Gujarat's Engineering Landscape Transforms with Rising Female Participation
In a significant shift for Gujarat's educational sector, the state is witnessing a remarkable increase in female enrollment in engineering programs, effectively dismantling the long-held perception of engineering as a male-dominated field. Data from the Admission Committee for Professional Courses (ACPC) reveals that between the academic years 2015-16 and 2025-26, the share of girls in overall engineering seats has surged from 14% to 25%. This translates to one out of every four engineering students in Gujarat being a girl, marking a substantial leap forward in gender inclusivity in STEM education.
First-Generation Engineers Paving the Way in Emerging Technologies
Roop Lakkad, a computer engineering student from Jamnagar studying at Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) in Gandhinagar, exemplifies this trend as the first girl in her family to pursue engineering. "I was fascinated with science from a young age. With AI and ML, I feel empowered to resolve issues like curbing crimes and weeding out criminals from society using technology," she says, highlighting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Similarly, Jinal Gohel, her classmate from Bhavnagar and also a first-generation engineer, aspires to explore applications in quantum computing. "I love that technology is gender-neutral, and more women training in STEM can make a massive difference," she notes, emphasizing the importance of diversity in driving innovation. Their stories underscore a broader movement as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated on February 11, gains relevance in Gujarat.
Institutional Growth and Support for Women in STEM
Dr. Nilay Bhuptani, principal of LD College of Engineering and member secretary of ACPC, observes a steady rise in female enrollment across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses in the state. "More significantly, women who largely embraced traditional branches such as computer, IT, and electronics and communication are now also opting for mechanical and civil engineering courses, finding traction with new applications and tech-enabled workspaces," he explains.
This growth is evident in specialized institutions as well. At PDEU, women's enrollment in engineering courses increased from 14% (123 students) in 2015-16 to 26% (447 students) this year. IIT Gandhinagar (IIT-Gn) saw a three-fold rise in female students, from 85 to 245 over a decade. Prof. Bhaskar Datta, Dean (Academics) at IIT-Gn, notes that "young women are aggressively staking their claim in high-tech frontiers such as AI, which will ultimately increase their heft in a highly skilled workforce."
Scholarships and Expanding Opportunities in Niche Fields
To further encourage female participation, institutions have introduced supportive measures. PDEU offers merit-based scholarships providing up to a 50% tuition fee waiver for female students. Prof. SS Manoharan, Director General of PDEU, states, "When women enter engineering classrooms in greater numbers, they act as positive change agents in innovation, leadership, and social impact." The university has also recorded sizable female enrollment in emerging fields like biotechnology.
At CEPT University, Prof. Aanal Shah, Dean of the Faculty of Technology, reports that female students constitute 32-36% of postgraduate courses, opting for specialized programs such as:
- Building energy performance
- Geomatics
- Structural engineering design
- Construction engineering and management
Challenges and Future Prospects for Gender Parity
Despite these encouraging trends, experts caution that further improvement is needed. Key concerns for parents include:
- Lodging and boarding facilities for girls pursuing higher studies
- Safety issues
- Employment opportunities post-graduation
However, the rise of emerging fields like AI and quantum computing holds promise for creating more inclusive workspaces, potentially addressing some of these barriers. As Gujarat continues to foster an environment conducive to female engineers, the state sets a precedent for broader national efforts in achieving gender balance in STEM disciplines.
