India’s employability gap: What rising male gains and female fluctuations mean

The India Skills Report 2026 reveals a sharp shift in gendered employability trends, with men overtaking women in 2025 before women regained a narrow lead this year. The six-year swing highlights how technical-skill demand, systemic barriers, and divergent regional preferences shape workforce outcomes. The findings raise urgent questions about equity, access, and India’s preparedness for a gender-balanced labour market.