Despite women making up 44% of India’s gaming audience, they remain severely underrepresented in the industry, accounting for only 12-14% of the total workforce and an even lower 6-9% in technical roles. These findings come from a newly released report by the All India Game Developers Forum (AIGDF), talent solutions firm Coral Recruit and M-League, the parent company of skill-gaming company Mobile Premier League (MPL).
The report underscores a stark imbalance in gender representation within the gaming industry. While women globally comprise 22-24% of the gaming workforce, the numbers in India are considerably lower. Leadership representation is even more skewed, with women holding only 12-14% of leadership positions and less than 10% of decision-making roles.
Speaking about the findings, Soumya AK, AIGDF, said, “The Indian gaming industry is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world, yet it continues to be male-dominated. Addressing gender disparity is not just about fairness—it is essential for innovation. Diverse teams bring unique perspectives, improve storytelling, and help create games that resonate with a wider audience. The industry has an opportunity—and a responsibility—to ensure that women are not just participants but key contributors in shaping the future of gaming in India. By creating structured mentorship programs, enforcing fair hiring policies, and celebrating the achievements of women in gaming, we can pave the way for a more diverse and dynamic industry.”
One of the key challenges outlined in the report is the persistent gender bias in hiring and promotions. Women often struggle to break into technical roles and leadership positions, facing systemic barriers that prevent career progression. The absence of mentorship programs further exacerbates the issue, leaving many without guidance or support to navigate the industry.
Workplace culture remains another significant hurdle, with many women experiencing discrimination, limited networking opportunities, and a lack of role models in senior positions. While women have a stronger presence in creative and non-technical fields such as marketing, game design, and community management, their representation in programming, game development, and data analytics remains disproportionately low.
The report outlines several key recommendations to bridge this gap. Encouraging more women to pursue careers in gaming must start at the educational level, with greater emphasis on STEM education, coding workshops, and game design courses aimed at young women.
Companies must also adopt inclusive hiring practices, such as structured evaluation processes and diverse hiring panels, to eliminate bias in recruitment. Furthermore, fostering a supportive work environment through mentorship programs, leadership training, and strong anti-harassment policies is crucial to ensuring that women not only enter the industry but thrive in it.
The report also highlights the business case for gender diversity. Studies have consistently shown that companies with diverse leadership perform better financially and foster more innovative and engaged teams. Without significant female representation at all levels, the Indian gaming industry risks missing out on the vast potential that diversity brings, not only in game development but also in business strategy and market expansion.
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