The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has been implementing the Vigyan Jyoti programme since 2019-20 to encourage meritorious girls to pursue higher education and careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. The programme aims to promote gender parity in STEM by sustaining the talent pool in science and technology through various year-round activities, such as hands-on experiential learning sessions, interactions with scientific role models, visits to R&D and industrial laboratories, career guidance workshops, and student–parent counselling sessions. These initiatives provide exposure and help increase girls’ interest and inclination towards science. Since its inception, the Vigyan Jyoti programme has benefited 1,12,600 high-achieving girls from 300 districts across 34 States and Union Territories. To strengthen its impact, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has engaged with over 250 premier national institutions, including universities, science and technology institutes, CSIR laboratories, and other reputed organizations. These institutions serve as knowledge partners and contribute significantly to the programme’s mission of fostering greater participation of girls in STEM.

The details of girl students encouraged to pursue science during the last three years, state-wise is given below:

This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

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