Impact of Selected Schemes of SERB: Empowering Indian Women in R&D Spectrum

Abstract

The role of women in science and technology has become crucial for the overall development of a nation. In India, the numeric representation of women up to graduate and postgraduate levels is the same as male candidates but declines from the doctorate level. A continued women’s lower employment rate in universities and higher educational institutes must be analyzed for necessary action. The Government of India has initiated various schemes, programs, fellowships, and financial grants to the research community to carry out basic and advanced scientific and technological research. In this regard, the present study maps the participation of women through research proposal submission and approval in selected schemes of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). The study also analyzed subject-wise trends and the role of institutes in developing the capacities of women scientists to perform research in cutting-edge technologies. The paper also describes the impact of SERB’s women-centric POWER Scheme to uplift women scientists from different institutes. The review recommends potential areas where women researchers should be further encouraged to participate and generate solutions for societal problems using the tools of science and technology.