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Breaking the code: The rise of women in India’s STEM landscape
As more women in India pursue STEM careers, several programs aim to boost gender diversity in education and workforce.
In brief
- Women in India have advanced in STEM fields, in part due to progressive policies and industry interventions.
- Systemic challenges continue to affect higher numbers in the workforce, especially in leadership positions.
- There is a need for multifaceted efforts to bridge the gender gap.
India’s progress in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) has been remarkable, yet the journey for women in STEM in India has been one of perseverance and transformation. From the early pioneers like botanist V.K. Janaki Ammal and Asima Chatterjee, who specialized in organic Chemistry, to modern leaders such as Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon, and Dr. Tessy Thomas, who has led many missile projects, women leaders in STEM have pushed boundaries to make their mark.
This report examines the history, current status, and future scenario of women in STEM careers in India, shedding light on key challenges, policy interventions, and industry initiatives.
India has outpaced many developed countries in terms of gender equality in STEM education. Yet, a stark disparity remains at the workforce level, where the number of women in STEM careers declines significantly in senior roles.
Women in the STEM workforce: Progress and gaps
While India boasts the highest percentage of female representation in STEM, women face two step challenges: the transition from academia into the workforce and the steep decline in representation at senior-level positions.
The gender diversity in STEM gap stems from multiple factors: unconscious bias and workplace culture, where women in STEM face unequal pay and limited leadership opportunities; work-life balance pressures, lack of mentorship and networking, and restricted access to crucial career progression support.
Overall, India’s labor force participation rate for women has increased from 32.8% in 2021-22 to 41.7% in 2023-24 (Periodic Labour Force Survey). The level is higher in STEM sectors. According to 2024 LinkedIn dataset, women represented 41.2% of the overall workforce (included in Global Gender Gap Report 2025), with sectors such as Retail/E-commerce, Healthcare, Pharma, and IT, leading the way in hiring STEM-qualified women, pointing to a positive momentum toward bridging gender disparities in these industries (report by NTT Data).
Despite these improvements, the underrepresentation of women leaders in STEM remains an area of concern.
Government and corporate interventions
To bridge this gap, the government has launched several initiatives such as the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme, and the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) which have contributed significantly in improving access to education for women.
Companies are now actively working to improve female representation. Some of the noteworthy initiatives include EY Foundation’s DISHA scholarship, where around 65% of the scholarships have gone to girl students. The gamified learning EY STEM app has impacted girl students across 450-plus schools in India.
Many of the corporate-led initiatives focus on developing inclusive educational policies to encourage girls to explore STEM fields, providing resources offering career support and mentorship programs, helping women navigate challenges in STEM careers and achieve professional goals.
Addressing gender diversity in STEM can unlock immense potential for innovation and economic growth for the country. Fostering an inclusive environment, encouraging mentorship, and challenging societal stereotypes is expected to significantly enhance the share of women in STEM careers in India. Continued efforts in policymaking, corporate leadership, and societal transformation can shape the future of STEM careers for women. Dive into our report to explore more insights and discover our exclusive toolkit designed to empower women in STEM.
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Summary
As more women join STEM sectors in India, it highlights the transformative policies and societal shifts that have begun to reshape the landscape. However, there are several obstacles, represented by the low number of women in leadership roles in STEM. A continued, concerted push is needed to promote inclusive practices and support systems that will empower women to excel and lead in STEM, fueling innovation and progress.