Advancing Participation of Women in STEM Courses in the Higher Educational Institutions in India

The higher education and research in universities and institutions of eminence are considered as key drivers for empowerment of society and social change. In this context, university institutions can play a pivotal role for promoting gender equality, diversity, justice, social inclusion. India is successfully moving forward towards closing the gender equality gap in its HEIs through policy interventions and good governance. The higher enrolment ratio of women enhances their living standards as well as decision-making powers in the society. While there is an increasing trend of enrolment of female students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses are seen in India for the last few years, their participation in the workforce remains low. The secondary data from All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) conducted by the Government of India for the last 10 years from 2010-11 to 2019-20 has been used for analysis. The present study is aimed to examine the trends in enrolment of female students with a special reference to the fields of STEM. The paper will help the researchers and practitioners engaged in public policy or higher education in understanding the moving trends of society and its pace towards gender equality in India.