Meta Title: Returnship Programs in India for Women |Complete Guide Meta Description: Complete guide to returnship programs in India for women. Compare 15+ programs including Goldman Sachs, IBM, Myntra Phoenix, Cognizant, J.P. Morgan and more. Slug: /returnship-programs-in-india/ Image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qBRLFt7H8IkbsuoZ2QDKIDcBB8np5OH1/view?usp=sharing Image file name: returnship-programs-in-india-for-women Alt text: Returnship programs in India for women returning to work The Complete Guide to Returnship Programs in India for Women You may have taken a career break for maternity, caregiving, higher studies, relocation, health, or other personal reasons. Now you are ready to return to full-time work, but you may be wondering where to start. A returnship program is where the answer lies – it can give you a structured way back into your career. Unlike a regular job application, a returnship is built for experienced professionals who have been away from work. These programs can combine paid work, skill refresh, mentorship, training and the opportunity to move into a full-time role. In India, companies across technology, banking, consulting, retail and other sectors now run structured returnship programs. This guide covers what returnships mean, who can apply, the leading programs available to women in India, how to apply and what you can expect after joining one. What is a Returnship Program and How Is It Different from a Job? A returnship is a structured, usually paid re-entry program for experienced professionals returning to work after a career break. Participants work on real projects, refresh their skills and receive support while transitioning back into the workplace. Many programs also consider participants for full-time roles after completion. Returnship programs usually last between a few weeks and several months, typically between 3 to 6 months. Some are structured as internships, while others offer direct full-time employment. Returnships are typically stipend-based, going up to 2 lakh per month depending on seniority and sector. Here is how a returnship compares with other common routes: Vertical Returnship Regular Job Internship Who is it for? Professionals returning after a career break. Open to candidates actively seeking a role at any stage in their career. Usually designed for students or freshers looking to step into their first role. Prior experience Prior professional experience is generally expected. Experience required depends on the role and seniority. Prior professional experience expectations are usually limited. Main purpose Helps professionals refresh skills and transition back into the workplace. Focuses on filling an ongoing role based on business requirements. Focuses on enabling candidates to gain practical experience and learning workplace skills. Work involved Participants often work on real projects and business responsibilities. Employees take on the responsibilities of a permanent role. Interns usually work on projects designed around learning and exposure. Duration Usually fixed-term, with duration varying by program. May lead to full-time roles after completion. Ongoing employment. It is a full-time role. Usually short-term and fixed-duration. Can last up to 1 year, and may or may not lead to full-time conversion. Payment Often paid through a stipend, salary or fellowship, depending on the program. Paid as a regular salary. May be paid or unpaid, depending on the employer and role. Career break requirement Usually requires a defined career break, often ranging from 6 months to 2+ years. No career break requirement. No career break requirement. The key difference is that a returnship recognises your previous experience while giving you time to reconnect with current workplace expectations. Who Is Eligible for Returnship Programs in India? Eligibility varies by company, but most returnship programs look for experienced professionals who have taken a meaningful career break. Common requirements include: * Two or more years of previous professional experience. * A career break of six months to two years or more, depending on the program. * Relevant experience for the role you are applying for. * Interest in returning to full-time work. * Willingness to refresh or update your skills. Maternity, caregiving, relocation, further education, health, family responsibilities or personal reasons are all acceptable reasons for a career break. LinkedIn Workforce Report found that 38% of women in India listed parenting as a reason for a career break on their profiles, compared to 9% of men. The same research found that the median career break was 33 months for women in India. Eligibility also depends on your sector. Technology returnships may ask for previous experience in specific programming languages or platforms. Banking programs may look for experience in finance, operations, risk, technology or related functions. Some returnship programs also mentor participants applying in a new field. Are You Ready for a Returnship? If you are considering a returnship, and meet the eligibility criteria for the returnship program you are looking at, you are ready for it. These programs are specifically designed for professionals who have stepped away from the workforce and are now ready to restart their careers with structured support. The key is not how long your break has been, but whether you are ready to re-enter with willingness to learn, and confidence in your past experience. Here are some of the leading returnship programs in India you can consider based on your experience, career break and preferred location. Program Sector Duration Career Break Requirement Prior Experience Myntra Phoenix Fashion, e-commerce, technology 6 months Minimum 6 months Relevant professional experience of minimum 1 year. IBM Tech Re Entry Technology, software, data Varies by role Minimum 1 year Previous experience in technology-related roles. Goldman Sachs Returnship Finance, investment banking, technology, operations 12 weeks 2+ years Previous professional experience of 3+ years. JPMorganChase ReEntry Banking, finance, technology, operations 15 weeks 2+ years Experienced professionals preferably Associate & VP levels (or equivalent) at the time of departure from the workforce. Deutsche Bank Resume your Résumé Banking, finance, technology, operations 