Women in STEM and India’s Skills Revolution: Beyond Numbers and Narratives
✍️ By Suryavanshi IAS | 🗓️ 15 July 2025 – World Youth Skills Day
🌐 Context:
Despite India producing the highest percentage of female STEM graduates among major economies (43%), their workforce participation in STEM remains at just 27%. This paradox reveals deeper structural, social, and industrial barriers that need urgent attention.
🎯 Key Highlights from the Article:
Indicator | Data/Insight |
---|---|
% of women STEM graduates (India) | 43% (Highest among major economies) |
% of women in STEM workforce (India) | 27% |
Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) | 41.7% overall, but 25.4% in urban areas (PLFS 2023–24) |
GDP boost if 68 million more women employed | $700 billion by 2025 (McKinsey Global Institute) |
GDP growth from 50% female participation | +1% GDP (World Bank) |
📚 Relevant Government Initiatives:
Policy/Scheme | Focus Area |
---|---|
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 | Integration of STEM with skill development |
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao | Promoting girl child education |
Skill India Mission | Vocational and technical training for youth |
PM Vishwakarma Yojana | Skill recognition for traditional artisans |
Digital India Programme | Technology access & digital literacy |
Gender Budget (2025–26) | ₹4.49 lakh crore (8.8% of Union Budget) |
UN Women’s WeSTEM Programme | State-level skilling & mindset reform for STEM |
🧠 Challenges for Women in STEM:
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Stereotypes: “Mechanical means masculine”, “Coding isn’t for girls”
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Workplace barriers: Lack of safety, gender pay gap, inflexible policies
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Cultural constraints: Family pressures, caregiving responsibilities
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Pipeline leakage: Women drop out despite having skills
🏢 Industry’s Role: The Missing Link
The private sector must:
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Create structured internships & apprenticeships
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Facilitate career re-entry post-maternity
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Promote mentorship & industry-academia linkages
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Ensure workplace safety & inclusive hiring policies
🟢 WeSTEM by UN Women is a strong model:
Focuses on community mindset shifts, access to role models, workplace safety, and family engagement.
🧾 UPSC Syllabus Mapping:
GS Paper I – Indian Society
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Role of women and women’s organizations
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Social empowerment and gender justice
GS Paper II – Governance, Social Justice
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Government policies and interventions
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Role of NGOs and civil society
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Issues relating to development and management of human resources
GS Paper III – Economic Development
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Inclusive growth and employment
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Skill development and demographic dividend
📝 UPSC Mains Practice Question:
🔸 GS II:
Q. Despite increasing enrolment in STEM education, female workforce participation in the STEM sector remains low. Examine the factors responsible and suggest reforms involving government and industry.
(250 words)
❓ UPSC Prelims Practice Questions:
Q1. With reference to India’s female labour force participation, consider the following statements:
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India has the highest percentage of female STEM graduates among G20 nations.
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The urban female labour force participation is higher than rural participation.
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The FLFPR in 2023–24 was above 50%.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
A) 1 only ✅
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) All of the above
📝 Explanation: Statement 2 is false — rural FLFPR (47.6%) is higher than urban (25.4%). Statement 3 is also false — overall FLFPR is 41.7%.
Q2. The term “WeSTEM” recently seen in the news relates to:
A) A government portal for women in mining
B) A public-private initiative to skill women in STEM fields ✅
C) A United Nations programme on water sanitation
D) A scheme to empower transgender scientists
📝 Explanation: WeSTEM is a UN Women-led skilling initiative, implemented with state governments and private foundations to support women in STEM.
🔖 Keywords for Notes:
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STEM Paradox in India
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NEP 2020 and Women’s Skills
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WeSTEM Programme
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FLFPR India 2023–24
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Gender Budget 2025–26
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Skill India and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
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Social Stereotypes and Skilling Gap
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Private Sector in Skill Ecosystem
✅ Conclusion by Suryavanshi IAS:
The road to a Viksit Bharat cannot be built on a half-utilised workforce. The investment in STEM skills for women is not just a gender issue — it is an economic imperative. India has the talent, the intent, and the policy — what we now need is industry-led enablement.
🧬 Empowered girls in labs today will be India’s innovators tomorrow.
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