Two books - Lilavati's Daughters (2008) and Lab Hopping (2023) highlight the complicated relationship between science and gender in India.

Some notable women scientists of India- Anandibai Joshi (India's first woman physician), Iravati Karve (India's first woman anthropologist), Anna Mani (India's first woman meteorologist), Dr. N Kalaiselvi (currently head of CSIR), V R Lalithambika (leading the Gaganyaan Mission)

Recent data reports reveal that India has 16.6% of women researchers in Research and Development Activities.

Obstacles that hold back women:

• Deeply entrenched patriarchy.
• Institutional apathy.
• Poor working conditions.
• Cases of Sexual Harassment.
• Dual shift of labour.
• Familial and Social Expectations.

Result: 

Dropouts from higher studies, forced resignation, and mental pressure.

Government has taken several corrective steps:

1. Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN) Scheme - to advance women in the field of science and technology. It provides career opportunities to those women who especially had a break in their career and also addressing relocation issues and provides support over a period of 2-5 years.
2. Consolidation of University Research through Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities (CURIE) Programme.
3. Indo-US Fellowship for Women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) encouraging women to undertake international collaborative research.
4. Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-Orientation Programme (BioCARe) of the Department of Biotechnology.
5. Vigyan Jyoti Scheme - encourages students of Class IX and XII to pursue education and a career in S&T.
6. Women entrepreneurship has been encouraged under Start-Up India-Stand Up India.

India will actually both economic and spiritual growth only when the females of the country are also levelled equally and the true beginning of 'AMRIT Kaal'.

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Reference:

• insightsindia.com