India's technology and engineering workforce is expanding, yet a significant gender gap persists in specialised IT and tech roles. Women account for 35-38% of overall IT professionals, but there remains a 20-25% shortfall in job-ready women for niche technical skills.

This is a key finding by TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship and GAN Global, which highlights that rising female workforce participation has not translated into stronger representation in high-skill technical roles.

Employable numbers are projected to reach 2.01 million by 2027, while demand could rise to 3.82 million roles, pushing the talent shortfall beyond 1.8 million.

Skill gap remain high across emerging technologies, with women facing challenges in several high-growth areas. These include advanced coding, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, as well as technical fields like manufacturing automation, EV maintenance, and telecom infrastructure. This gap highlights the need for more focused upskilling and training to improve participation in these roles.

Core engineering and manufacturing sectors continue to report both low participation from women and high skill gaps.

Apprenticeships are emerging as a strong pathway to employability and a direct solution to bridge skill gaps. By combining earning, structured training, and workplace exposure, they are enabling women to transition into jobs, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where access and mobility remain constraints. Support systems like safe transport, flexible schedules, and accommodation continue to be key enablers.