Despite progress in workplace diversity, women in tech sector continue to face significant pay disparities and career advancement challenges, according to the ANSR-Talent500 Women in Tech Report 2025. The report reveals that 52% of women in technology report experiencing pay gaps, with a notable increase in the number of women citing unfair compensation compared to the previous year.
The findings are based on a survey of 3,000 women employed in IT, global capability centres (GCCs), and emerging tech sectors. The study assesses workplace experiences, diversity efforts, and career growth opportunities. While there has been a marked shift in gender representation, challenges such as the glass ceiling, pay inequity, and limited mentorship continue to hinder progress.
Approximately 80% of respondents were from key tech hubs such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and the National Capital Region (NCR). The workforce distribution among the surveyed women included 41% in IT/ITES, 19% in GCCs, 8% in startups, and 17% in product companies. In terms of experience, nearly 48% had less than five years in the industry, 29% had six to ten years, and 11% had over 15 years.
However, tech companies have improved gender representation, with women now making up nearly 42% of their workforce — an increase from single-digit figures in previous years. Around 60% of women acknowledge that diversity initiatives are gaining momentum; however, 40% believe these efforts remain largely symbolic or ineffective.
The report highlights that 70% of women still perceive career growth opportunities as limited due to persistent structural barriers. Pay gaps remain a critical concern, with an estimated 15-20% salary difference between men and women in the same roles within tech companies and GCCs. While some companies have taken steps to bridge the gender pay gap, disparities persist due to occupational segregation, unconscious bias in performance evaluations, and inequitable promotion decisions.
Women in the tech industry have clear expectations from employers, prioritising flexibility, equitable pay, and personalised benefits. The survey indicates that 76.9% of respondents value workplace flexibility, 74.1% seek career growth opportunities, 58% emphasise the importance of female leadership, and 51.1% consider strong employer branding a deciding factor in job selection.