Girl Child Day | STEM scholarships for girls must be a national imperative

On National Girl Child Day, put the spotlight on a pressing issue: the underrepresentation of women in India’s STEM workforce

With an anticipated global growth rate of  8.8 per cent in STEM occupations from 2020 to 2030, India will play an important role by contributing 60-65 million jobs in information technology, digital communication, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and digital finance sectors. Although India accounts for 31.7 per cent of the global STEM graduates (43 per cent being women), the readiness of its girls to fulfil these roles remains alarmingly low, as women in India account for just 27 per cent of the STEM professionals.  

This disparity is not due to a lack of ability or ambition among girls but systemic barriers that begin early in their education. Financial constraints, societal norms, and limited access to resources disproportionately discourage young women from pursuing STEM fields. Furthermore, 86 per cent of Indian women aged 18–30 with higher secondary education come from non-technical backgrounds, underscoring the structural obstacles that prevent them from participating in this sector. Without intervention, India risks depriving itself of the immense potential of its young women to drive technological and economic growth.

One major reason is financial constraints. STEM education is significantly more expensive than other disciplines, putting it out of reach for many low-income families. There are stark gender disparities in household education spending, ranging from Rs 828 at the primary level to Rs 3,189 at the higher secondary level, with boys receiving a larger share of resources. The cost differential pushes many girls into non-technical streams, reinforcing gender inequities in education and, later, in the workforce.

High school marks a critical turning point. Research by Esther Duflo, Kremer and Dupas shows that rural youth in Ghana (which has similar settings to India) who received full scholarships completed high school 27 per cent more often and gained an additional 1.25 years of education. Financial barriers are a significant factor driving girls away from STEM at this stage. Additionally, studies emphasise that pursuing technical streams in higher secondary education directly influences the gender gap in labour market outcomes, highlighting the importance of interventions at this level.

The current scholarship system is selective and inaccessible for several needy students. Most programmes target high-performing students and overlook the socio-economic challenges that hinder many girls from excelling academically. According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023, over 25 per cent of 14-18-year-olds struggle to read Grade 2-level text, and more than 50 per cent face difficulties with basic arithmetic. These barriers disproportionately affect girls from poorer and marginalised backgrounds, leading to high dropout rates, particularly after Grade 8 when free education provisions end.

Public-private partnerships can play a transformative role in addressing these gaps. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds contribute ₹9,832 crore annually to education, the highest among sectors. However, much of this funding is concentrated on college education and states like Maharashtra and Karnataka. States like West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Punjab, where girls’ participation in STEM is far below the national average, remain underserved. Redirecting CSR funds to support scholarships for girls in high school science streams could significantly increase STEM participation in these regions.

The design of scholarships must also evolve. A 2024 study suggests that finance acts as one of the critical barriers inhibiting girls’ uptake of STEM at school levels. It highlighted that STEM education costs significantly more than humanities in both urban (139 per cent higher) and rural (58.5 per cent higher) areas. Current scholarships are focused on enabling college admissions and pay little attention to the needs of the girls in school, which vary from filling out entrance exam forms, buying reference books, attending remedial classes, or accessing digital devices. Enabling financial support to access these micro needs can go a long way in the girl child’s career aspirations and empowerment. Providing career guidance and mentorship alongside financial support is crucial, as research indicates that while many girls show an early passion for science, their interest and confidence often decline during adolescence.

Innovative financial mechanisms can further enhance girls' access to STEM education. The Quality Education India Development Impact Bond (QEI DIB), launched in 2018, mobilised over $11 million in private capital and significantly improved learning outcomes. Microfinance institutions like Milaap and Rang De also offer accessible education loans, while digital public infrastructure like ONEST-Aadhaar-linked platforms can simplify scholarship applications and disbursements.

By addressing these systemic barriers and aligning financial aid with research-backed strategies, India can ensure that more girls access STEM education and thrive within it. Empowering girls in STEM is about equity and strategic investment in India’s scientific and economic future.

(Shweta Gaur is Engagement Manager, Education Practice Area, Sattva Consulting.)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.