India’s job market is undergoing a significant transformation, with employment opportunities for women witnessing a remarkable 48% surge in 2025 compared to the previous year. This growth is fueled by increasing demand in key sectors such as information technology (IT), banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), manufacturing, and healthcare. Additionally, the need for specialised talent in emerging technology roles is further driving women’s participation in the workforce.
Freshers in High Demand
A significant share of the job growth for women is directed towards freshers, highlighting a shift in hiring trends. According to a report by foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), approximately 25% of the jobs available to women in 2025 are for early-career professionals, particularly in IT, human resources (HR), and marketing. The largest share of opportunities falls within the 0-3 years of experience category (53%), followed by those with 4-6 years of experience (32%).
Key Industries Driving Employment Growth
The IT and software sector remains the dominant employer for women, accounting for 34% of all job opportunities. Other thriving industries include recruitment/staffing/RPO, BFSI, and advertising/PR/events, all of which are experiencing steady growth in female employment. Engineering and production roles are also seeing increased participation, growing from 6% to 8% in the past year, indicating a broadening scope of career choices for women in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Shifts in Workplace Dynamics
One notable change in employer priorities is the increasing shift towards work-from-office arrangements, which have risen by 55%. While flexible work remains an essential aspect of workplace inclusivity, the rise in office-based roles suggests evolving employer preferences post-pandemic. Despite ongoing challenges such as salary parity and work-mode flexibility, the overall outlook for women’s workforce participation remains highly encouraging.
Growth in Emerging Technologies
The demand for specialised talent in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data science, and cloud computing is contributing to the increasing presence of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The report highlights that women now constitute 44% of STEM graduates in India, indicating a promising pipeline of female professionals in these high-growth domains.
Geographical Expansion of Women’s Employment
Women’s employment is also spreading beyond Tier-1 cities, with more job opportunities emerging in Tier-2 and Tier-3 locations. The share of women’s jobs in cities like Nashik, Surat, Coimbatore, and Jaipur has risen to 41%, while 59% of opportunities remain concentrated in metropolitan areas. This trend signifies broader workforce inclusivity and the decentralisation of job opportunities.
Salary Trends
The salary distribution for women’s jobs remains predominantly within the 0-10 lakh annual salary range, encompassing 81% of female employees. Additionally, 11% earn salaries between 11-25 lakh, while 8% secure earnings above 25 lakh per annum. This distribution underscores the need for continued efforts towards salary parity and professional growth opportunities for women in higher-income brackets.
The Indian job market is evolving, creating new and inclusive opportunities for women across industries. The increased demand for freshers, the rise in STEM participation, and the expansion of job markets into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities indicate a positive shift towards gender diversity in employment. While challenges like salary parity and work-mode preferences persist, the overall trend signals a more progressive and dynamic job landscape for women in India.
(With inputs from agencies)
