Lok Sabha Question No. 3662 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-08
Subject: Women Holding Permanent Academic Positions
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Sunita Duggal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No -3662

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08/08/2022

## WOMEN HOLDING PERMANENT ACADEMIC POSITIONS

## 3662. SHRIMATI SUNITA DUGGAL:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:-

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  a  list  of  total  number  of  women  who  currently  hold permanent academic positions in the Indian Universities and other academic institutions of eminence;

(b)  if so, the details thereof as compared to the total number of men holding such positions in Indian Universities and other academic institutions of eminence;

(c)  the  number  of  females  at  academic  posts  compared  to  males  currently  employed  in Government colleges in Haryana;

(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to increase the gender diversity at these positions;

(e) whether the Government is planning to launch a policy to prioritize recruitment of women in such institutions; and

(f)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

(a) & (b) As per All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) 2019-20, 74631 Females and 128141  Males  are reported in permanent academic positions (includes Professor  & Equivalent, Reader & Associate, Lecturer/Assistant Professor, Demonstrator & Tutor) in the Indian  Universities,  of  which  2680  Females  and  6752  Males  are  reported  in  permanent academic positions in the Institutes of  Eminence.

(c) As reported in AISHE 2019-20, 3561 Females and 3234 Males are employed in academic posts in Government Colleges in Haryana.

(d) to (f) A number of initiatives/steps have been taken by the Government to increase the gender diversity in academic positions. More female participation in higher levels has been endeavoured through various scholarships/fellowships such as Pragati Scholarship Scheme, Knowledge Involvement Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN), Consolidation of University Research through Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities (CURIE) etc.  This  in  turn  has  translated  into  more  candidates  available  for  academic  positions  in Higher Education.

As evident from AISHE Reports, the number of female PhDs has increased from 51,904 in 2015-16  to  91,106  in  2019-20,  and  further,  the  number  of  females  reported  in  permanent academic positions has increased from 54,704 in 2015-16 to 74,631 in 2019-20 (an increase of 36.42%).

To increase the representation of women in employment under Central Government/ Central Autonomous Bodies, University Grants Commission (UGC) has exempted women candidates from  payment  of  fees  to any  examinations/  Test/ Interview  conducted  by  Centrally Educational Institutions.

Further,  UGC  Regulations  on  appointment  of  academic  staff  in  Universities  and  Colleges provide that in case there is a woman applicant, a woman academician shall be nominated by the Vice Chancellor in the Selection Committee of the Recruitment process.

*****