When the 15-year-old, Sindhoora Raja, a brilliant Class 11 student from Bengaluru, built the self-stabilizing device that can improve the life of individuals suffering from Parkinson’s disease, she not only solved a problem, but also challenged the stereotype associated with tech and research being areas of predominantly male interest.
She was awarded the prestigious Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Draupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 26 December 2024. Similarly, 17-year-old Priya from a small village in Rajasthan built a low-cost water purification system using solar energy. Their story is a testament to the potential of India’s girls in science, but it also highlights the barriers they must overcome to shine.
As we celebrate the National Science Day in India, to commemorate the discovery of the Raman effect by the Indian physicist Sir CV Raman, it is also the right time to stress the importance of better and more representative participation of women and girls in science fields. It is important to look at where India stands and the progress we are making in this regard.
Today, as India makes strides toward becoming a global leader in innovation, it cannot afford to leave half its population behind. For every Priya and Sindhoora, there are countless girls whose dreams are stifled by societal norms, lack of opportunities, and systemic biases. A Viksit Bharat will require us to transform these challenges into opportunities and empower India’s girls to lead the scientific revolution.
We have made remarkable progress in science and technology, from launching missions to Mars to developing cutting-edge vaccines. Yet, when it comes to gender equality in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), the picture is less encouraging. While girls consistently match and even outperform boys in science subjects at the school level, their representation drops in higher education and professional careers.
According to recent data, women make up only 14% of scientists in research institutions even though 42% of STEM graduates are women. This gap is even wider in rural areas, where access to quality education and resources remains a challenge.
A long way to go, despite making progress
From 38% of all science graduates being women in 2014, to close to 44% in 2024, we have made significant progress in enrolling more girls in science subjects and ensuring they graduate. However, on an employment level, we still see only about 27% representation of women in STEM roles.
The number is even smaller for women in C-level positions in STEM. This surprising and worrying statistic is a global phenomenon and the gap is more prevalent in more advanced countries. This highlights that beyond social hurdles, women’s lack of interest in STEM roles is also a factor in this discrepancy.
Despite the odds, Indian women are breaking barriers and making their mark in science. Dr. Tessy Thomas, known as the “Missile Woman of India,” has played a pivotal role in India’s defence technology. Dr. Ritu Karidhal, a scientist at ISRO, was instrumental in the success of the Mars Orbiter Mission and was a recipient of the UP Gaurav Samman in 2024. Dr. Gagandeep Kang, a leading virologist, has been at the forefront of vaccine research. These women are not just scientists—they are role models, proving that with the right support, Indian girls can achieve greatness in science.
What has worked so far
Programs like the Vigyan Jyoti Scheme, which encourages girls from Class 9 to 12 to pursue STEM, and scholarships for women in science have been steps in the right direction. These initiatives are creating a pipeline of talented young women ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.
We are also seeing female engineers and scientists achieve global recognition for their work, which allows them to reach and influence millions of young girls to join STEM fields. Role models like Kalpana Chawla and Mira Murati are not just examples for the young girls taking their first steps in science, but they are leaders who are showing the way. We will need many more such examples before we see a transformational shift in how girls view STEM roles.
Empowering girls in science is not just a matter of equality—it’s a necessity for India’s future. Science and technology are the driving forces of economic growth, and by excluding half the population, India could be limiting its potential. Studies have shown that diverse teams are more innovative and productive, and increasing women’s participation in STEM can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and solutions to pressing global challenges.
Moreover, investing in girls’ education has a ripple effect. Educated women are more likely to contribute to their families’ well-being, break the cycle of poverty, and inspire the next generation.
The RISE Framework: Empowering Girls in Science
To truly transform the landscape for girls in science, we need a structured and holistic approach. The RISE Framework offers a roadmap for change, focusing on four key pillars: Resources, Inclusion, Support, and Empowerment.
Resources – Building the Foundation: We have to ensure that girls have access to quality education, tools, and opportunities in science. This can be achieved through investments in STEM infrastructure in schools, especially in rural areas (labs, libraries, and technology), scholarships and financial aid for girls pursuing science education and mobile science labs and digital learning platforms to reach underserved communities.
Inclusion – Breaking Barriers and Challenging Stereotypes: We need to create an inclusive environment where girls feel welcomed and valued in science. We will need to promote gender-sensitive curricula that challenge stereotypes and highlight women’s contributions to science and encourage communities to support girls’ aspirations in STEM. This can be supported through increase in representation of women in science textbooks, media, and public discourse. But eventually this will have to be done through a carefully crafted and prolonged national behaviour change campaign.
Support – Building Networks and Mentorship: We will need to provide girls with the guidance and encouragement they need to thrive in science. We need more mentorship programs and platforms like SAHIT, connecting girls with women scientists and professionals. There should be safe spaces for girls to ask questions, experiment, and collaborate (e.g., science clubs, hackathons). For this we will also need to train teachers to identify and nurture girls’ potential in STEM. Organizations like the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and Indian Women Scientists’ Association (IWSA) are already paving the way by creating such programs under the able leadership of its President Padamshri Professor Ashutosh Sharma.
Empowerment – Enabling Leadership and Innovation: Empowerment and encouragement are perhaps the most crucial aspect of the RISE, as this is at the core of making the choice and aspiring for careers in STEM. Girls need to be equipped with confidence and skills to lead and innovate in science. This can start with encouraging girls to take on leadership roles in science projects and competitions, providing them internships, research opportunities, and exposure to real-world scientific challenges and celebrating and amplifying the achievements of women in science through awards, media coverage, and public recognition.
This is not just a theoretical model—it’s a call to action. By focusing on Resources, Inclusion, Support, and Empowerment, we can create an ecosystem where girls in science don’t just survive but thrive. This framework is scalable, adaptable, and actionable, making it a powerful tool for policymakers, educators, and communities alike.
As Indians, we must aspire too; to build a future where every Indian girl can pursue her passion for science. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, policymaker, or simply a concerned citizen, you have a role to play in this movement. Together, we can ensure that India’s scientific revolution is not just inclusive but transformative and nobody is left behind in our quest for a developed India. Only a Sahit Bharat can be a Viksit Bharat.
(The author is Global SVP, Chief Corporate Affairs & Public Policy Officer, InMobi; Views expressed are personal)
