DRDO Scholarship Scheme (2020) For Girls: An Impetus For Women In STEM

Policy Update
Arohi Sanyal

Introduction

Low representation of women in STEM is a global issue with women constituting less than 30% of the world’s STEM researchers (Women in STEM: Challenges and Opportunities in India). In India women constitute 40% of the total in the field of STEM. (The Hindu)

There are various reasons for this low participation of women in STEM ranging from the widely held societal belief that STEM is a field unsuitable for women due to its demanding work hours which may conflict with domestic responsibilities, to the fact that many women themselves do not feel safe traveling at odd hours, to the stereotype that women are weak in math and cannot excel in STEM field.

\Careers in STEM typically have a long gestational period and family members succumbing to societal expectations pressurize women to opt out and get married to have children within the time frame of the biological clock. Another deterrent is the phenomenal expenses in STEM fields which have highly competitive entrance exams which cannot be aced sans professional coaching and generally parents do not want to invest more on the education of a girl child in anticipation of having to spend on her marriage also.

Women and STEM

It is imperative to motivate girls to opt for STEM education as it encourages critical thinking and develops problem solving skills. Further, as on date STEM related organizations are one of the fastest growing with umpteen job opportunities and lucrative compensation packages. A good job with a decent salary would give women much needed financial independence which would enable women to have greater autonomy in leading their lives respectfully.

The government has launched various schemes to encourage girls to pursue STEM. Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement for Nurturing (KIRAN) , a program by the Department of Science Technology (DST) has a dedicated program for women- Women in Science and Engineering (WISE-KIRAN). It aims to help women by offering Fellowships for PhD, internships and overseas opportunities (KIRAN Scheme).It also includes the Vigyan Jyoti Scheme which was introduced in the year 2019-20 (Vigyan Jyoti Programme) to encourage girls from the school level to take STEM as their career.

The Defence Research and Development Organization(DRDO) also launched a scholarship scheme with a focus on women in the field of engineering with the aim of encouraging women in engineering fields.

Overview of The Scheme

The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Scholarship Scheme for girls is for women pursuing careers in Aerospace Engineering / Aeronautical Engineering / Space Engineering and Rocketry / Avionics / Aircraft Engineering. The scheme is supported by the Aeronautics Research and Development Board. The scheme aims to recruit skilled female students into engineering fields thus improving the representation of women in the aviation and aerospace sectors. The program offers financial aid to eligible candidates alleviating the financial burden of pursuing academic goals.

Eligibility

To apply for this scheme the candidate must be an Indian national and a first year student of a relevant engineering course. She should have scored at least 60% marks in the entrance exam of engineering and must have a valid GATE certificate for post graduate students or a valid JEE main score for undergraduate students( DRDO Scholarship Scheme for Girls — Vikaspedia).

How To Apply?

To apply for this scheme the candidates must visit the DRDO website and get themselves registered on it. The candidate would be required to submit essential documents such as proof of admission in an institute, aadhar card, passport size photo and a reference letter from the institute in which she is enrolled. (Buddy4Study) .

Benefits of the Scheme

An undergraduate student would receive a scholarship of Rs.1,20,000/- per year or annual fees, whichever is less, for a maximum period of four years. A post graduate student would receive a scholarship Rs.15,500/- per month subject to Rs.1,86,000/- per year for a maximum period of two years( DRDO Scholarship Scheme for Girls — Vikaspedia).

There are limited scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students hence making the competition tough.

Drawbacks of DRDO Scholarship Scheme

Due to the prevalent situation the scheme is much needed and highly laudable but it suffers from the following loopholes:

Bureaucratic Delays- Criticism has been directed at the DRDO for its inefficient decision-making mechanisms. Reports indicate that many initiatives, including scholarship programs, are plagued by an array of bureaucratic barriers, causing substantial delays in the approval and disbursement processes (Dataquest ) .
Lack of Accountability-The scheme lacks a formal accountability structure, as a result there are no checks and balances leading to mismanagement of allocated funds.
Limited Outreach- As the process is completely online and requires a considerable number of documents the scheme may not be accessible to all girls especially those from rural background or belonging to socio economically backward section of society as many of them may not have access to smartphones or the internet.
Misallocation of Funds- Concerns have been raised about the distribution of funds within the DRDO. It has been observed that funds earmarked for scholarship programs are sometimes diverted to manage excess costs in other projects, undermining the integrity of the scholarship program

Way Forward

The government is endeavoring to take multiple steps to encourage women in science. DRDO scholarship scheme and other STEM schemes aim to enable more women to achieve laurels in science like Kamala Sohonie, who was the first Indian woman to achieve a PhD in a scientific discipline and Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian origin to fly to space . These schemes would help more women to opt for careers in STEM, achieve financial freedom and empower them while becoming a beacon of motivation for future generations.

However, it is also essential to ensure proper checks and balances within the schemes. The schemes must be reviewed from time to time to ensure that funds allocated for such essential schemes are not diverted towards other projects. Periodic reviews of the schemes will help improve its effectiveness and accessibility, potentially changing the lives of many girls. A few efforts can go a long way in making the scheme more effective, fruitfully changing the life of several girls.

References

Buddy4Study. (n.d.). DRDO Scholarship Scheme for Girls. Buddy4Study. https://www.buddy4study.com/?ref=article_header
Data Quest. (n.d.). DRDO Scholarship 2020 for Girls: Online Application Date for Scholarship of up to Rs 1,86,000 Extended. Data Quest. https://www.dqindia.com/
Dristhi. (n.d.). KIRAN Scheme. Dristhi. https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-news-analysis/kiran-scheme#:~:text=Next-,KIRAN%20Scheme,-09%20Mar%202020
Dristhi. (n.d.). Vigyan Jyoti Programme. Dristhi. https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-news-analysis/vigyan-jyoti-programme#:~:text=Next-,Vigyan%20Jyoti%20Programme,-11%20Feb%202022
The Hindu. (2024, March 15th). 40% women enrolment in STEM field a world record for India, says UGC Chairman. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/
Obreoi, D. (2023). Women IN Stem ; Challenges and Opportunities in India. https://iwwage.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Women-in-STEM-Challenges-and-Opportunities-in-India-Report.pdf
Vikaspedia. (n.d.). DRDO Scholarship Scheme for Girls. Vikaspedia. https://vikaspedia.in/schemesall/schemes-for-women-schemesall/drdo-scholarship-scheme-for-girls

About the Contributor: Arohi Sanyal is a research intern in IMPRI. She has completed her Masters in Gender Studies from Dr.B.R Ambedkar University, Delhi.

Acknowledgement: The author would like to thank Aasthaba Jadeja, Dr.Arjun Kumar, Ambika , Riya and her mother for reviewing the article and providing their valuable feedback.