Has India Witnessed a 92% Increase in Women Job Applications for Enterprise Roles?

Synopsis
In a groundbreaking report, India’s job market is experiencing a remarkable transformation with a staggering 92% surge in job applications from women for enterprise positions. This increase underscores a broader economic optimism and a shift towards inclusive hiring practices across various sectors, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Key Takeaways
- 92% surge in women applying for enterprise roles.
- Over 62 lakh applications from women.
- Growth concentrated in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
- Freshers contributed 66 lakh applications.
- Companies are expanding their recruitment beyond metro areas.
New Delhi, April 28 (NationPress) The job market in India is rapidly advancing with a striking 92% increase in applications from women pursuing enterprise roles as reported on Monday. This data, compiled by the jobs and professional networking platform Apna, reflects a phenomenal 1.81 crore job applications in the first quarter of this year, marking a 30% rise compared to the previous year. This surge indicates a surge in India's economic optimism and a booming digital hiring landscape across various sectors.
Women's workforce involvement has significantly risen, amounting to over 62 lakh applications, demonstrating a 23% year-on-year growth.
The most substantial growth is noted in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities like Chandigarh, Indore, and Jamshedpur, attributed to flexible work options, inclusive hiring practices, and enhanced opportunities in industries such as BPO, finance, and HR, according to the report.
Fresh graduates are also propelling India's employment growth with more than 66 lakh applications, reflecting a 46% year-on-year increase. As companies widen their recruitment efforts beyond major cities, emerging talent hubs like Rajkot, Warangal, and Meerut are becoming integral to the hiring landscape.
Additionally, the job platform registered 3.1 lakh job postings, an increase of 26% from Q1 2024.
Small and medium businesses (SMBs) led the hiring wave, contributing over 2.1 lakh job postings, including 28,547 positions exclusively for women.
Enterprise hiring has significantly escalated, with companies such as LIC, Paytm, Delhivery, and Flipkart generating over 1 lakh job openings, thereby expanding recruitment efforts beyond metropolitan areas and tapping into the national talent pool.
“We’re observing individuals not just securing jobs but finding the right ones more swiftly than ever. In just one quarter, over 1.81 crore job applications were submitted on Apna. This statistic represents countless stories of perseverance across the country. From major metros to the most remote Tier 3 towns, India is not just working — it is thriving,” stated Nirmit Parikh, the Founder and CEO of Apna.
The report highlights that India's digital transformation is accelerating, especially in Tier 2 cities, where the demand for advanced tech talent is escalating.
In Q1 2025, the platform noted a remarkable 65.4% increase in job postings for software and web developers, along with a 42.2% rise in applications from freshers for these roles compared to the previous year.
This growth emphasizes the increasing need for specialized professionals in areas such as AI/ML, cybersecurity, business intelligence, and data-driven operations, as companies in these regions enhance their digital capabilities, as per the report.