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Women Scientists Double Since 2014 Amid India's STEM Revolution

India has witnessed a remarkable surge in women scientists since 2014, with their numbers doubling across various government schemes. The Inspire Manak scheme saw women's participation jump from zero to over 1.76 lakh participants. Women now constitute 18.6% of India's STEM workforce across both government and private sectors. This growth reflects the government's sustained efforts toward women-led development in science and technology.

Key Points: Women Scientists Double in India Since 2014 STEM Growth

  • Women's participation in Inspire Manak scheme grew from zero to 1.76 lakh since 2014
  • Inspire scholarship beneficiaries more than doubled from 23,530 to 50,642
  • Women scientists now constitute 18.6% of India's total STEM workforce
  • Female principal investigators in R&D projects doubled to 25% over two decades
2 min read

Women scientists doubled since 2014, females constitute 18.6 pc STEM workforce: Minister

Union Minister reveals women scientists doubled since 2014, now constitute 18.6% of STEM workforce, driven by government schemes under PM Modi's leadership.

"Women today constitute about 18.6 per cent of the workforce employed in STEM-related fields - Dr. Jitendra Singh"

New Delhi, Nov 29

Women scientists have doubled since 2014, and females constitute 18.6 per cent in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce, said Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh.

Singh credited the government schemes under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the increase in the number of women scientists in the country.

“Prior to 2014, women beneficiaries across key Department of Science and Technology programmes were limited, but between May 2014 and October 2025, the number has grown exponentially across schemes such as INSPIRE, WISE-KIRAN, and Vigyan Jyoti, reflecting the government’s strong push toward women-led development and inclusive scientific growth,” the Minister said.

Under the Inspire Manak scheme, before the year 2014, women’s participation was nil but rose to 1,76,743 between 2014 and 2025.

The Inspire scholarship for higher education scheme before the year 2014 had 23,530 women participants, but from 2014 to 2025, the number more than doubled to 50,642.

Similarly, the women’s participation in the Inspire Fellowship more than doubled to 5,035 between 2014 and 2025 from 2,106 before 2014.

The Inspire Faculty before the year 2014 had 175 women participants; it rose to 439 between the years 2014 and 2025.

WISE (the Women Scientist Scheme) before the year 2014 had 2,713, but from 2014 to 2025 it rose to 4,419.

Citing data from DST’s Research and Development Statistics 2025, Singh pointed out that “women today constitute about 18.6 per cent of the workforce employed in STEM-related fields in the government and private sector combined”.

“The share that is steadily growing as more women move into research, innovation, and high-technology roles,” he added.

The MoS further highlighted that women’s participation in extramural R&D projects -- a critical indicator of their role as principal investigators and research leaders -- has almost doubled over the last two decades, rising to 25 per cent in 2019-20 from 13 per cent in 2000-2001.

“This progress is directly linked to the sustained efforts made by the government in the Science and Technology sector to enable women to enter, sustain, and excel in research careers,” Singh said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great progress but 18.6% is still quite low. We need to ensure this growth continues and reaches at least 40-50% in the coming years. The gender gap in STEM remains significant.
A
Ananya R
My daughter just got selected for the INSPIRE scholarship! These schemes are truly life-changing for girls from smaller towns. Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan! 🇮🇳
D
David E
Impressive growth numbers! The doubling of women scientists in just over a decade shows what focused policy interventions can achieve. Other countries could learn from India's approach to women in STEM.
K
Kavya N
While the progress is commendable, we need to ensure equal opportunities in leadership positions too. Many women scientists still face the glass ceiling in research institutions and corporate R&D.
V
Vikram M
This is the real "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" in action! When women enter STEM fields, it transforms not just their lives but entire communities. Proud of our nation's progress! 🙏

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