Education
May 18, 2026
Education Ministry Launches 'Vigyan Dhara' Scholarship for Women in STEM
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Rajesh Bansal
May 18, 2026
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In a significant move to bridge the gender gap in higher scientific research, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has launched the 'Vigyan Dhara' Scholarship Scheme 2026. This initiative is specifically designed for women students who have secured admission into PhD programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields at premier Indian institutions like the IITs, IISERs, and NITs. The scheme aims to support 2,000 female researchers annually with a substantial financial package and mentorship opportunities.
The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of INR 45,000 for the first two years (JRF level) and INR 52,000 for the subsequent three years (SRF level), contingent on satisfactory research progress. In addition to the stipend, recipients will receive an annual contingency grant of INR 1 lakh to cover research-related expenses, travel for international conferences, and publication fees. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, during the launch event in New Delhi, stated, 'India's progress in the next decade will be driven by our women scientists. Vigyan Dhara is not just a financial aid but a commitment to fostering a world-class research ecosystem for our daughters.'
To be eligible for the scholarship, candidates must have completed their Post-Graduation in a relevant STEM subject with a minimum of 65% marks and must have qualified for national-level exams like GATE or NET. The selection process will also take into account the candidate's research proposal and its potential impact on national priorities, such as sustainable energy, semiconductor technology, or advanced healthcare. A dedicated portal for applications will go live on June 1, 2026, and the first list of beneficiaries will be announced by August.
The program also includes a mandatory 'Industry Mentorship' component, where each scholar will be paired with a senior female scientist or industry leader. This is intended to provide career guidance and help scholars transition from academia to high-impact roles in the private sector or government laboratories. Educational experts have welcomed the move, noting that while female enrollment in undergraduate STEM courses has improved, the drop-off at the doctoral level remains a concern that this scholarship directly addresses.
Institutions have been directed to set up 'Vigyan Dhara Helpdesks' to assist students with the application process. The Ministry has also clarified that this scholarship can be held in conjunction with other state-level benefits, provided there is no duplication of the primary stipend. With this launch, the government hopes to increase the percentage of women in Indian R&D from the current 18% to 30% by the year 2030, positioning India as a global hub for inclusive scientific innovation.
The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of INR 45,000 for the first two years (JRF level) and INR 52,000 for the subsequent three years (SRF level), contingent on satisfactory research progress. In addition to the stipend, recipients will receive an annual contingency grant of INR 1 lakh to cover research-related expenses, travel for international conferences, and publication fees. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, during the launch event in New Delhi, stated, 'India's progress in the next decade will be driven by our women scientists. Vigyan Dhara is not just a financial aid but a commitment to fostering a world-class research ecosystem for our daughters.'
To be eligible for the scholarship, candidates must have completed their Post-Graduation in a relevant STEM subject with a minimum of 65% marks and must have qualified for national-level exams like GATE or NET. The selection process will also take into account the candidate's research proposal and its potential impact on national priorities, such as sustainable energy, semiconductor technology, or advanced healthcare. A dedicated portal for applications will go live on June 1, 2026, and the first list of beneficiaries will be announced by August.
The program also includes a mandatory 'Industry Mentorship' component, where each scholar will be paired with a senior female scientist or industry leader. This is intended to provide career guidance and help scholars transition from academia to high-impact roles in the private sector or government laboratories. Educational experts have welcomed the move, noting that while female enrollment in undergraduate STEM courses has improved, the drop-off at the doctoral level remains a concern that this scholarship directly addresses.
Institutions have been directed to set up 'Vigyan Dhara Helpdesks' to assist students with the application process. The Ministry has also clarified that this scholarship can be held in conjunction with other state-level benefits, provided there is no duplication of the primary stipend. With this launch, the government hopes to increase the percentage of women in Indian R&D from the current 18% to 30% by the year 2030, positioning India as a global hub for inclusive scientific innovation.