Every few decades, the saga of technology introduces a new tool that promises to redefine the existing narratives. The printing press, the internet, the smartphone—each claimed to democratise access, level the field, and shatter age-old hierarchies. Now, Generative AI has knocked on the doors—not with a whisper, but with a roar—demanding attention and igniting widespread speculation. This time, the stakes are unmistakably gendered.
For generations, the tech world has been framed as a man’s domain—a narrative reflected not just in perception, but in participation. The underrepresentation of women in tech continues to underscore the imbalance, adding statistical weight to this longstanding divide.
There is a growing chorus asking a question we cannot afford to shrug under the carpet: Will AI tear down the ceilings that have long pushed women to the fringes of tech, or will it merely give those walls a sleeker, shinier finish?

The great equalizer or a familiar divide?

On paper, the data narrates an optimistic story. According to BCG and Nasscom’s 2024 report titled “GenAI: The Diversity Game Changer We Can’t Ignore”, a striking 65% of both men and women believe GenAI could be a powerful force for inclusion in the technology sector. Adoption levels in India are equally promising: 80% of women and 76% of men working in tech report active use of GenAI tools
And yet, under the veil of these numbers peeks an uncomfortable truth: The deeper you go, the more the cracks appear. Senior Indian women trail their male counterparts in GenAI adoption by 9 percentage points, even as global trends show senior women leading men by 12 points in uptake. At first glance, it appears that women are catching up. But is that the full picture, or just a well-lit corner of a much darker room?

A new bias in the making

Even as women embark on tech-related roles in huge numbers- comprising 36% of India’s 5 million IT workforce- they remain primarily underrepresented in leadership roles- holding only 4–8% of executive roles, compared to 14% globally. The GenAI revolution threatens to replicate this imbalance unless immediate interventions are made.
Despite strong ambitions—42% of women rate their career goals as “very high,” surpassing men at 35%—women still find themselves hitting the same invisible barriers. Are they lacking effort? The reports scream an emphatic no. It suggests that 95% of junior women and 100% of senior women are willing to go the extra mile in GenAI-related roles.
So what’s holding them back?
The answers are stark: Limited access to tools, lack of mentorship, inadequate knowledge, fear of failure, and a deeply ingrained fear of being judged. In senior roles especially, only 35% of women feel truly prepared to work with GenAI tools, even though 90% see them as pivotal to future success.

GenAI jobs: Where women disappear

The drop-off gives an even more alarming viewpoint when examining the specific GenAI roles. For example, men dominate the position of Head or Director of Machine Learning (79%) and AI Researcher (46%), leaving women significantly behind in key leadership posts. While women hold 43% of junior tech jobs, their representation in GenAI at the same level is only 33%, signaling an exclusion from the cutting-edge frontier of their own field.
This is not just a pipeline problem. It’s a failure of ecosystems that have yet to create inclusive career pathways, tailored upskilling, and environments where women feel trusted and supported.
This is not just a pipeline ordeal. It is a failure of ecosystems that have yet to create inclusive career pathways, customised upskilling, and environments where women feel secured, supported, and trusted.

Diversity is not charity—it’s strategy

Diversity is not for embellishment of rulebooks. There’s a reason companies with diverse leadership tend to perform better. The report brings forth that diverse teams enjoy 19 percentage points higher innovation revenue and 9 points higher EBIT margins as compared to less diverse peers.
In AI development, where bias is real and a dangerous threat, diverse teams are not just important- they are essential.

The blueprint for real change

We cannot stop at the diagnosis of the problem; we need action. If GenAI is to become a tool of equity rather than exclusion, here’s what needs to happen now according to the report:

Organizations that embed these changes won’t just advance women—they’ll future-proof their technology against bias, inefficiency, and ethical blind spots.

Breaking the gates or repainting them?

The promise of GenAI is real. But promises falter, as history suggests. If left unchecked, GenAI could become just another polished surface reflecting the same systemic exclusions that have always moulded technology. But if harnessed with intention, it could be the most powerful equaliser we have ever built.
The kingpin of the future is not just intelligent machines- it is about inclusive minds behind them. The gates won’t fall on their own. We must choose to break them.

