Women Driving India’s Growth: Nari Shakti as the Cornerstone of Viksit Bharat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the transformative contributions of women in advancing India’s progress across diverse sectors. In a recent message, he emphasized how Nari Shakti is playing a pivotal role in science, governance, innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology, thereby strengthening the nation’s journey toward a developed India.

Over the past decade, concerted efforts have promoted women-led development, turning policy initiatives into widespread impact. Programs supporting Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have helped millions of women attain financial independence and self-reliance. These measures focus on dignity, opportunity, and empowerment, enabling women to contribute actively to national growth.

PM Modi expressed appreciation for the achievements of Indian women in high-impact areas such as science, space, and innovation. He referenced a Sanskrit verse underscoring women’s foundational role in national advancement and noted that mothers, sisters, and daughters are enriching Mother India through their skills and dedication.

Image from News on Air

Advancements in Science, Technology, and Innovation

Indian women are making significant strides in STEM fields. Women now account for approximately 43 percent of STEM enrollments in higher education, a figure that surpasses the global average. Patent filings by women have grown remarkably, rising from fewer than 100 per year a decade ago to more than 5,000 annually. Women scientists have played prominent roles in landmark missions such as Chandrayaan-3, showcasing excellence and inclusivity in cutting-edge research.

Government programs reinforce this momentum. The National Science Day 2026 theme, “Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat,” reflects a strong commitment to positioning women as leaders in scientific discovery. Initiatives like WISE-KIRAN support women researchers and promote greater gender parity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Mission-mode programs guided by the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council address societal challenges while fostering innovation.

Empowering Rural Women through Technology

One notable example is the NaMo Drone Didi scheme, which equips women Self-Help Groups with drones for agricultural services. The program aims to provide drones to 15,000 women SHGs, offering training in drone operation and maintenance. These “Drone Didis” deliver services such as precision spraying of fertilizers and pesticides, enhancing farm productivity while creating new livelihood opportunities in rural areas. With substantial financial support, including subsidies, the initiative blends technology with women’s empowerment to modernize agriculture.

Progress across Multiple Sectors

Women’s participation extends to governance, defence, entrepreneurship, and social welfare. Over 10.5 crore households have benefited from Ujjwala LPG connections, improving health and convenience for women. The Lakhpati Didi initiative has enabled nearly three crore women to earn more than one lakh rupees annually through SHG-linked enterprises. In defence, women officers receive permanent commissions, and India maintains one of the highest proportions of female pilots globally.

Political representation receives a boost through the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which reserves one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. This constitutional amendment marks a historic step toward greater inclusivity in decision-making bodies.

Women entrepreneurs are also shaping the startup ecosystem, contributing to innovation and economic dynamism. These collective achievements demonstrate how opportunities in education, skill development, and technology are unlocking women’s potential across urban and rural landscapes.

The MGMM Outlook 

India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat is being significantly strengthened by the growing contributions of women across science, technology, governance, entrepreneurship, and rural development. Over the years, initiatives focused on women-led development have expanded opportunities and promoted financial independence through Self-Help Groups and skill-based programs. The increasing presence of women in STEM education, rising patent filings, and their participation in landmark missions such as Chandrayaan-3 reflect how Nari Shakti is emerging as a key force behind innovation and national progress.

The integration of technology and empowerment through initiatives like the NaMo Drone Didi scheme, Lakhpati Didi, and Ujjwala has created meaningful socio-economic change, particularly in rural India. Greater representation in defence services, politics, and the startup ecosystem further demonstrates the widening scope of women’s leadership in shaping the country’s future. These developments highlight how inclusive growth, supported by education, skills, and equal opportunities, is enabling women to contribute actively to India’s aspiration of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

(Sources: News on Air, The New Indian Express)