12 weeks 18+ months Previous professional experience *Eligibility, duration, locations and available roles can change between cohorts. Always check the latest program requirements on the company's careers page before applying. Which Returnship Programs Has Aspire For Her Partnered With? Aspire For Her offered direct access to several returnship programs through its Return to Work community. This was especially useful when you were unsure of which companies to approach or how to present your experience after a career break. Here are seven key partner programs to explore. Myntra Phoenix Myntra Phoenix 3.0 is a 6-month returnship program for women returning after a career break. Recent Phoenix openings have been based in Bengaluru and include technology, product, business and category roles. Current eligibility requested is at least six months of career break and prior work experience of minimum 1 year. The program includes structured onboarding, learning, mentorship and hands-on work. IBM Tech Re Entry IBM's Tech Re Entry is a full-time paid returnship program for technical professionals who have taken a career break of one year or more. Participants get to refresh their technical skills, work on real projects and use current tools and technologies. IBM lists India among the countries where the program is offered, although specific openings depend on available roles. Goldman Sachs Returnship The Goldman Sachs India Returnship is a paid 12-week program for previously employed professionals who have been away from the workforce for at least two years. Participants receive on-the-job experience, professional development, feedback and mentorship. India locations include Bengaluru and Hyderabad, subject to business requirements. High performing participants may also be considered for full-time opportunities. JPMorganChase ReEntry JPMorganChase offers a 15-week paid ReEntry program for experienced professionals who have been away from the workforce for two or more years. The program operates in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune, among other global locations. Roles cover areas including technology, data, product, operations, finance and project management. The program can lead to permanent employment based on performance, business needs and role fit. Cognizant Returnship Cognizant's Returnship is a 3-month paid experience for technology professionals with previous work experience and a career break. Its current India program information lists a minimum 12 month break and two or more years of prior professional experience, with opportunities depending on business demand. Morgan Stanley Return to Work Morgan Stanley's Return to Work is a 16-week program that supports experienced professionals returning after a career break of two or more years. The 2026 program included Bengaluru and Mumbai, with opportunities across areas such as finance, technology, operations, investment banking and risk management. The program includes training, mentorship, coaching and professional development. Deutsche Bank Resume your Résumé Deutsche Bank's Resume your Résumé program is a 12-week internship for professionals in India who have taken a career break of at least 18 months. Current locations listed by the company include Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune and Jaipur. Participants receive return-to-work training, mentoring, peer support and access to internal networks, with the possibility of conversion to a full-time role after the program. Aspire For Her members can get earlier access to selected partner programs, application support and mentorship through the Return to Work community. Join Aspire For Her's Return to Work community and start your returnship journey with the support you need. What Other Returnship Programs Are Available in India? Several other companies have created structured pathways for professionals returning after a career break. Here’s some programs that you can check: Tata SCIP Tata SCIP stands for Second Careers, Inspiring Possibilities. It connects women returning after a career break with full-time roles and consulting assignments across Tata companies. Consulting assignments can run from six months to a year, depending on business requirements. The program also offers mentorship and capability building. TCS iBegin TCS iBegin is a route for experienced professionals exploring opportunities with Tata Consultancy Services. Openings and eligibility depend on the roles available, so candidates are required to check the current TCS careers portal for relevant opportunities. Restart with Infosys Restart with Infosys is designed for women professionals who have taken a career break of a minimum of six months and have more than two years of continuous prior work experience. Depending on skills and business requirements, participants may be considered for full-time or fixed-term employment. Infosys reported that more than 900 women were onboarded through the program in FY26. Wipro Begin Again Wipro's Begin Again is designed for women restarting their careers after a break of six months or more. It offers opportunities across India along with mentorship, flexibility and workplace support. Specific roles and locations depend on current openings. Accenture Career Reboot Accenture's Career Reboot program is open to people with a career break of two years or more. Candidates can apply for full-time roles and, when available, internships across technology, strategy and consulting, operations and corporate functions. The duration depends on the role and track. Amazon Rekindle Amazon India's Rekindle program is for women who have taken a career break of 12 months or more. The program includes interview support, orientation, mentorship and on-the-job learning. Current openings can be found through Amazon's careers portal and cover technology, finance, operations and other business roles. Cisco Returnship Cisco Returnship is a return-to-work program for women technical professionals, with previous cohorts structured around paid roles, mentorship, workshops and training. The program includes 16-week returnships that offer peer-training and career support. Persistent Women's Returnship Program Persistent's Women's Returnship Program is designed for women returning to technology roles. The program focuses on training, mentorship and the possibility