Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday shared an article written by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan that highlights India’s shift from women’s development to women-led development.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said, “Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan writes that India’s development narrative is shifting from women’s development to women-led development. With rising participation in STEM, research and innovation, Nari Shakti is powering the journey towards Viksit Bharat.”
Pradhan said India’s women are emerging as leaders of the knowledge economy, driven by rapid progress in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields and policy initiatives aimed at expanding their participation in sectors shaping the future global economy.
In his article titled “From women’s development to women-led development: The journey to Viksit Bharat,” the minister said that women in India are no longer viewed merely as beneficiaries of welfare schemes but as active leaders shaping the country’s future.
He noted that the foundation for greater participation begins in schools, where India has achieved a Gender Parity Index of 1.0 at foundational, preparatory and middle levels, and 1.1 at the secondary level, indicating that girls’ enrolment now equals or surpasses that of boys. The article also highlighted initiatives such as Atal Tinkering Labs, which provide early exposure to innovation and emerging technologies.
Pradhan said India’s higher education system has expanded significantly in the past decade. According to data from the All India Survey on Higher Education, the number of higher education institutions has increased from 51,534 to over 60,000, while total enrolment has risen from 3.42 crore to 4.46 crore since 2014–15. Female enrolment during this period grew from 1.57 crore to 2.18 crore, with the female Gross Enrolment Ratio increasing from 22.9 to 30.2.
The article further highlighted the growing presence of women in STEM education, where they now account for 43 per cent of total enrolment at the higher education level, one of the highest proportions globally.
Pradhan also pointed to progress in research, noting that postgraduate enrolment has increased from 19.8 lakh in 2014–15 to 32 lakh in 2022–23, while doctoral enrolment has grown from about 47,000 to more than 1.12 lakh. Initiatives such as the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship have supported over 3,500 scholars, including 35 per cent women, and aim to expand to 10,000 fellowships in the coming years. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation is also expected to further strengthen India’s research ecosystem.
He added that in the 2024–25 cycle of the University Grants Commission NET–Junior Research Fellowship, women accounted for over 53 per cent of STEM fellowship recipients, reflecting increasing female participation in advanced research.
Highlighting the government’s continued focus on enabling women’s participation, Pradhan noted that the Union Budget 2026 announced provisions for safe and affordable hostel facilities for girls in every district, aimed at supporting students pursuing STEM education.
Quoting PM Modi, the article said that the country’s vision is no longer merely to empower women through science, but to ensure that science itself is strengthened by women’s participation.
Pradhan concluded that as India moves towards the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, women will play a central role in driving innovation, research and economic growth, making Nari Shakti a key force in the country’s development journey.
