Context: A Growing Disparity in STEM Careers

On World Youth Skills Day 2025, India confronts a paradox: although 43% of STEM graduates are women—the highest globally—only 27% are employed in STEM roles.
While female labour force participation has improved to 41.7% (PLFS 2023–24), rural women remain more active due to limited formal job opportunities in urban areas.
Globally, women make up just 31.5% of researchers (UNESCO, 2021), underlining the global education-to-employment gap for women in science and technology.

Bridging this divide isn’t just a matter of equity—it’s an economic imperative. McKinsey estimates that closing the gender gap could add $700 billion to India’s GDP by 2025. The World Bank notes that raising female labour participation to 50% could contribute an additional 1% GDP growth annually.

Government Action: Skilling, Empowerment, and Policy Support

STEM Skilling Through NEP and ITI Revamps

• The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes integrating STEM education with skills training and life skills, improving access and retention.
• The Ministry of Education is enhancing Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), particularly in rural regions, to make technical education more inclusive and accessible.

Viksit Bharat and Gender-Focused Budgeting

• The Viksit Bharat vision positions women’s participation as critical to inclusive national growth.
• Reflecting this, the gender budget allocation rose from 6.8% (2024–25) to 8.8% (2025–26), with ₹4.49 lakh crore dedicated to gender-centric programmes.

Union Budget 2025–26 Highlights

• Introduction of term loans for women entrepreneurs
• Establishment of new National Skill Training Institutes
• Expanded investment in technology-led vocational training

These steps complement flagship initiatives like Skill India, Digital India, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and PM Vishwakarma Yojana, all aimed at empowering women through education, skills, and enterprise.

The Role of Industry: From Passive Employer to Active Enabler

Why Policy Alone Isn’t Enough

Despite robust government initiatives, industry engagement is critical to translating education into employment.
The transition from classroom to career hinges on more than just skills—it requires mentorship, inclusive workplaces, and reskilling support.

Cultural and Social Barriers

• Deep-rooted stereotypes label technical fields as "masculine", deterring women from pursuing or sustaining STEM careers.
• World Bank and UNESCO reports highlight that women''s dropout from STEM is not ability-related, but often due to:
• Unwelcoming work environments
• Gendered expectations at home
• Lack of family or institutional support

Tackling Workplace and Social Challenges

For women to thrive in STEM, structural and cultural challenges must be addressed:

• Workplace safety and harassment protection
• Equal pay and transparent promotion pathways
• Support for life events such as marriage, maternity, or caregiving breaks
• Community engagement to reshape traditional mindsets about women’s roles in technology and leadership

Promising Private Sector Models

Private Sector Initiatives Gaining Ground

• Companies are partnering with educational institutions to offer mentorship, internships, and hands-on training.
• A leading example is UN Women’s WeSTEM programme (with Micron Foundation, Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat governments), which:
• Trains women in STEM skills
• Promotes workplace inclusivity and safety
• Engages families and showcases female role models

This integrated approach underscores that skilling alone is not enough—social support and workplace change are essential.

Towards an Industry-Led Blueprint for Change

To bridge the education-to-employment divide, industry must lead by:

• Building structured mentorship programmes connecting students and professionals
• Collaborating with educational institutions to align curricula with market needs
• Implementing inclusive workplace policies that accommodate career breaks, caregiving, and safety
• Promoting diverse leadership and recognising women''s contributions in innovation and R&D

Conclusion: Investing in Women is Investing in India’s Future

The central question is not whether India can afford to invest in women’s STEM careers—it’s whether industry can afford not to.

Enabling women with skills, support, and opportunities isn’t just a social good—it’s an economic strategy.

When women earn, they uplift families, transform industries, and shape policies. Their empowerment is essential to building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready India.