Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remark at the IIT Delhi convocation—‘Wish there were more daughters among the medalists’—has reignited a conversation that goes far beyond the ceremony itself. Personally, I think this statement, while well-intentioned, touches on a deeper, more systemic issue that India has grappled with for decades. What makes this particularly fascinating is how it exposes the gap between policy interventions and societal realities. From my perspective, the problem isn’t just about the number of women on stage; it’s about the invisible barriers that prevent them from even reaching the starting line.
The Numbers Don’t Lie—But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Let’s start with the data. Women currently make up around 20% of IIT undergraduate admissions. On the surface, this might seem like progress, especially compared to the 8% in 2016. But here’s the kicker: the needle has barely moved in the last five years. In my opinion, this stagnation is a red flag. What many people don’t realize is that while absolute numbers have increased, the proportion of women remains almost frozen. This raises a deeper question: Are we merely expanding access without addressing the root causes of underrepresentation?
The Quota Conundrum
The Supernumerary Seats Scheme (SSS), introduced in 2018, was a bold move to boost female participation. And it worked—initially. But by 2025, the scheme hit a plateau. One thing that immediately stands out is that quotas can only do so much. A policy can open doors, but it can’t change mindsets. What this really suggests is that the problem isn’t just institutional; it’s deeply cultural. If you take a step back and think about it, the real challenge lies in persuading families, communities, and even women themselves that engineering is a viable—and welcoming—path for them.
The Journey Begins Long Before JEE
Here’s a detail that I find especially interesting: the gender gap in IITs isn’t just about the entrance exam. It starts years earlier. Mathematics, physics, and problem-solving are often coded as ‘boys’ subjects’ from a young age. Girls are less likely to be encouraged to pursue STEM, and when they struggle, their mistakes are seen as proof of incompatibility rather than opportunities to learn. This psychological conditioning is insidious. By the time girls reach Class 10, many have already internalized the idea that engineering isn’t for them. In my opinion, this is where the real reform needs to begin—not in admission policies, but in classrooms and homes.
The Invisible Filters: Money and Mobility
Another angle that often gets overlooked is the financial barrier. IIT preparation is expensive. Coaching, study materials, and relocation costs can run into lakhs. For families with limited resources, the decision to invest in a child’s education often favors the son. What many people don’t realize is that this isn’t just about money; it’s about societal expectations. Engineering is still seen as a ‘male’ career, while daughters are nudged toward ‘safer’ or ‘more suitable’ paths. This hidden bias ensures that many talented girls never even enter the JEE pipeline.
The Campus Climate Question
Even when women do make it to IITs, their journey isn’t over. There’s a troubling trend of high-ranking female candidates opting for other institutions. Why? Concerns about campus culture, branch allocation, and the perceived rigidity of engineering programs play a role. From my perspective, this highlights a critical issue: IITs need to become places where women don’t just feel admitted, but truly belong. The institution’s culture must evolve to be more inclusive, flexible, and supportive. Otherwise, quotas will only get us so far.
Beyond Quotas: The Cultural Shift Needed
If there’s one takeaway from this discussion, it’s that the next phase of reform must focus on culture, not just statistics. Schools need to actively promote STEM among girls from an early age. Parents need to be encouraged to see engineering as a gender-neutral career. Mentorship programs should start long before the JEE years. And IITs must critically examine their campus environments to ensure they are welcoming to women. In my opinion, the goal shouldn’t be to hit a quota; it should be to create a system where a girl from any corner of India looks at an IIT and thinks, ‘That place is for me.’
The Bigger Picture: India’s Technological Ambition
Finally, let’s zoom out. India’s aspiration to be a global technology leader is undermined by the underrepresentation of women in its premier engineering institutions. This isn’t just an education issue; it’s an economic, social, and talent issue. If half the population is left behind, how can we truly innovate? The Prime Minister’s wish for more women medalists should be a catalyst for a broader reckoning. The real question isn’t why there aren’t enough women holding medals—it’s how many girls with the potential to win those medals never got the chance to compete.
Conclusion: A Medal is More Than Metal
A medal at an IIT convocation represents years of hard work, sacrifice, and opportunity. But it also symbolizes the choices, encouragements, and barriers that came before. Personally, I think the conversation sparked by PM Modi’s remark is just the beginning. It’s a call to address not just the symptoms, but the root causes of gender disparity in engineering. If we want more daughters among the medalists, we need to start much earlier—in schools, homes, and minds. Because, in the end, a medal isn’t just about the person holding it; it’s about the system that allowed them to reach that stage.
