India tops global female STEM enrolment with 43% share

India has achieved the highest rate of female participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education globally, with women making up 43 per cent of all enrolments in such disciplines in the country.Government data sourced on the National Girl Child Day today reveals clear signs of India breaking the glass ceiling in high-end technical and science courses at a time when the world is struggling.The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, (UNESCO) says more girls are in school today than ever before, but they do not always have the same opportunities as boys to complete and benefit from an education of their choice.“Too many girls and women are held back by biases, social norms and expectations influencing the quality of the education they receive and the subjects they study. They are particularly under-represented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education — women make up only 35 per cent of STEM graduates, figure unchanged in 10 years — and consequently, in STEM careers,” the latest UNESCO assessment points out.India has now reported 43 per cent women enrolment in STEM segments. This is way higher than the 35 per cent global average.Between 2024 and 2025, out of 13,727 scholars in STEM subjects, 7,293 were women, which is more than half (53 per cent) of all fellows.“To boost female enrolment in STEM, supernumerary seats have been introduced for women in IITs and NITs. This model has improved gender diversity across higher education institutions in the country,” the Ministry of Women and Child Development said today, quoting the All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), an Education Ministry estimation.WCD Minister Annapurna Devi said ensuring women’s education and security was the hallmark of a strong nation.“On the National Girl Child Day, let us all pledge to give every girl the opportunity to realise her dreams and create a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for her to grow with confidence,” she said on X.AISHE report signals positives for women on many fronts — female postgraduate enrolment has grown substantially from 2014-15 to 2022-23.It rose from 19,86,296 to 32,02,950, reflecting an absolute rise of 12,16,654 students and a 61.3 per cent growth rate.“Between 2014-15 and 2022-23, PhD enrolment among females has shown a remarkable growth. Female PhD enrolment increased from 47,717 in 2014-15 to 1,12,441 in 2022-23, registering a rise of 64,724 candidates and a growth of about 135.6 per cent,” it said.

India tops global female STEM enrolment with 43% share

World average, as per UNESCO, is 35 per cent

Surya S Pillai

Tribune News Service

India tops global female STEM enrolment with 43% share

World average, as per UNESCO, is 35 per cent

Surya S Pillai

Tribune News Service

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