EY India released its report, ‘Breaking the code: The rise of women in India’s STEM landscape’, which highlights a steady increase in women’s participation across India’s STEM ecosystem. The findings point to a pivotal moment for the country, where the gains made through expanded access, education, and upskilling must now translate into sustained, long-term workforce participation for women in STEM.
Mr. Aashish Kasad, Partner and India Region Diversity & Inclusiveness Business Sponsor, EY India said, “Our analysis shows that while enrolment and graduation numbers are encouraging, the same are not translating into a similar ratio of women in STEM in the organised workforce. Hence, the next phase of India’s STEM focus should be on enabling women to convert these STEM qualifications into long-term, leadership-oriented careers. As companies ramp up diversity and inclusivity measures, and invest in upskilling, a coordinated ecosystem effort can unlock a far larger pool of female STEM talent for India’s GDP growth.”
Upskilling and AI-driven roles are reshaping opportunity
Generative AI and technology-enabled skilling are emerging as significant catalysts for expanding women’s participation in STEM careers in India. STEM-related upskilling has witnessed rapid adoption among women, supported by increased digital access, flexible learning pathways, and rising demand for future-focused skills. Women’s participation in STEM upskilling increased from 22% in 2018–19 to 33% in 2023, reflecting a sustained shift in career aspirations and preparedness for high-growth technology roles. This momentum has been further accelerated by the rise of generative AI, with GenAI course enrolments surging 195% year-on-year in 2025.
Meanwhile, companies are also signalling a positive trend. 62% of employers reported hiring more women in STEM roles in fiscal year 23-2024.
Sector representation
Despite strong graduation rates and growing enthusiasm for technical upskilling, women remain under-represented across several STEM-intensive sectors. In technology and IT, women account for 36% of STEM jobs, demonstrating comparatively stronger representation but still below parity. Representation drops significantly in heavy manufacturing and engineering, where women make up only 3% of the STEM workforce.
In India’s rapidly expanding electric mobility space, women hold approximately 13% of roles in the EV/automotive sector. At a macro level, national employment patterns also shape STEM outcomes. India’s labour force participation rate for women rose to 41.7% in 2023–24.
Strategic priorities for advancing women in STEM
In 2020, the World Economic Forum highlighted a looming shortage of over 85 million skilled workers by 2030. EY report “Breaking the code: The rise of women in India’s STEM landscape” recommends that addressing this gap is critical, and tapping into the untapped potential of the skilled female labour force is essential for driving economic productivity, innovation, and social mobility worldwide.
To fully harness the potential of women in STEM, the report calls for a comprehensive approach that expands inclusive education, strengthens mentorship and career support, and highlights women’s achievements to inspire future talent. It emphasises the importance of coordinated efforts across government, academia and industry, along with tackling unconscious bias and building robust support systems to create a more inclusive and innovative STEM ecosystem.
The Breaking the code: The rise of women in India’s STEM landscape report further recommends strengthening the education-to-employment bridge through internships, apprenticeships and structured industry exposure, supported by inclusive workplace systems such as flexible work models, returnships and unbiased advancement pathways. It also calls for sustained investment in upskilling, particularly in AI-driven capabilities, and greater visibility for women leaders in STEM to build aspiration, mentorship and long-term career progression.
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