WISE-KIRAN: Empowering women scientists in India

Union Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted the significance of the ‘Women Scientist Scheme’ under the WISE-KIRAN initiative during a Lok Sabha session. The scheme, integral to the government’s efforts in empowering women, operates within the Women in Science and Engineering framework. WISE-KIRAN encourages women scientists to contribute to pioneering research in science and engineering.

As a crucial component of the central government’s WISE-KIRAN initiative aimed at empowering women, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, emphasized the importance of the ‘Women Scientist Scheme’ on Wednesday. Addressing the Lok Sabha in a written response, Singh underscored the scheme’s role as a flagship program within the broader Women in Science and Engineering framework, offering vital opportunities for women scientists to forge careers in the field of science & technology (S&T).

Launched in 2018, ‘Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN)’ encourages women scientists to engage in groundbreaking research in science and engineering, focusing on societal challenges and promoting S&T-based internships followed by self-employment. The initiative aims to address the gender-specific challenges that often result in the exclusion of well-qualified women from S&T activities, particularly due to circumstances like career breaks associated with motherhood and family responsibilities.

To tackle these challenges, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) initiated the Women Scientists Scheme. The allocated budget for the WISE-KIRAN scheme for the financial year 2023-24 is Rs. 131.20 crore. Since its inception in 2018, approximately 1962 women scientists have benefited from the Women Scientist Scheme.