of full-time employment. Persistent lists a minimum of four years of experience for its returnship, although requirements can vary by role. HCLTech Returnship HCLTech's Returnship is designed specifically to help women with information technology backgrounds returning to work. Candidates generally require at least two years of prior work experience. Training, mentorship and exposure to current technologies are part of the program. Intuit Again Intuit Again is a paid returnship for technologists returning after a career break. The India program is based in Bengaluru and has been structured as a 6-month full-time returnship. Candidates generally need a relevant engineering or computer applications degree, three or more years of experience and at least a 12-month break. PayPal Recharge PayPal Recharge is a returnship route for experienced professionals returning after a career break, the duration of which depends upon the role. India is listed among the locations where PayPal has offered the program. Google Returnship Opportunities Google does not currently present one single India-wide returnship application in the same way as other companies do. Return to work opportunities may appear through specific teams, roles or external partnerships. Older programs such as Next Innings have offered structured routes for women, but candidates are required to use the current Google Careers portal to confirm whether a suitable re-entry role is open. BNP Paribas Returnship BNP Paribas has run returnship programs for professionals who have taken career breaks, including women returning after family-related breaks. The program focuses on finance and related corporate functions. Current India roles and program dates should be confirmed through BNP Paribas careers before applying. The important thing is that a returnship may not always appear under the word "returnship" on a careers page. Search for terms such as "career return", "return to work", "second career", "career relaunch" and "re entry" as well. And while there’s a lot of returnship opportunities, the question remains: how do you choose the right returnship program for you? How Do You Choose the Right Returnship Program for You? To choose the right returnship program, do not apply to every opportunity you find. Start by matching the program to your experience and the kind of work you want next. Ask yourself five questions: 1. What sector do I want to return to? Start by identifying the industry you want to work in. Technology, banking, consulting, retail, marketing and other sectors have different returnship programs, roles and eligibility requirements. Choose programs that match your previous experience or the skills you want to build. 2. What role level am I targeting? Look for programs that match your previous experience and career level. Some returnships are designed for experienced individual contributors, while others offer opportunities at mid or senior levels. Check the role requirements to make sure your previous experience aligns with what the company is looking for. 3. Where do I want to work? Consider the location and work model before applying. Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai and Delhi NCR are common locations for returnship programs in India, but some roles may offer remote or hybrid options. Choose a program that fits your current family, relocation and commute requirements. 4. What duration works for me? Think about how much time you can realistically commit to the program. A 12-week returnship may be easier to manage than a six month program, especially if you have family or caregiving responsibilities. Also check whether the program can lead to a full time role after completion. 5. Do I want to return to my previous field? Decide whether you want to rebuild your previous career or explore a new direction. If you want to return to technology, choose a program that helps you refresh relevant technical skills. If you want to move into another business function, look for roles where your previous experience and transferable skills can add value. To help you guide through this process, you can also speak to Aspire For Her mentors who have gone through returnship programs and understand the process from the candidate's side to get insights and learnings. How Do You Apply for a Returnship Program? The application process is similar to a regular job application, but your career break needs to be presented clearly when applying for a returnship program. Step 1: Identify suitable programs Shortlist 5-7 programs based on your sector, experience, career break and preferred location. A detailed list of returnship opportunities are mentioned above. Step 2: Update your LinkedIn profile Make your headline relevant to your target role. For instance: Product Manager | Returning to Tech | 8 Years of Product Experience Your profile should make it clear that you are ready to return, rather than leaving recruiters to guess. Step 3: Rewrite your resume Include your experience before the break, measurable achievements and relevant work you did during the break to let recruiters know your intent. Step 4: Apply through the official portal Apply through the company's careers page wherever possible for better visibility. If Aspire For Her provides an internal referral or application route for a partner program, use that route as well. Step 5: Prepare for assessments and interviews Depending on the company, you may face technical tests, case studies, functional assessments or standard interviews that align with the role you’re applying for. Be ready to explain: * Why did you take the career break? * Why are you returning now? * What have you done to refresh your skills? * What kind of role do you want? * Why is your previous experience relevant? A realistic application to the selection timeline can be around four to six weeks, although this varies significantly by company and role. How Do You Prepare Your Resume and LinkedIn for a Returnship Application? You do not need to hide your career break in your professional documents. Write about it clearly and move on to your strengths. For example: Career Break | 2020 to 2023 | Primary Caregiver // Higher Education // Mental Health break Then focus the rest of the resume on your professional value. Your resume should include: * Two or three strong achievements from your