The All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) reports that women's enrolment in higher education has increased to 48.6% in 2018-19, but the percentage of women enrolled in some STEM subjects is still significantly low. To address this difference, the Indian government has created extra places which have increased women enrolment in NITs from 14.17% in 2017 -18 to 17.53% in 2019-20 and from 8% in 2016 to 18% 2019-20 in IITs in the B.Tech programme. There are other initiatives by the government to support women in higher education such as extra relaxation to women candidates in MPhil and PhD programmes and extension of maternity leave among others.

The Government has also taken initiative to provide assistance to women scientists in the STEM field by launching a helpline number. Other new launches to empower women in science are Vigyan Jyoti (to encourage high school girl students to opt for STEM subjects), Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI, a framework for assessing gender inequality in STEM) and an online portal for science and technology resources for women.

There is strong possibility we will have more women pursuing STEM subjects in coming years which could bring stronger gender parity.

If you have any questions please write to Aatreyee Guha Thakurta (Regional Marketing and Communications Manager, International Education Services, South Asia).

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Enhancing gender equality in India’s higher education| Opinion

Govt launches Vigyan Jyoti, GATI, helpline number & web portal for women in science