Struggle to move from symbolic presence to effective leadership
India has made remarkable progress in science and technology over the past few decades. Indian scientists are recognized globally in areas such as the space program, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and nanotechnology. Women’s participation in this journey has proven to be more than merely formal, but rather concrete and effective. The contributions of Dr. Tessy Thomas, known as the Missile Woman, or the Chandrayaan-3 mission’s female scientists Kalpana Kalahasti and Ritu Karidhal are vivid examples of this. This demonstrates that the role of Indian women scientists is no longer merely symbolic; they have become the driving force behind real change.
Yet, the other side of the picture is worrying. While the number of girls studying science and technology in India is large, this number steadily declines as they reach research and leadership positions. This trend is known as the “leaky pipeline.” The 2022 report of the All India Survey on Higher Education shows that women’s participation in science and technology at the graduate level is approximately 43 percent. This figure would be a matter of pride for any country. However, when these same girls pursue research and development, only 14 percent remain in this field. Furthermore, the number of female faculty in higher education institutions is limited to approximately 15 percent. The country’s most prestigious institutions, such as the IITs, IISc, or CSIR, have never been headed by a woman.
Inequality is also evident in the world of scientific awards and recognition. Of the more than six hundred Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes awarded until 2023, only sixteen were awarded to women scientists. This data suggests that while women enter science and technology with equal enthusiasm at the initial stage, as responsibilities and pressures increase, their numbers dwindle. This is the leakage that undermines national excellence.
This leakage has many layers. Motherhood and family responsibilities impact women’s careers the most. Long working hours, high-pressure projects, and a lack of flexible options lead many talented women to drop out. Institutional structures also remain male-dominated. Promotion and leadership positions in universities and research institutes are difficult for women. Informal networks, social biases, and gender stereotypes further exacerbate this difficulty.
Funding and recognition are also a major challenge. Women are often given less priority in research grants, limiting the direction of their projects and the potential for innovation. Social perceptions also consider science a male-dominated field, often discouraging girls from pursuing it. Even if a woman takes a career break, re-entry becomes extremely difficult. While the Department of Science and Technology’s Women Scientists Scheme exists, its reach remains limited.
This problem not only hinders women’s individual achievements, but is also deeply linked to India’s future. As India resolves to fulfill the dream of a developed India, ignoring the participation of half the population in scientific innovation and research could prove self-defeating. The World Bank estimates that increasing women’s participation in science and technology could generate an additional $700 billion in growth for the Indian economy by 2025. If women contribute equally to the fields of artificial intelligence, clean energy, biotechnology, and digital technology, India’s global competitiveness will automatically increase.
It’s also a question of India’s global image. Concrete steps towards gender equality are consistent with India’s international commitments and leadership aspirations. When Indian women scientists speak on global issues like climate change at international forums, it becomes a symbol of India’s credibility. Furthermore, it’s a question of the aspirations of future generations. If we ensure equal opportunities for women in science today, tomorrow our daughters will be filled with confidence and will consider science a field of choice.
The government has taken some positive steps. Initiatives such as the Department of Science and Technology’s Kiran Scheme, the Women Scientists Scheme, and the SERB Power Fellowship have been created to encourage young women researchers. ISRO and DRDO have implemented flexible working hours, extended maternity leave, and work-from-home options. Gender sensitivity committees have also been formed in many institutions. But this remains insufficient. There is a need to expand the reach of these schemes and implement them effectively.
The way forward is to establish minimum representation thresholds for women in research institutes and universities. Ensure special funding for women-led projects. Ease re-entry after career breaks and provide increased re-entry fellowships. Build mentoring bridges between senior women scientists and new researchers. Above all, change the mindset of society. Families and society must accept that science is not a domain of men, but of everyone.
Women in Indian science have progressed beyond a symbolic presence, but many barriers to leadership remain. These barriers are not only a personal loss but also a national one. If India is to become a knowledge power, this leakage must be stopped. True innovation and excellence are possible only when men and women stand shoulder to shoulder as equals in laboratories, universities, and research institutes. This is not just a question of equal opportunity, but also of India’s scientific future and global competitiveness.
Author is a Research Scholar in Political Science. She can be mailed at priyankasaurabh9416@gmail.com
