Lok Sabha Question No. 2988 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-21
Subject: Women Opting STEM
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Kuruva Gorantla Madhav, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2988 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2022

## Women Opting STEM

## 2988. SHRI KURUVA GORANTLA MADHAV: SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number of women in the country opting for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in 2019-20 ;
- (b) the  number  of  such  women  pursuing  doctoral  studies  at  major  science  institutes  in  the country ;
- (c) the measures taken/being taken by the Government for recruitment of women graduates in STEM related jobs;
- (d) whether there is disparity in number of female professors in major science institutes as compared with male professors; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## ANSWER (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

- (a) &  (b)  As  per  All  India  Survey  on  Higher  Education  (AISHE)  2019-20,  the  total numbers of female students enrolled at various levels (UG, PG, M.Phil & Ph.D) of higher education in STEM fields across the country is 43,65,928. Out of this, 41,296 females are enrolled in Ph.D.
- (c) to (e) As per AISHE 2019-20, the number of female and male teachers in STEM field is  1,98,514  and  3,53,259  respectively.  In  order  to  promote  more  women  in  STEM field, Government has taken a number of initiatives.

The enrolment of female students in B.Tech programmes in Indian Institutes of Technology  (IITs)  has  increased  from  8%  in  the  year  2016  to  19.72%  in  the  year 2021, by creating supernumerary seats. Similarly the enrolment of female students in B.Tech  programmes  in  National  Institutes  of  Technology  (NITs)  has  increased  to nearly  23%.  This  makes  more  women  job  ready  and  it  also  increases  the  pool  of quality female candidates for professorship.

Further, Pragati Scholarship Scheme of Department of Higher Education is being implemented by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), under which a total of 10,000 scholarships are disbursed every year from the year 2020-21 among meritorious girl students for pursuing technical education at degree/diploma level in STEM field in 23 States/UTs. In addition to this AICTE is providing scholarship to all  eligible  girl  students  from  remaining  13  States/UTs  which  includes  States  from North Eastern Region, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh etc. An amount of Rs. 50,000/per annum is given to candidate as per this scheme.

Department of Science and Technology has also taken several steps to increase the participation of women in STEM  for higher education. This includes implementation of women exclusive schemes like 'Knowledge Involvement Research  Advancement  through  Nurturing  (KIRAN)',  Indo-US  Fellowship  for Women in STEMM' (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine), 'Consolidation of University Research through Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities (CURIE)', 'Vigyan Jyoti' for meritorious girl students of Class 9 to 12, 'Gender  Advancement  for  Transforming  Institutions  (GATI)'.  In  addition,  the Department  of  Science  and  Technology  has  launched  the  Innovation  in  Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Scheme to enhance rates of attachment of talented  youths  to  undertake  higher  education  in  science  intensive  programmes  by providing Scholarships/Fellowships for various age-group of women.