Lok Sabha Question No. 242 (STARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Women in Science and Technology
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: OM PRAKASH YADAV, SANTOSH AHLAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.242 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03/08/2016

## WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## *242.  SHRI OM PRAKASH YADAV: SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ A´ÉÆ |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether women's representation and participation in national science academies remains insignificant as per a study report recently released by global survey of science academies and gender and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the number of researchers have declined during the last three years and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the policy for promotion of women in science academies has not achieved the desired result and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to have a relook at the extant policy and follow-up with necessary corrective measures to promote 'women in science' and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ A´ÉÆ |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ +ÉÉè® {Éßl´ÉÉÒ ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ (bÉ. c­ÉÇ ´ÉvÉÇxÉ)

(a) to (d):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  AS  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.242 FOR 03/08/2016 REGARDING WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

(a) No, Madam. Women representation and their participation in national science academies in India is steadily increasing though it is still not at par with their male counterparts. The study report recently released by global survey of science academies and gender has not taken into account  output  of  all  science  academies  of  India  and  missed  out  the  performance  of  Indian Academy of Science (IAS), Bangalore, National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), Allahabad and Indian National Academy of Engineers (INAE), New Delhi. Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi is the only Indian academy that the said report has referred to. NASI  has reported that the percentage of women scientists elected as Fellows in last three years (2013-15) is approx 20 per cent which is significantly higher than the global average. In addition, there are presently 34 women fellows of INSA and 4 women on its Council. Further, 16 women were selected for INSA Medal for Young Scientists in last 3 years while 6 have been chosen in 2016. Also, there are 3 women scientists on IAS Council and about 20 per cent women scientist represented on its Sectional Committee. Also, 49.47 per cent women have enrolled for PhD programme in 2013-14 and 50.09 per cent in 2014-15.

(b) No, Madam. The number of women opting for higher studies and research in science has been steadily on the rise. Girl students have been consistently outperforming the boys. University Grants Commission (UGC) has reported that there are 51% females and 49% males pursuing post graduate studies in universities in India.

No, Madam. The number of women opting for higher studies and research in science has been steadily  on  the  rise.  Girl  students  have  been  consistently  outperforming  the  boys.  University Grants Commission (UGC) has reported that there are 51% females and 49% males pursuing post graduate studies in universities in India.

(c) No, Madam. The national academics are striving hard to promote women in science in India. An Ínter Academy Panel for the Women in Science in India', constituted in the year 2015 to  promote the status  of women in science in India, has prepared a 'Vision Document' which scheduled for release in August 2016. Indian Academy of Sciences (IAS), Bangalore, too has a panel on 'Women in Science'. A publication titled 'A Girl' Guide to Life in Science' was also brought out in 2012, to inspire & enthuse young girls to take up research. National Academy of Sciences,  India  (NASI)  has  focused  on  many  activities  to  benefit  women  in  science.  Besides publishing a compendium on 'Novel Laureate Women Scientists' in 2008, NASI has instituted a Chair for a distinguished women scientists and several awards exclusively for women. The Indian National  Science  Academy  (INSA)  also  continues  to  promote  the  strengthening  of  women  in science.

(d) Government has been continuously striving to usher in gender parity in science and firm measures are being taken to ensure greater and lasting participation of women in science. The Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2013 enunciates, 'the participation of women in STI  activities  is  important.  New  and  flexible  schemes  to  address  the  mobility  challenges  of employed women scientists and technologists will be put in place. A broad scope for re-entry of women in  R&D  and  facilitation  mechanisms  for  special  career  path  in  diverse  areas  will  be sought.' In 2016, Department of Science & Technology (DST) constituted a Standing Committee for  Promoting  Women  in  Science  which  has  on  board  several  eminent  researchers  and academicians (a copy of the Memorandum is placed as Annexure-I). Its first meeting was held in May 2016 at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore in which various challenges being faced by women in pursuing higher studies and career in science were flagged and deliberations were held to  find  lasting  solutions  to  the  same.  DST  has  also  launched  'Mobility'  scheme  to  address  the challenges facing women on relocation.

To all concerned

## SR/KIRAN/01/2016 Government of India Ministry of Science & Technology Department of Science & Technology

## Technology Bhawan, New Delhi-110016

## Office Memorandum

Subject: Constitution of Standing Committee for Promoting Women in Science.

A  low  representation  of  women  in  Science  &  Technology  (S&T)  in  planning  and  policy making is a matter of concern. In recent years, though there has been significant increase in  enrolment  of  women  in  (S&T)  at  all  level,  yet  women  are  still  not  getting  enough opportunities in academic institutions, R&D  laboratories and S&T organizations. Department of Science and Technology (DST) has been making concerted efforts to identify issues facing women  in  science  and  to  address  them  in  order  to  bring greater representation of women in science. Adoption and execution of Women Component Plan, formulation of gender specific schemes, constitution of Task Force, gender budgeting, etc. are various efforts made by DST in this direction.

2. In continuation of the above and as per action point of Record of Discussions (RoD) of the meeting the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India had with Scientists on 19.08.2015, a Standing Committee has been constituted. Composition of Standing Committee is annexed with this OM.
3. The Standing Committee would take proactive measures to identify and correct any imbalances that still persist and hinder women in S&T.
4. The  terms  of  reference  of  the  Standing  Committee  are inter  alia .  The  Standing Committee will:
- i) Make endeavours for creating gender enabling environment in S&T institutions.
5. ii) Recommend special measures to ensure growth of women in science.
6. iii) Recommend  programmes  designed  specifically  for  fostering  utilizing  and supporting women in science, and
7. iv) Monitor periodically implementation of its various recommendations.
5. The  members  of  Standing  Committee  shall  be  paid  TA  and  honorarium  as  per Government of India norms.
6. This is issued with the approval of Secretary, DST, vide Dy. No E-P-540 dated 2.3.2016 and by JS & FA, DST.

Sd/ (Chander Mohan) Scientist-G, Head-KIRAN

Dated: 11 March 2016

## Standing Committee Composition for Promoting Women in Science

|   1. | Prof. HS Savithri, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012                                              | Chairperson      |
|------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|
|    2 | Prof. Lakshmi Kantam, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai-400019                                         |                  |
|    3 | Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, DG, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi-110029                              |                  |
|    4 | Prof. Sulabha Kulkarni, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune-411008               |                  |
|    5 | Dr Madhu Dixit, Director, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow-226031                                     |                  |
|    6 | Prof. Asha Kishore, Director, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science &Technology, Trivandrum-695011 |                  |
|    7 | Prof. Rohini Godbole, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012                                           |                  |
|    8 | Prof. Neeta Singh, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi-110029                          |                  |
|    9 | Prof. Sumita Jha, University of Calcutta, Kolkata-700073                                                      |                  |
|   10 | Dr. Tessy Thomas, ASL, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad-500058                          |                  |
|   11 | Prof. Shobhana Narasimhan Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore-560064          |                  |
|   12 | Prof. AN Rai, Former VC, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong-793022                                       |                  |
|   13 | Prof. Aditya Shastri, VC, Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Banasthali-304022                                            |                  |
|   14 | Prof. Y Narasimhulu, VC, Rayalseema University, Karnool-518007                                                |                  |
|   15 | Prof. TP Singh, Former Professor at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029                 |                  |
|   16 | Prof. AP Dash, VC, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur-610101                                        |                  |
|   17 | Dr. HB Singh, DST, New Delhi-110016                                                                           | Member Secretary |
|   18 | Dr. Vandana Singh, DST, New Delhi-110016                                                                      | Convener         |

********