THE Asia University Rankings 2025: The Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2025, released on April 23, present a detailed and rigorous evaluation of academic excellence across the continent. This year’s edition assesses 853 universities from 35 countries and territories, based on performance across teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook. With 18 robust performance indicators, THE’s globally trusted methodology continues to guide students, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders in benchmarking higher education quality.
While China maintains its dominance with the top two positions and five of the top ten, countries like Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong also perform strongly—all six of Hong Kong’s universities enter the top 50, a first since 2017. The rankings also welcome four new entrants: Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Mongolia, and Syria. In this competitive landscape, India records a strong showing with 20 institutions placed among Asia’s top 250, led by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and Shoolini University, the country’s highest-ranked private university.
Indian universities on the rise in Asia: A look at THE Asia University Rankings 2025
Indian higher education institutions have once again made notable strides in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2025, reflecting both the enduring strength of traditional public universities and the growing momentum of private institutions. With India claiming significant positions across multiple performance indicators—research quality, industry engagement, international outlook, teaching, and research environment—the rankings shed light on the evolving academic landscape in the region.
Among the prominent institutions, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) remains the country’s academic torchbearer, securing a joint 38th place in Asia. At the same time, private players such as Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences have made substantial inroads, with Shoolini becoming the highest-ranked private university in India for the second year running. The data reflects a broader trend of diversification and excellence in Indian academia, with institutions aligning more closely with global benchmarks of research and innovation.
Indian Institute of Science leads, but others are closing the gap
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, tops the Indian chart with an overall score of 65.2, achieving the 38th rank in Asia. It demonstrates significant strength in Industry Engagement with a score of 97.3, followed by robust performances in Teaching (68.1) and Research Quality (64.1). These metrics solidify IISc’s position as a premier research institution, known for balancing theoretical knowledge with practical innovation.
In contrast, Anna University, ranked 111th, reveals a high Research Quality score of 80.0—even higher than IISc—suggesting a commendable volume of high-impact publications. However, its International Outlook (20.2) and Teaching (43.3) scores remain relatively modest, highlighting the need for more global collaboration and pedagogical development.
Performance of other notable Indian institutions
Among other high-performing institutions, the Indian Institute of Technology Indore, ranked 131st, showcases a strong Research Quality score of 70.8 and a balanced profile across teaching and internationalisation. Mahatma Gandhi University, ranked 140th, offers moderate scores across the board, with its highest performance in Teaching at 53.5.
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences and Jamia Millia Islamia, ranked 149th and 161st respectively, both exhibit strong Research Quality scores—83.4 and 75.4—but lower scores in International Outlook (72.5 and 40.4) and Teaching (40.8 and 48.7). Their research dominance suggests potential for stronger global engagement and improvements in the classroom environment.
Other institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and KIIT University, both ranked =184, present similar overall scores (44.8) but differ in performance areas. KIIT, with a higher Industry Engagement score of 55.9, edges ahead in real-world applications, whereas IIT Guwahati performs better in Research Quality and Teaching.
Emerging universities show promising trends
A group of Indian universities within the 201–250 band, including Banaras Hindu University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, show promising trends. For instance, BITS Pilani demonstrates strong Research Quality (71.9) and solid Industry Engagement (42.0). Meanwhile, Jawaharlal Nehru University displays a well-rounded profile with noteworthy scores in Teaching (49.7) and Research Environment (27.4).
Lovely Professional University, also in the 201–250 band, stands out with a Research Quality score of 81.4 and a decent International Outlook (48.8), but its lower Teaching score (25.2) and Industry Engagement (24.0) suggest room for pedagogical and practical enhancement.
Shoolini University breaks barriers as India’s top private institution
Shoolini University has emerged as a powerful force among Indian institutions, ranking 146th in Asia and 5th overall in India. Notably, it holds the title of No.1 Private University in India for the second consecutive year. It scores an impressive 81.5 in Research Quality and 71.4 in International Outlook, placing 2nd and 4th in India, respectively, in these categories. The university also ranks 14th in India for Research Environment (233rd in Asia), 49th in India for Teaching (263rd in Asia), and 67th in India for Industry Engagement (617th in Asia).
These achievements reflect Shoolini’s strategic emphasis on research-led education, global partnerships, and its commitment to innovation. As Vice Chancellor Atul Khosla remarked, the university’s continued top ranking “is a matter of pride,” underscoring a focused effort on maintaining academic excellence and international relevance. Its consistent appearance among the Top 200 universities in Asia for three consecutive years reinforces its trajectory as a rising academic leader.
Indian universities in THE Asia University Rankings 2025

The path ahead for Indian higher education
The Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2025 affirm India’s deepening academic influence in the region. While public universities like IISc continue to lead, institutions such as Shoolini University exemplify how private universities are closing the gap, particularly through innovation, research intensity, and internationalisation. As Indian universities continue to recalibrate their strategies around global benchmarks, the country is poised to play a larger role in the international academic community.
This year’s rankings highlight both the progress and the challenges facing India’s higher education sector. With the right blend of policy support, institutional autonomy, and global engagement, India’s universities are well-positioned to further ascend in the years ahead.