group. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/732961468189870923
3. Das, D. (2020). A study on occupational change of Kaivartas in Majuli. Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, 12(12), 225–231.
4. Directorate of Census Operations, Assam. (2011). Census of India 2011 - Assam - series 19 - Part XII A - District census handbook, Barpeta. Government of India. https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/196
5. Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Assam. (2019). Statistical Handbook of Assam 2019. Government of Assam. https://des.assam.gov.in/sites/default/files/swf_utility_folder/departments/ecostat_medhassu_in_oid_3/menu/document/statistical_hand_book_assam_-_2019_0.pdf
6. Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship. (2019). Unlocking entrepreneurship opportunities for women in urban India. https://massentrepreneurship.org/
7. Goswami, C., & Bhattacharya, M. (2014). Rural non farm employment in Assam: Trends and issues. Space and Culture, India, 2(1), 14–23. https://doi.org/10.20896/saci.v2i1.38
8. Huws, U. (2012). The reproduction of difference: Gender and the global division of labour. Work Organisation, Labour & Globalisation, 6(10), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.13169/workorgalaboglob.6.1.0001
9. Khan, M. (2018). Determinants of Muslim female participation in the labour force. Arthshastra Indian Journal of Economics & Research, 7(5), 35–46. https://doi.org/10.17010/aijer/2018/v7i5/139926
10. Kumar, A., & Meher, S. (2018). Trends of occupational pattern in India: An analysis NSSO. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences, 8(1), 463–476. https://www.ijmra.us/project%20doc/2018/IJRSS_JANUARY2018/IJMRA-13135.pdf
11. Kumari, S., & Sharma, A. (2023). Occupational pattern of rural women. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, 11(10), 750–757. https://www.ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2310533.pdf
12. Medhi, B., Mispun, B. S., & Saikia, S. (2012). Changing trend of occupation among the Brass Artisan Moria community of Brahmaputra Valley, with special reference to Kamrup District. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 5(5), 26–30. https://doi.org/10.9790/0837-0552630
13. Mishra, R. (2017). Migration from agricultural land in Barpeta to waste-land in Lucknow: A struggle for livelihood. Journal of North East India Studies, 7(2), 33–45. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12783173
14. Parvathy, P., & Kavitha, A. C. (2023). Influence of individual and household characteristics in unpaid work of women: An exposition of the case of Malayali women. Arthshastra Indian Journal of Economics & Research, 12(4), 52–64. https://doi.org/10.17010/aijer/2023/v12i4/173306
15. Price, V. (2016). Women in non-traditional work fields. In N. A. Naples, R. C. Hoogland, M. Wickramasinghe, & W. C. Wong (eds.), The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of gender and sexuality studies. John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118663219.wbegss546
16. Roy, M. (2014). Self-employment of women: A study in Barpeta district of Assam (Doctoral dissertation, Gauhati University). Shodhganga. http://hdl.handle.net/10603/36042
17. Saikia, K. K., & Goswami, C. (2013). Rural labour market in Assam: Trends and status of employment. Arthshastra Indian Journal of Economics & Research, 2(2), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.17010/aijer/2013/v2i2/54510
18. Sanghi, S., Srija, A. & Vijay, S. S. (2015). Decline in rural female labour force participation in India: A relook into the cases. Vikalpa, 40(3), 255–268. https://doi.org/10.1177/0256090915598264
19. Sharma, N., & Mohan, H. (2014). Nature, extent, and pattern of rural non-farm employment in India. Arthshastra Indian Journal of Economics & Research, 3(3), 7–18. https://doi.org/10.17010/aijer/2014/v3i3/55979
20. Tejada, J. J., & Punzalan, J. R. (2012). On the misuse of Slovin's formula. The Philippine Statistician, 61(1), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.12691/education-6-2-6