Lok Sabha Question No. 557 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Women Scientists
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: George Baker

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

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No.557

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20/07/2016

## WOMEN SCIENTISTS

## 557. SHRI GEORGE BAKER:

## Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of women scientists working in various research institutions, State/Union Territorywise;
- (b) whether there is a shortage of women scientists in the country or women are lagging behind in this field;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the action taken by the Government to improve the participation of women scientists in this field?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND  TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI Y.S. CHOWDARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó (gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

- (a) As per the latest Official Statistics available (2011-12), out of 1.93 lakh persons in Research & Development, only 27532 women scientists are directly  engaged  in  R&D  activities  at  various  research institutions,  which  constitute  14.3%  of  the  total.  The  State/Union  Territory  wise  data  is  not  being maintained by the Department.
- (b) & (c)   No, Madam.  Women are not lagging behind in this field.  They could be statistically less in number, which could possibly be on account of rigorous academic and research in the crucial stage of life, familial issues like marriage, family responsibility, relocation due to transferable job of spouse etc. These sometimes leads to dropout from higher studies, career break, overage for scientific jobs and prolonged absence from place of work or even resignation from the job.  The Draft National Policy for Women 2016 has taken cognizance of these issues.
- (d) Knowledge Involvement Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN) Programme is being implemented by the Department of Science & Technology to provide various career opportunities to women scientists. It is primarily aimed at gender parity in Science & Technology sector by inducting more women talent in the research & development domain through various programmes, namely, Fellowship Schemes for break-in career women scientists [i.e. Women Scientist Scheme-A (WOS-A), Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B) and Women  Scientist Scheme-C (WOS-C)], Institutional support through Consolidation of University Research through Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities (CURIE) scheme and Women Technology Parks (WTPs). In 2016-17, a new programme 'Mobility Scheme' has been launched under KIRAN to address relocation issue of working Women Scientists. Further, they are also encouraged to avail of capacity building schemes related to basic research, societal development and selfemployment.  Department  of  Science  &  Technology  has  also  constituted  'Standing  Committee  for Promoting Women in Science' in May, 2016.

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