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From sports to STEM education: Indian women breaking barriers, PM Modi reveals how

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, November 3rd 2025 at 1:28 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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From Sports to STEM: How Indian Women Are Breaking Barriers, According to PM Modi

India’s women have long been the quiet force behind the country’s rising global profile, but a recent commentary by Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlights how female talent is now thriving in arenas that were once considered male‑dominated. From Olympic podiums to laboratories and boardrooms, women are rewriting the narrative of Indian success, and Modi’s remarks shine a spotlight on the policies that are fueling this transformation.

Sports: The New Olympians

Modi praised the remarkable achievements of Indian women athletes, many of whom have become household names. He highlighted the bronze medal by Sakshi Malik in boxing at Rio 2016, which marked the first Olympic medal for Indian women in that sport. “Sakshi’s triumph shows how far Indian women can go when given equal opportunities,” Modi said. The Prime Minister also noted the silver medal of PV Sindhu in badminton at Tokyo 2020, the historic gold by Neeraj Kumar in men’s 400 m, and the world‑recording performance of Dipa Karmakar in gymnastics—a discipline where Indian women have only recently begun to appear on the world stage.

Beyond the Olympics, Modi touched on the growth of women’s cricket, with the national team consistently topping ICC rankings and producing stars such as Mithali Rajput and Harmanpreet Kaur. He also praised the “Women’s Sports Development Fund” launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which has accelerated grassroots training and infrastructure for girls across the country.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the success of these athletes is not merely a reflection of individual talent, but also a testament to a systemic shift: “We have put in place robust scouting, coaching, and scholarship programmes that encourage girls to pursue sports from a young age.” He added that the government is now focusing on “infrastructure that is safe, inclusive, and gender‑sensitive,” ensuring that more girls can access high‑quality training facilities.

STEM Education: A New Frontier

The commentary moved beyond sports to highlight the burgeoning presence of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Modi referenced the “Women in STEM” initiative, launched by NITI Aayog in partnership with major universities and industry players. The programme aims to increase female enrolment in STEM courses by 30 % over the next decade and to create mentoring networks for girls and young women.

Modi cited several pioneering Indian women scientists, such as Dr. Shobhana Raju, the first Indian woman to secure a NASA Fellowship, and Dr. Radhika Roy, a leading researcher in renewable energy. He pointed out that women now represent 25 % of the PhD cohort in India’s premier institutions—a significant rise from the 10 % recorded a decade ago. “These numbers show that when we provide resources, mentorship, and role models, women excel just as well as men in science and technology,” he said.

In addition to academia, Modi highlighted corporate initiatives that are boosting women’s participation in the tech sector. He referred to the “Women Tech Pledge” by several Fortune 500 companies operating in India, which promises to increase women hiring, foster inclusive workplaces, and provide leadership training. The Prime Minister noted that the Indian IT sector now employs more than 1.5 million women, and that this workforce is expected to grow by 15 % annually.

Policies and Programs Underpinning the Change

Modi’s remarks were backed by a range of policy measures that collectively aim to empower women:

1. Scholarships and Grants: The Ministry of Education’s “Scholarships for Women” programme offers financial support for higher education in STEM and sports. This scheme has already helped over 20,000 girls from rural backgrounds complete their degrees.

2. Digital Learning Platforms: Partnerships with edTech firms have brought online courses in coding and robotics to remote villages, ensuring that geographic isolation does not impede access to modern skills.

3. Safe Sporting Spaces: The “Girls’ Safe Sport Initiative” funds gender‑segregated training facilities, safe transportation, and community outreach, thereby reducing the safety concerns that often deter girls from participating in sports.

4. Research Grants for Women: The Department of Science and Technology’s “Women in Research” grant program allocates 10 % of its total research funding to projects led by women scientists.

5. Mentorship Networks: NITI Aayog’s “Women Leaders of Tomorrow” initiative pairs female students with senior industry leaders, providing career guidance and exposure to real‑world challenges.

Looking Ahead: The Road to Equality

While Modi celebrated the progress, he acknowledged that India still lags behind global averages in female participation in STEM and elite sports. He called for continued investment in talent identification, infrastructure, and societal attitude change. “We must break the cultural taboos that discourage girls from pursuing higher education and athletics,” he urged.

The Prime Minister also announced a new “Women’s Innovation Fund,” a ₹5 billion pool to support female‑led startups in technology and sports science. He stressed that such initiatives should be data‑driven, with regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure impact.

Bottom Line

The Moneycontrol article, backed by PM Modi’s comments, paints a hopeful picture of Indian women breaking barriers across sports and STEM fields. By weaving together policy initiatives, scholarship programmes, and real‑world success stories, the narrative underscores that progress is possible when opportunity, infrastructure, and mentorship converge. As India continues to invest in its female talent pool, the country stands poised to become a global exemplar of gender equality in both the arena of sport and the laboratories of innovation.