Recently, through the implementation of a series of incentive measures, several branches of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) have seen a notable increase in female enrollment, particularly in business programs. This trend is expected to pave the way for more women to assume mid-to-senior management roles in companies across India and globally.
In recent years, the proportion of female students in Indian higher education institutions has steadily increased, demonstrating the success of these policies. However, data from surveys on India’s labor force participation, career advancement opportunities, and entrepreneurship in small and medium-sized enterprises reveal that women still face significant challenges when entering the workforce.
Business Schools Focus More on Female Enrollment
The Indian Institutes of Management are the premier business schools in India, with branches in 21 cities nationwide. Among these, six branches, including those in Ahmedabad and Indore, are considered the “first-generation” IIMs. These schools have historically had low female enrollment rates. At the renowned Ahmedabad branch, the percentage of female students was only 23% and 25% in the past two years. At the Indore branch, the proportion of female students dropped from 34% in 2021 to 27% by 2024.
However, with the rapid expansion of IIMs, “second-generation” branches have significantly increased female enrollment through various incentive policies. For example, at the Sambalpur branch, policies such as a 5% score reduction for female applicants have resulted in women comprising 76% of the 2024 intake. Similarly, at the Rohtak branch, special student loans for outstanding female applicants have pushed the female enrollment rate to 73% in 2024.
The focus on promoting female enrollment is also being recognized by “first-generation” IIMs. For instance, the Indore branch has introduced scholarships for female students to address the declining enrollment trend. The school’s director, in an interview with the Indian Express, stated that they will continue to focus on increasing female enrollment and improving incentive policies.
Female Enrollment Continues to Rise
According to the All India Survey on Higher Education, released by India’s Ministry of Education in January 2024, female enrollment in higher education reached a record 20.7 million in 2021-2022, accounting for 48% of all students, nearly equal to male enrollment. In STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, women made up 40%, a percentage that is among the highest globally. However, within STEM, women predominantly study mathematics and science, with 58% representation, while their participation in engineering and technology, fields more aligned with societal job demands, remains low at just 29%.
The report indicates that female enrollment in Indian higher education has grown by 19% over the past five years, outpacing male enrollment growth. At the undergraduate level, women account for nearly 60% of students in education and medical courses, significantly higher than male students. In graduate programs, women outnumber men in most fields, and at the doctoral level, female enrollment has doubled in the past decade, now nearly on par with male enrollment.
In an interview with the Hindustan Times, the Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Kumar, stated that the survey data reflects a paradigm shift in access to higher education for women in India. He highlighted inclusive and facilitative measures such as special scholarships for women and on-campus housing as key factors empowering women in the higher education system. Meanwhile, the founder of the NGO “Inspire India” noted that while female enrollment is rising, it remains to be seen whether they can translate their higher education credentials into career opportunities and economic independence. The high enrollment rate of women in graduate programs may indicate that they face greater job search difficulties after completing their undergraduate degrees than men.
Women Face Persistent Challenges in the Workplace
Despite the gains in higher education, Indian women face more significant challenges as they transition into the workforce. The Times of India reported that even though many women graduate with honors, they often find that their fathers prefer them to “marry well” rather than pursue successful careers. As a result, many women marry and stay home after graduation, with only 17% of female graduates actually starting their careers. Furthermore, 70% to 80% of household responsibilities in India fall on women, forcing many working women to choose between family and career. Although they are highly educated and possess professional skills, the burden of childbirth and caregiving often prevents women from fully committing to their careers. Indra Nooyi, an Indian-American businesswoman who served as CEO of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018, once said that while managing a multinational company, she also had to fulfill her roles as a wife and mother. The Deccan Herald reported that Indian society and the workplace, unlike universities, still harbor both overt and covert biases against women, with skepticism about women’s leadership abilities and gender stereotypes being widespread.
Moreover, Indian women frequently become “trailing spouses,” moving from one city or even one country to another due to their husbands’ job changes. Additionally, caring for parents, in-laws, or other family members forces some women to leave the workforce. Ultimately, despite their impressive educational achievements and professional aspirations, many women resign within three years of starting their careers. In India, only 10% of highly educated and capable women engage in long-term careers. A workplace report jointly published by LinkedIn and the New Delhi-based public policy think tank “Quantum Center” revealed that from 2016 to 2022, the proportion of women in the Indian workforce grew from 23.9% to 27.3%, significantly lower than the increase in female enrollment in higher education. In 2024, this percentage even fell to 26.8%.
The report noted that women make up 28.7% of junior positions and 29.5% of senior technical positions, but only 18.3% of senior management roles. However, in some industries, such as consumer services, the proportion of women in senior management positions reached 37% in 2024, up from 30% in 2016, indicating that women’s advantages in these fields are gaining recognition. A government survey found that 20% of small and medium-sized enterprises in India are founded or run by women. Forbes India reported that this figure highlights the significant disadvantage women still face at the grassroots level. Empowering female entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized enterprises could significantly unleash India’s potential for social development. Currently, some NGOs are offering more entrepreneurship opportunities for women through initiatives such as preferential loans.
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