Women in IT/ITeS Contractual Roles, FY26

Prelims: Current events of national importance | Economy

Why in News?

Recently a report highlighted that women’s placements in contractual/flexible roles reached 40% in FY26.

Key Facts –

Women in IT/ITeS – Trends in Contractual/Flexi Roles
Placement Share (FY26)	40% (FY26) – up from 30% (FY22).
Top Roles	Finance & Accounting (43%), Data Science (34%), UX, Design & Architecture – 31%
Metro Hubs	Bengaluru (21%), Hyderabad (20%), Pune (17%) Delhi NCR – 13%, Chennai – 9%
Tier‑II Cities	11% participation

Tier 2 cities are emerging urban centres that rank just below major metropolitan hubs (Tier 1).

Career Span Data

Early Career (<2 years) – 30%
- Fresh graduates and entry‑level professionals form a large share.
- Indicates strong inflow of women into IT/ITeS flexi roles.
Mid-Career (5–8 years) – 31%
- Peak participation, showing women consolidating skills and experience.
- Reflects stability and growth in professional engagement.
Senior Career (9–14 years) – 13%
- Noticeable drop, pointing to challenges in retention and career progression.
- Possible factors: work–life balance, lack of mentorship, glass ceiling effects.
Leadership/Advanced (>14 years) – 4%
- Very low representation at top levels.
- Highlights systemic gaps in advancement and leadership opportunities.

Reference

Business Standard | Women's Employment