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Women in STEM Pioneering Progress

Published By : Admin | February 9, 2024 | 12:45 IST

Before 2014, if one were told to think of a scientist it would most likely be a man. That was the time when engineering was typically thought if as a male-dominated profession. If you ask the same question now, even a child will be able to envision and name women scientists who are creating ripples of change in several ways.

In the vibrant landscape of India's scientific evolution, more girls are dreaming of becoming scientists, and their innovation and resilience are taking shape through their transformative contributions in STEM.

Some Remarkable Achievements of Indian Women in Science

The Beating the Retreat Ceremony in 2022 saw 1,000 indigenized drones swarming in the sky on the eve of beating the Retreat ceremony when a drone show by women-led M/s Botlab Dynamics, proudly positioned India at fourth place on the globe. In the 90th episode of Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi mentioned a women-led startup M/s Astrome Technologies Private Limited, Bengaluru proposed an Innovative Wireless Product to solve Internet connectivity issues of rural India.


From the days when a girl could only dream of becoming an astronaut like Kalpana Chawla, to women scientists leading Moon missions, India has come a long way. Today, nearly 43% of STEM graduates in India are women. However, this mammoth change has not happened overnight. Years of implementation of several government schemes for women have led this change towards a more positive mindset towards women in science.

Women in the Space Sector

Across diverse backgrounds, women have spearheaded change in the space sector, leaving an indelible mark with notable contributions.

Swati Mohan, an Indian-American scientist, led the Mars Orbiter Mission's guidance, navigation and control operations in 2020. Chandrayaan-2, India's second lunar mission, witnessed leadership from ISRO's women scientists, Vanitha Muthayya as project director and Ritu Karidhal as mission director. In the 104th episode of Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi noted the contribution of women scientists and engineers involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission and said, “In the success of Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, our women scientists, the country's Nari Shakti have played a big role”. When women garner such appreciation, it is motivating for not just these women to diligently work towards what they’re contributing, it also paves the way for girls who strive to achieve something in the sector in the future.

Supporting Women in Science

Today, schemes are being implemented to encourage girls and women to pursue science right from school to even after graduation and marriage. Some such schemes and their impact will be discussed in the following section.

The I-STEM (Indian Science Technology and Engineering Facilities Map) program is focused on bridging gender disparities and aims to amplify women's engagement in science, engineering, and technology, as well as their achievements and continuity in education and professions within these fields. The initiative aspires to fortify nations in delivering education that is attuned to gender-specific needs.

The Vigyan Jyoti program is being implemented in 100 schools in rural areas. It aims to inspire and support accomplished female students in grades 9 to 12 to pursue advanced education and careers in STEM disciplines. More than 30,000 girls from 200 districts have benefitted from various interventions under the programme. This scheme involves guidance and support starting from the ninth grade and extends throughout the academic journey, up to the doctoral level. Around 1,820 tribal girls have benefited under the Vigyan Jyoti Programme.

The Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) is an innovative Pilot Project launched by the Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN division of the Department of Science and Technology in 2020. It seeks to propel higher education and research institutions toward fostering diversity and inclusion, with a focus on women's equal participation in STEM disciplines.

Some Remarkable Achievements of Indian Women in Science

As of December 2022, approximately 370 women scientists were granted Research Support under the Women Scientists Scheme-A (WOS-A) across five subject areas in Basic and Applied Sciences, enabling them to pursue research after a career break. 99 women scientists received training in Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), while 25 Women PG Colleges were beneficiaries of the Research Infrastructure Support through the CURIE (Consolidation of University Research for Innovation and Excellence) Programme.

From 6.88 lakh girls in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas to 20% female enrollment in IITs (2021-22), the trajectory showcases women's fearless pursuit of STEM careers, it is not surprising to see that women are choosing to pursue a career in STEM. This has been a result of the positive encouragement through a changing mindset in society with more familial support and through a myriad of schemes being implemented by the government that have led Nari Shakti to fearlessly choose this path and help transform India.

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6 Years of Jal Jeevan Mission: Transforming Lives, One Tap at a Time
August 14, 2025
Jal Jeevan Mission has become a major development parameter to provide water to every household.” - PM Narendra Modi

For generations, the sight of women carrying pots of water on their heads was an everyday scene in rural India. It was more than a chore, it was a necessity that was an integral part of their everyday life. The water was brought back, often just one or two pots which had to be stretched for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and washing. It was a routine that left little time for rest, education, or income-generating work, and the burden fell most heavily on women.

Before 2014 water scarcity, one of India’s most pressing problems, was met with little urgency or vision. Access to safe drinking water was fragmented, villages relied on distant sources, and nationwide household tap connections were seen as unrealistic.

This reality began to shift in 2019, when the Government of India launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). A centrally sponsored initiative which aims at providing a Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household. At that time, only 3.2 crore rural households, a modest 16.7% of the total, had tap water. The rest still depended on community sources, often far from home.

As of July 2025, the progress under the Har Ghar Jal program has been exceptional, with 12.5 crore additional rural households connected, bringing the total to over 15.7 crore. The program has achieved 100% tap water coverage in 200 districts and over 2.6 lakh villages, with 8 states and 3 union territories now fully covered. For millions, this means not just access to water at home, but saved time, improved health, and restored dignity. Nearly 80% of tap water coverage has been achieved in 112 aspirational districts, a significant rise from less than 8%. Additionally, 59 lakh households in LWE districts have gained tap water connections, ensuring development reaches every corner. Acknowledging both the significant progress and the road ahead, the Union Budget 2025–26 announced the program’s extension until 2028 with an increased budget.

The Jal Jeevan Mission, launched nationally in 2019, traces its origins to Gujarat, where Narendra Modi, as Chief Minister, tackled water scarcity in the arid state through the Sujalam Sufalam initiative. This effort formed a blueprint for a mission that would one day aim to provide tap water to every rural household in India.

Though drinking water is a State subject, the Government of India has taken on the role of a committed partner, providing technical and financial support while empowering States to plan and implement local solutions. To keep the Mission on track, a strong monitoring system links Aadhaar for targeting, geo-tags assets, conducts third-party inspections, and uses IoT devices to track village water flow.

The Jal Jeevan Mission’s objectives are as much about people as they are about pipes. By prioritizing underserved and water-stressed areas, ensuring that schools, Anganwadi centres, and health facilities have running water, and encouraging local communities to take ownership through contributions or shramdaan, the Mission aims to make safe water everyone’s responsibility..

The impact reaches far beyond convenience. The World Health Organization estimates that achieving JJM’s targets could save over 5.5 crore hours each day, time that can now be spent on education, work, or family. 9 crore women no longer need to fetch water from outside. WHO also projects that safe water for all could prevent nearly 4 lakh deaths from diarrhoeal disease and save Rs. 8.2 lakh crores in health costs. Additionally, according to IIM Bangalore and the International Labour Organization, JJM has generated nearly 3 crore person-years of employment during its build-out, with nearly 25 lakh women are trained to use Field testing Kits.

From the quiet relief of a mother filling a glass of clean water in her kitchen, to the confidence of a school where children can drink without worry, the Jal Jeevan Mission is changing what it means to live in rural India.