How women physicists in India are breaking down barriers and shaping the future

According to Physics World, India's science pipeline is thriving—women now make up more than forty percent of science graduates. But when those women enter physics, the picture dims: only about sixteen percent of university physics faculty in India are women, roughly matching the disappointing global average of seventeen percent. That disparity masks a wealth of achievement. Bibha Chowdhuri became the first Indian woman to earn a PhD in physics after co-discovering the meson. Ritu Karidhal played a central role in making India the fourth nation to reach Mars. Yet barriers persist—social pressure to prioritize family over research, a shortage of visible role models, and instances of sexual misconduct all play a role. Physics World recently held a webinar to celebrate the contributions of Indian women physicists and examine the obstacles they face. Among the featured speakers: Urbasi Sinha, head of the quantum information lab at the Raman Research Institute, whose research bridges fundamental quantum questions with practical quantum communication networks; Asima Pradhan, who pioneered biomedical optics work on human tissue and now directs a startup developing portable optical devices for clinical use; and Kaveri Hukku, chief executive of a scientific instrumentation firm. The event's organizer, Shobha Shukla from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, framed the conversation not as celebration, but necessity: building a culture of equity and innovation in physics itself.

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