Lok Sabha Question No. 2365 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Female Researchers
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2365 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.3.2023

## FEMALE RESEARCHERS

## 2365.    DR. BEESETTI VENKATA SATYAVATHI:

Will  the  Minister  of  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a)      the  details  of  the  total  number  of  female  researchers  including  the percentage of total researchers in the field of science and technology;
- (b)      whether the Government is aware that the number of female researchers in the country is much lower than in advanced countries, if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to address the issue;
- (c)       whether  the  Government  proposes  to  enhance  the  incentives  and scholarships for females to increase the number of female researchers in the country; and
- (d)       if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ तथा पृ Øवी ͪव£ान मंğालय क े राÏय मंğी ( èवतंğ Ĥभार) (डॉ . िजतɅġ ͧसंह)

- (a)  As  per  the  latest  available  R&D  statistics,  the  total  number  of  female researchers (FTE) is 56747 which is 16.6% of total researchers (FTE) in the country.
- (b) Yes Sir. Government is aware that the number of female researchers in the country is much lower than that in the advanced countries. The government
- has taken several steps to increase the number of female researchers in the

country which includes implementation of women scientist specific schemes of Department of Science and Technology (DST) to provide opportunities to women  scientists  and  technologists,  especially  those  who  had  a  break  in career  under  its  three  components  namely,  i)  Women  Scientists  Scheme-A (WOS-A)  for  conducting  research  in  Basic  &  Applied  Sciences,  ii)  Women Scientists Scheme-B (WOS-B) for research that entail S&T interventions for societal benefit, and iii) Women Scientists Scheme-C (WOS-C) for internship in Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs). The 'Consolidation of University Research through Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities (CURIE)' Programme of DST provides support for development of research infrastructure in women universities  to  encourage  women's  participation  in  R&D  activities.  Another new  initiative,  'Gender  Advancement  for  Transforming  Institutions  (GATI)' aims  to  transform  institutions  for  more  gender  sensitive  approach  and inclusiveness  with  ultimate  goal  to  improve  the  gender  equity  in  STEMM (Science, Technology Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine). The WISE-Post Doctoral  Fellowship  Programme  has  been  initiated  to  support  research  in basic  and  applied  sciences  for  women  of  age  group  of  27-60  years  having doctoral  degrees.  The  Science  and  Engineering  Research  Borad  (SERB),  a statutory body under DST has been implementing 'SERB-POWER (Promoting Opportunities  for  Women  in  Exploratory  Research)'  to  mitigate  the  gender disparity in science and engineering research funding in various S&T programs in Indian academic  institutions and research and  development  (R&D) laboratories; 'SERB-POWER Mobility Grant' for capacity building, knowledge, and skill enhancement of women scientists and technologists; "SERB Women Excellence Research Grant" for young women scientists (below age 40), etc.

(c) & (d) There is no such proposal to enhance the incentives and scholarships for female researchers, as of now. However, the government has been making concerted  efforts  to  increase  the  opportunities  for  women  researchers through  implementation  of  different  schemes/programmes  such  as  SERBPOWER scheme and WISE-PDF scheme of DST, etc. launched recently.

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