Godrej Industries Group has launched Gateway, a return ship programme designed to help experienced women professionals resume their careers after breaks for marriage, motherhood, caregiving and other life transitions, as part of efforts to strengthen workforce diversity and talent retention.
The initiative, launched by Godrej DEI Lab at the finale of India Included on Campus 2026, will provide structured onboarding, coaching and cohort-based learning. Women currently account for 30% of Godrej Industries’ workforce, while the group has committed to achieving 40% inclusion of women, LGBTQIA+ people and persons with disabilities by 2031.
The second edition of India Included on Campus engaged students from eight leading institutions, including IIM Lucknow, IIT Delhi, XIM Bhubaneswar, the Indian School of Business, IIT Bombay, SIBM Pune, TISS Mumbai and IIM Trichy. XIM Bhubaneswar won the competition for its proposal on structured career re-entry for women, receiving Rs 1 lakh and an opportunity to interact with senior Godrej leadership.
A 2026 study, “The Missing Half”, found that 74% of educated women in India have taken a career break at some point. Godrej said Gateway aims to make returnship talent part of mainstream hiring.
In Guwahati, the initiative offers a potential model for businesses seeking experienced professionals, particularly as regional employers explore ways to widen talent pools and improve workforce inclusion.
Sumit Mitra, Group Head of Human Resources and Corporate Services, said return ships could help organisations regain valuable experience while supporting women’s professional re-entry.
