Archive · 29 Nov 2025
Women Scientists Double in STEM Workforce Since 2014
There are now twice as many women scientists in India as there were in 2014.
Women make up 18.6% of the workforce in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
This increase is because of government programs like INSPIRE, WISE-KIRAN, and Vigyan Jyoti.
For example, the number of women in the Inspire Manak scheme went from zero before 2014 to over 1.7 lakh between 2014 and 2025.
Similarly, the number of women in the Inspire Fellowship more than doubled.
The government says these programs help women enter and succeed in research careers.
More women are now leading research projects, with their participation in extramural R&D projects rising to 25% in 2019-20 from 13% in 2000-2001.
Women scientists in India have doubled since 2014, now making up 18.6% of the STEM workforce.
Government schemes like INSPIRE, WISE-KIRAN, and Vigyan Jyoti have significantly increased women's participation in STEM.
The number of women participants in the Inspire Manak scheme rose from zero before 2014 to 1,76,743 between 2014 and 2025.
Women's participation in extramural R&D projects has almost doubled over the last two decades, reaching 25% in 2019-20.
The government attributes this progress to its sustained efforts in enabling women to enter and excel in research careers.
- Who
- Women scientists in India
- What
- Increase in the number of women scientists in STEM fields
- When
- Since 2014, with data up to 2025
- Where
- India
- Why
- Due to government schemes and initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Current Percentage of Women in STEM
- 18.6%
- Increase in Women Scientists Since 2014
- Doubled
- Inspire Manak Women Participants (2014-2025)
- 1,76,743
- Inspire Scholarship Women Participants (2014-2025)
- 50,642
- Inspire Fellowship Women Participants (2014-2025)
- 5,035
- WISE Women Participants (2014-2025)
- 4,419
- Women in Extramural R&D Projects (2019-20)
- 25%
- Women in Extramural R&D Projects (2000-2001)
- 13%