Women Are Leading Science Missions Like Aditya-L1, Constitute 43 Per Cent Enrollment In STEMM: S&T Minister

The number of women scientists is still low compared to male scientists. Women account for 16.8 per cent of Indian scientists. Only 25 per cent of research and development projects are run by women. 

Women are leading science missions like Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1. Also, 43 per cent of Indians enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine (STEMM) streams at the higher education level are women, Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said on February 7, 2024. He also said that if this trend continues, there will be a greater representation of women in science and technology institutions, industry, and startups. 

Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, the minister said that women in science have already evolved from participatory roles to leadership roles. 

He stated that the overall representation of women in science and technology jobs will soon improve because there is no gender bias in promotions. 

According to Singh, the number of women scientists is still low compared to male scientists. Women account for 16.8 per cent of Indian scientists. Only 25 per cent of research and development projects are run by women. 

Singh said that prime minister Narendra Modi extended the WISE (Women In Science and Engineering) scheme started during the tenure of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the WISE-KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing) scheme. 

Singh claimed that the budget for the WISE scheme is Rs 135 crore. 

In the last five years, and the current year, 2,153 women scientists have availed benefits under the WISE-KIRAN scheme, he said.

The minister also mentioned in his written response that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will set up India’s space station, which will be called the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), by 2035 in a phased manner. The BAS is currently in the conceptualisation phase, the minister said in a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha. The conceptualisation phase is the one in which the overall architecture, number, and types of modules required are studied.

ISRO is currently working on the configuration of the space station. Since the space station will be set up in a phased manner, modules will be launched at different times.