previous roles * Numbers wherever possible to quantify your contributions * Relevant freelance, volunteer or project work during your break * Recent certifications or upskilling * Current tools and skills relevant to the role * A short professional summary * One to two pages of focused content Your LinkedIn update requirements: * Update your headline: Product Manager | Returning to Tech via Returnship * Add your career break to the Experience section with a simple explanation. * Engage with industry content in your target sector 2–4 weeks before applying. * Connect with Aspire For Her mentors working at your target companies. What Should You Expect During a Returnship Program? A returnship is not simply a long interview. You are expected to contribute to actual projects that can help you get full-time roles after the program. The first month may include onboarding and team introductions, skill assessment, training and learning modules, mentor meetings, and your first project. The middle phase usually involves more independent work. You may work with a manager, clients or cross functional teams while receiving regular feedback. Towards the end, you may complete a project, present your work and have a formal performance discussion. Some programs then consider you for a full time role. During your returnship, you may also experience a few challenges. Technology and processes may have changed since you last worked. You may need time to adjust to workplace routines again. You may also question whether your skills are still relevant. That does not mean you are starting from zero. You are bringing previous professional experience, problem solving ability, industry knowledge and the skills you developed during your break. A returnship gives you space to reconnect those strengths with the current workplace. What Percentage of Returnships Convert to Full Time Jobs? Returnship conversion rates are generally stronger than many people expect, but there is no single conversion rate that applies to every company. iRelaunch reports that, on average, around 80% of returnship participants are hired when their programs end. Its more recent research also notes that conversion rates can vary substantially between programs. JPMorganChase reported that more than 80% of its ReEntry fellows had been placed in permanent roles in its 2025 program update. Intuit has also reported substantial conversion through Intuit Again. What improves your chances of conversion? * Strong performance during the program * Good communication with your manager * Ability to learn quickly * Relevant technical or functional skills * Team and culture fit * A clear business need for your role Conversion is never guaranteed. The final decision depends on your performance, available roles and business requirements. But with dedication and willingness to learn, you can always improve your conversion chances. How Does Aspire For Her Support Women Applying for Returnships? A returnship application can feel easier when you do not have to figure everything out alone. Aspire For Her's Return to Work community supports women who are ready to restart their professional careers, connecting women with returnship opportunities, hiring partners, mentors and women who understand the return to work journey. Through the community, women can access: * Partner returnship programs * Application and referral support * Resume and LinkedIn guidance * Interview preparation support * Mentorship from experienced professionals * Peer support from women returning to work * Support after joining a returnship Aspire For Her also works with employers such as Myntra, IBM, Goldman Sachs, JPMorganChase, Cognizant, Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank. If you are actively looking for a structured way back into work, join the Aspire For Her Return to Work community today! Frequently Asked Questions About Returnship Programs in India What is the meaning of returnship? A returnship is a structured re-entry program for experienced professionals returning after a career break. It usually combines paid work, skill refresh, mentorship and practical experience. Some programs can lead to full-time employment after completion. Are returnship programs paid? Many corporate returnship programs are paid, either through a stipend, salary or paid fellowship structure. However, payment terms vary by company and role. Can women apply after a five or ten year career break? Yes. Some returnship programs accept professionals after long career breaks. Eligibility depends on the company, role and previous experience. A long break does not automatically mean you are ineligible. Do I need to explain my career break on my resume? Yes. It is usually better to state the break clearly rather than leave an unexplained gap. Keep the explanation simple and use the rest of your resume to demonstrate your experience, achievements and current skills. Can I apply for more than one returnship? Yes, you can apply to multiple companies if you meet their eligibility criteria. However, tailor your resume and application to each role instead of sending the same application everywhere. Can I apply for a returnship if I want to change careers? It depends on the program. Some returnships expect candidates to return to a similar field, while others have broader roles. Your chances are stronger when your previous experience can clearly transfer to the new role. Do returnships guarantee a full time job? No. A returnship can lead to a full time role, but conversion depends on your performance, role availability and business requirements. Some companies publish strong conversion rates, but these should not be treated as guarantees. Where can I find current returnship openings? Start with the official careers pages of companies offering returnship programs. You can also join the Aspire For Her Return to Work community to access partner opportunities, application support and mentorship. Your career break is not the end of your career. It is one chapter, and a returnship can help you begin the next one with structure, support and real work experience. Join the Return to Work community for access to returnship opportunities, application support, mentorship and a community of women who are returning to work or have already made the transition.
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