Indian corporates lead the way in bringing mid- to-senior level women back to the workforce, 32-35% rise since 2023: Says Adecco India

Indian corporates lead the way in bringing mid- to-senior level women back to the workforce, 32-35% rise since 2023: Says Adecco India

Bangalore, 6th March 2026: As India advances towards its Viksit Bharat vision, organisations across the country are increasingly recognising that inclusive workforce participation will be central to sustaining long-term economic growth. In recent years, Indian corporates have emerged as strong champions of bringing mid- to senior-level women professionals back into the workforce, launching structured D&I, returnship and second-career programs that help experienced talent re-enter and continue their professional journeys. Post Covid-19, Adecco India has seen a 32% - 35% rise in hiring of women workforce as part of the D&I agenda and second innings.

This shift reflects a deeper understanding across industry that India cannot fully leverage its demographic advantage without retaining and reintegrating skilled women professionals especially in mid-senior level. While India produces a large pipeline of educated women, a significant portion exits the workforce during mid-career stages, often due to caregiving responsibilities. Corporate D&I and returnship programs are now emerging as an important bridge to bring this experienced talent back into the workforce and strengthen leadership pipelines across sectors.

Several sectors have emerged as early and emerging adopters of such initiatives. Technology and IT services, the largest and earliest adopters of D&I and returnship programs, have recorded a 41% rise in returnship hiring since 2023, largely aimed at bringing back women with 5–15 years of experience in engineering, data, product, and program management roles. This is followed by Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are also emerging as key drivers of second-career opportunities, reporting 39% growth as multinational companies expand diversity-focused hiring strategies across their India operations.

The BFSI sector, which pioneered returnships globally, has also expanded such initiatives in India, witnessing a 35% increase in hiring through returnship programs, particularly in roles spanning risk management, consulting, product management, operations, and client advisory. Other sectors are steadily following suit. Pharma, healthcare and life sciences have recorded 28% steady growth in returnship hiring, while consumer goods, retail and manufacturing have seen 24% growth.

Commenting on the same, Mr. Sunil Chemmankotil, Country Manager, Adecco India said, “Post-pandemic, demand for D&I-led talent strategies has risen by 32% -35%, as companies increasingly recognise that enabling women to restart their careers is not only about inclusion but also about recovering experienced talent at a stage where leadership pipelines often face gaps. Beyond traditionally dominant sectors such as IT and BFSI, organisations are increasingly exploring returnship mandates across industries, including manufacturing, automotive, fintech, and other emerging technology-led sectors. Major talent hubs such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, and Gurugram continue to offer the highest concentration of opportunities for returning professionals, driven by strong GCC and technology ecosystems. At the same time, Tier-2 cities such as Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, and Thiruvananthapuram are gradually expanding their focus on inclusive hiring and workplace diversity initiatives.”

Industry benchmarks suggest that structured return-to-work programs are gaining wider acceptance. Among organisations recognised as the “Best Companies for Women in India,” the number offering formal returnship initiatives has doubled since 2016.

At a broader level, India is also witnessing gradual improvement in women’s workforce participation. According to World Bank data, India has recorded the sharpest rise in female labour force participation among BRICS economies, with participation increasing by over 23 percentage points between 2015 and 2024. Data from the Ministry of Labour and Employment indicates that the female labour force participation rate has increased from 23% in 2017–18 to around 42% in 2023–24.

As India moves closer to its long-term economic ambitions, the growing focus among corporates on reintegrating mid-career women professionals signals an important shift in workforce strategy. By creating pathways for experienced women to return and advance in their careers, organisations are not only strengthening diversity but also unlocking a critical talent pool that will play a meaningful role in shaping India’s next phase of growth. The commentary is based on insights from over 100+ client base of Adecco India.

About Adecco India

Adecco India, an ultimate subsidiary of the Adecco Group AG, is a premier HR solutions provider in India and offers customised services to employers while extending flexible opportunities to job seekers. With expertise in temporary staffing, professional staffing, permanent recruitment, outsourcing services, career transition, customised training, and consulting, among other services. Adecco connects the right talents with rewarding opportunities while also helping businesses optimise their workforce solutions. The organisation is committed to diversity and inclusion, and views these values not only as integral to the business model but also as a societal responsibility. Currently, the Adecco India team comprises over 900 employees across multiple offices nationwide, serving over ~40,000 associates placed with their business clients in India.

About the Adecco Group

The Adecco Group is the world’s leading talent and technology expertise company. Our purpose is making the future work for everyone. Through our thre global business units - Adecco, Akkodis and LHH - across 61 countries, we enable sustainable and lifelong employability for individuals, deliver digital and engineering solutions to power the Smart Industry transformation and empower organisations to optimise their workforces. The Adecco Group leads by example and is committed to fostering sustainable employability and supporting resilient economies and communities. The Adecco Group AG is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ADEN).