Mumbai, May 12 – India’s hardware engineering industry is witnessing a significant transformation with a 26 percent year-on-year rise in job applications by women in 2024, marking a promising shift in gender dynamics within a traditionally male-dominated field, according to a report by WorkIndia.
The report, compiled by the tech-enabled recruitment platform for blue and grey-collar talent, analysed 33.46 lakh job applications from 2023 and 2024. It highlighted that while applications by men for hardware engineering roles increased by 19 percent, the surge in women applicants underscores a broader movement towards gender diversity in core technical roles.
Symbolic Growth Beyond Numbers
“This growth isn't just statistical, it's symbolic,” said Nilesh Dungarwal, CEO and co-founder of WorkIndia. “The 26 percent growth in female participation in hardware engineering roles isn't just a number; it's a testament to the changing landscape of India's tech industry. As women break into core tech fields once dominated by men, we're seeing a shift that will define the future of engineering.”Key Industry Trends
The report also noted several complementary trends shaping the employment ecosystem:- Hardware Engineering Boom: Job postings in the hardware engineering segment grew by 26 percent, outpacing the 11 percent rise in overall tech listings.
- Tier-I City Dominance: Despite expanding participation in tier-III regions, tier-I cities remain the core hub for hardware engineering opportunities, with a 30 percent rise in job supply.
- Flexible Work Preferences: There has been a notable increase in part-time applications, reflecting evolving work preferences among job seekers.
A Pivotal Moment for Gender Diversity
The recent surge in female participation in hardware engineering roles is seen as a pivotal milestone. Once viewed as a male bastion, the sector is now slowly opening up to gender-balanced representation, setting the stage for inclusive innovation in India’s technology and engineering ecosystem.This trend, as captured in WorkIndia’s findings, signals a powerful narrative of empowerment and progress, with long-term implications for diversity, productivity, and the overall evolution of the country’s tech workforce.