The ANSR Women in Tech Report is more than a status check; it is a mirror held up to the systemic gaps that still persist in India’s tech ecosystem. With data from over 3,000 women professionals, the report captures what progress looks like and what still holds women back.
The ANSR Women in Tech Report 2025, developed in collaboration with Talent500, shows that unequal pay, lack of mentorship, and limited access to leadership roles continue to slow women’s progress in India’s technology sector. The 2025 edition of the report, Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: The Evolving Landscape for Women in Technology, is based on responses from over 3,000 women professionals working in IT/ITES, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), startups, and product-based companies across India.
The report shows that organisations across India have taken active steps to improve workplace diversity. Many women professionals say they feel more included today than in previous years. However, despite visible progress, many key challenges still hold women back.
Pay inequality and limited growth opportunities continue
The report reveals that 52% of women have noticed pay disparities in their workplaces, which is a significant concern. Additionally, there has been a 10% increase in the number of women reporting unfair pay compared to the previous year.
At the same time, about 70% of women ( 7 in 10 women in tech) say they do not see clear opportunities to move up in their careers. Many feel that reaching leadership positions remains difficult, even when they meet performance expectations and have the required skills.
ANSR Women in Tech Report: Mentorship gaps hold women back
In the 2025 ANSR Women in Tech Report, 58% of women said they don’t have access to strong mentorship at work. This is a sharp increase from 35% in the previous year, showing that the problem is getting worse. The lack of mentorship is especially visible in Global Capability Centres (GCCs), where companies aim to build leaders who can manage global and diverse teams. Despite these goals, the shortage of mentors is making it harder for women to grow into those leadership positions.
According to DDI’s “Women as Mentors: Does She or Doesn’t She?” report, a survey of 318 businesswomen across 19 countries and 30 industries revealed that 63% had never had a mentor. Without the right support and guidance, many women face stagnation in their career growth. To understand why mentorship still remains out of reach for many women and what factors contribute to this gap, read our full breakdown on why mentorship continues to fall short for women in the workplace.
Women’s rising confidence in AI, but face AI literacy gap
One positive development is the growing interest among women in emerging technologies. The report notes a rise in confidence among women professionals in using AI tools and platforms. Around 66% of women now feel equipped to use AI in their roles, compared to less than 40% last year.
While confidence in AI has significantly increased, a gap in AI literacy still exists. As noted in our previous article, the Coursera report revealed that women make up only 29.6% of Gen-AI course enrollments in India. As AI expertise becomes a requirement for many entry-level tech roles, women entering the industry or returning after a career break will face challenges if they haven’t gained Gen-AI upskilling.
DEI progress is being made, but challenges remain for women
Diversity initiatives in Indian tech companies have made noticeable progress over the past year. In 2024, 70% of women felt that diversity initiatives in their organisations were just symbolic or moving too slowly. However, this number has dropped significantly to 40% in 2025. Additionally, nearly 75% of respondents report that their workplace provides a safe and inclusive environment.
Speaking on the report’s findings, Smitha Hemmigae, Head of Marketing at ANSR, said: “Diversity should not be a metric but a horizontal priority embedded across an organisation’s DNA. True progress happens when inclusivity extends beyond hiring—into policies, leadership development, boardroom discussions, and governance. Our survey shows promise year on year, but to drive lasting change, diversity must be an integral part of how businesses operate, not just an initiative.”
While it’s good to see that more women feel their companies are making progress with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), there are still major issues to address. Pay gaps and the lack of mentorship continue to hold women back in their careers. As the ANSR report shows, while workplaces are getting better at being inclusive, these deeper challenges need to be addressed.
The final thoughts on the ANSR Women in Tech Report 2025
The ANSR Women in Tech Report 2025 reveals a mixed picture of progress and persistent challenges for women in India’s tech industry. On one hand, diversity efforts have improved, and women’s confidence in AI skills has also grown. On the other hand, more than half of the women surveyed report experiencing pay disparities, and there is a sharp rise in women lacking mentorship.
The report clearly shows what needs to improve to make workplaces fairer and more inclusive for women in tech. If companies genuinely want to support women in tech, they need to invest in mentorship, fair pay, and better leadership opportunities.
At Changeincontent, we believe data is only powerful when it leads to action. We hope this report sparks reflection and, more importantly, reform.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content. We broadly define inclusivity as media, policies, law, and history, encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and marginalised individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
