Lok Sabha Question No. 158 (STARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Permanent Academic Positions held by Women
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Sanjeev Kumar Singari

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 158 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2023

## Permanent Academic Positions held by Women

## *158. DR. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI:

- 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  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor; (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to increase the gender diversity at these positions; (d) whether the Government is planning to launch a policy to prioritize recruitment of women in such institutions; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (A)  TO  (E)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 158 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2023 ASKED BY DR. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING 'PERMANENT ACADEMIC POSITIONS HELD BY WOMEN'

(a)  &  (b)  As  per  the  All  India  Survey  on  Higher  Education  (AISHE)  2020-21,  84,226 Females  and  1,40,221  Males,  are  reported  in  permanent  academic  positions  (includes Professor & Equivalent, Reader & Associate, Lecturer/Assistant Professor, Demonstrator/Tutor) in the Universities/Institutions like Universities in the country. Of these, 3008 Females and 7173 Males are reported in permanent academic positions in the Institutes of Eminence.

Notably, there is 61.3% increase (from 52,216 in 2016-17 to 84,226 in 2020-21), in the number of Females reported in permanent academic positions in Universities/, Institutions like Universities since 2016-17.

The ratio of Females to Males in permanent academic positions has also increased to 60 in 2020-21 from 53 in 2016-17.

(c) to (e) 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  of education has been envisaged through various Schemes/Scholarships/Fellowships and proactive  measures  aimed  at  Female  students/scholars.    This  in  turn  translates  into  more candidates available for academic positions in Higher Education.

The  following  initiatives/welfare  measures  for  greater  Female  participation  and gender diversity in academic positions are mentioned :-

- i. Post-Doctoral fellowship for women- The objective of the scheme is to accelerate the talented instincts of the women candidates to carry out the advanced studies and research. The  financial assistance  is  provided  to  unemployed  women candidates holding Ph.D. Degree.
- ii. Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child- The objective of the scheme is to encourage higher education of single girl child pursuing Ph.D. in any stream/subjects.
- iii. P.G. Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child-The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to selected candidates being Single Girl Child for pursuing post-graduation on full time/regular basis in Universities/Institutes/Colleges in India.
- iv. Pragati  Scholarship  Scheme:-  The  scheme  provides  scholarship  for    women students pursuing polytechnic, engineering, pharmacy and architecture courses (in All India Council for Technical Education [AICTE] approved institutions), whose family income is less than Rs. 8 Lakh per annum.
- v. Campus  Accommodation  &  Facilities  Enhancing  Social  Experience  (CAFES):The  scheme  of  AICTE  aims  to  provide  financial  assistance  for  construction  of hostel for Girls SC/ST.
- vi. University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  exempted  women  candidates  from payment  of  fees  to  any  examinations/  Test/  Interview  conducted  by  Centrally Educational Institutions, to increase the representation of women in employment under Central Government/ Central Autonomous Bodies.
- vii. Further, UGC Regulations provides that a women academician shall be nominated by the Vice Chancellor in the Selection Committee of the Recruitment process, if there is any woman candidate.
- viii. The UGC has allowed a relaxation of two years for Ph.D. for women.
- ix. Women candidates may be provided Maternity Leave/Child Care Leave once in the entire duration of M.Phil./Ph.D. for up to 240 days.
- x. In  case  of  relocation  of  an  M.Phil/  Ph.D.  woman  scholar  due  to  marriage  or otherwise, the research data shall be allowed to be transferred to the University to which the scholar intends to relocate provided the research work does not pertain to a project sanctioned to the parent Institution/Supervisor by any funding agency.

The  initiatives  of  the  Government  has  facilitated  a  tremendous  increase  of  60%  in Female PhDs enrolment, from 59,242 in 2016-17 to 95,088 in 2020-21. This would provide more opportunities for women for academic positions in Higher Education.

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