Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) has long been a field that was dominated by men but now there is a shift in this trend and now it is moving more towards gender equality in STEM fields. Now there are many careers and stem jobs for women india focusing towards shaping future of women in India and the opportunities will keep on growing
In this blog, you will explore STEM scholarships for women, STEM education opportunities India, government policies for women in STEM, career opportunities and many more.
The State of Women in STEM 2025:
India has many women scientists and innovators like Dr. Tessy Thomas, known as the “Missile Woman of India,”, Dr. Indira Hinduja, a pioneer in reproductive medicine. In today’s times, the Indian women leaders in STEM are rapidly growing. Many Institutes are focusing on ensuring that women have a successful career in STEM.
According to reports, India produces many female STEM graduates globally, but still their participation in STEM jobs remains lower. This highlights how important STEM education opportunities India, scholarships, and policies are. They help in bridging the gap between education and employment.
Stem Scholarships for STEM in 2025:
Here are the best scholarships for girls in stem and international stem scholarships 2025:
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Benefit | Notes/Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Progress Akanksha Scholarship | Undergraduate women in CS, IT, software | Up to INR 1,50,000 annually | Application were open till 11th April |
| L’Oréal “For Young Women in Science | Women pursuing scientific degrees | Provides NR 2,50,000 (approx) to support college fees | Encourages women from disadvantaged backgrounds |
| [AICTE Pragati Scholarship](https://www.aicte-india.org/schemes/students-development-schemes/Pragati/General-Instructions) | Female students in AICTE-approved courses | Tuition support, contingency allowance | For meritorious girls in technical course |
| SWE India Academic Scholarships | Women in engineering, CS, tech (India) | Financial support for bachelor / master level | For 2025–26 academic year |
| DeTermined Scholarship (Duolingo + India PSA, | Indian women planning UG / PG STEM in the U.S. | USD 30,000 one-time grant | For Spring 2026 programs, apply by June 30, 2025 |
| [Zonta International Women in STEM Scholarship](https://www.zonta.org/Web/Web/Programs/Education/Women_in_STEM_Scholarship.aspx) | Global women in STEM | US$5,000 | Open internationally, supports students globally |
| [MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship](https://www.mpowerfinancing.com/scholarships/women-in-stem) | Female international students in STEM | Grand prize: US$5,000 + runner-up awards | For study in the U.S. / Canada |
| [Navisite India Steminist](https://www.navisite.com/navisites-next-steminist/) | Women enrolled full-time in STEM in India | INR 1,00,000 need-based award | Open in 2024, likely recurring |
STEM Education and Career Pathways for Women in India:
A) Education Opportunities and Interventions:
1. Vigyan Jyoti (DST): It is a program to mentor rural girls to pursue higher education in STEM.
2. WISE-KIRAN (DST): It addresses challenges at different career stages
3. GATI (Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions): It encourages institutions to adopt policies that retain women in STEM.
B) Career Paths:
There are many opportunities for career growth for women in science and many pathways for women in technology careers which are as follows:
a. Data science, AI, machine learning
b. Software engineering, full-stack development
c. Biotechnology, life sciences, bioinformatics
d. Renewable energy, climate science
e. Robotics, mechatronics, IoT, automation
f. Space & aerospace engineering
g. Research & academia
h. Tech product management, startup co founder roles
C) Career Growth Tips:
1. Mentorship: Seek guidance from experts to guide you in taking the right decision.
2. Networking: Network with as many people as you can so that you can meet people with more experience.
3. Upskilling: Today’s technology is changing rapidly. So learn as many skills as you can to keep yourself up to date
4. Visibility: Advocate for promotions or lead projects. This can increase your visibility in the organisation
5. Flexible policies: Choose such an organisation that can offer you remote work, child care support, etc.
Government Policies and Institutional Incentives:
Here are some initiatives for women engineers, and women in STEM:
1. WISE-KIRAN via DST: It is for gender equity in institutions
2. Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Policy 2013: It promotes gender parity and mentions programs like Vigyan Jyoti
3. Increased Gender Budget Allocation: The gender-focused budget share went from 6.8% in 2024–25 to 8.8% in 2025–26.
4. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): It supports incubators and innovation labs
5.Institutional reforms: Some premier institutes are redesigning the governance of student bodies and campus leadership. This will ensure more gender equality.
Challenges faced by Women in STEM:
1. Many women exit mid-career due to family responsibilities, lack of support, or bias.
2. Women often face stereotypes that STEM is “not for girls” or assumptions about family priorities.
3. Female professionals frequently face gaps in compensation and leadership roles.
4. In many fields, there are few senior women role models, which limits aspiration, motivation and guidance.
5. Many labs, institutions, and organizations lack childcare or flex policies.
FAQ’s
1. Which are some women scientists india 2025?
Ans: Some renowned women scientists are Tessy Thomas, Ritu Karidhal, Gagandeep Kang, etc.
2. How can women in STEM advance their careers in tech or research?
Ans: Women can upskill their skill set, improve their networking skills, seek mentors, take up leadership roles etc.
3. Why do many women in STEM drop out mid-career?
Ans: Some reasons include family responsibilities, lack of support, biasness, etc.
4. What government policies exist to support women in STEM in India?
Ans: Policies like WISE-KIRAN, GATI, CURIE, support women for STEM.