Purpose – The present study aims to explore women’s mentoring experiences in the context of their non-linear careers in the Indian cultural context. The study implies the importance of considering women’s non-linear careers and cultural context to make women’s mentoring more effective.

Design/methodology/approach – The study takes a qualitative approach and uses semi-structured interviews of 28 Indian women employees of varying career stages.

Findings – The findings show that women’s mentoring needs are unique and vary across their career stages in relation to their non-linear careers. Indian women need mentors and role models for efficacy building, career planning, sponsorship, feedback and assertiveness coaching in their early careers.The study further emphasizesthe significant role of mentorsin helping women plan their careers and contributing to growth with balance in the midcareer stage owing to the patrifocal Indian context. The results also show senior women’s interest in mentoring others as a reflection of their need for meaning. Further, the need for multiple mentors of both genders emerged.

Originality/value – The study contributes by extending the literature on Indian women’s mentoring needs in organizations that remains largely unexplored. Further, the study contributes by providing suggestions to organizations to take into consideration women’s career development needs with an emphasis on their cultural and organizational barriers to develop culturally-sensitive diversity policies such as mentoring.