Manasvi: IIT Delhi’s Bold Step Toward Empowering High School Girls in STEM

In a world increasingly shaped by technological advancement, ensuring gender equality in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity. Recognizing this, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi launched a pioneering initiative titled ‘Manasvi’, a STEM mentorship programme for high school girls. The programme, unveiled in New Delhi today, is spearheaded by the institute’s Academic Outreach and New Initiatives Office. Manasvi is not merely an educational engagement; it is a transformative platform aimed at inspiring and empowering young girls to pursue careers in STEM, fields traditionally dominated by men.

At the heart of Manasvi lies the ambition to address the deep-rooted gender disparity in STEM education and careers. Despite producing the largest number of science graduates globally, India continues to see disproportionately low female representation in STEM careers—a statistic that underscores the urgent need for such interventions. According to the UNESCO Science Report, only 14% of Indian researchers are women. This underrepresentation is not due to a lack of ability or interest, but rather a consequence of systemic barriers, cultural norms, and limited access to mentorship and opportunities. Manasvi emerges as a strategic response to these issues, offering girls not just academic exposure, but also a sense of belonging, confidence, and community.

The programme offers a rich blend of hands-on experiences, interactive learning, and direct mentorship, providing participants with a glimpse into the diverse possibilities within STEM. At IIT Delhi, participants are given access to world-class laboratories, real-time scientific experiments, and live demonstrations in fields like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Biotechnology, and Renewable Energy. This kind of experiential learning moves beyond classroom instruction, igniting curiosity and helping students visualize themselves as future scientists, engineers, and innovators. For many of these girls, stepping into an IIT lab is not just a novel experience—it is the first tangible interaction with the world of advanced science and technology.

One of the unique pillars of Manasvi is its robust mentorship model. High school students are paired with female mentors from academia and industry, including researchers, faculty members, and post-doctoral scholars at IIT Delhi. These mentors not only provide career guidance but also share personal journeys, struggles, and successes—humanizing the often intimidating face of STEM. This interaction is critical, especially in a society where young girls often lack visible role models in science and technology fields. A mentor’s encouragement can make all the difference between a girl dropping a subject out of fear, and a girl embracing it as her calling.

The mentorship does not stop at academics. Workshops within the programme focus on soft skills development—communication, leadership, teamwork, and creative problem-solving—equipping participants with the confidence to not just enter, but thrive in competitive STEM environments. Additionally, sessions on design thinking, public speaking, digital literacy, and data analysis help cultivate a 21st-century skillset essential for emerging careers in tech and innovation.

The success of Manasvi is already evident in the voices of its participants. Ritika Sharma, a Class 11 student who attended the programme, shared how her perception of science was transformed. “Before Manasvi, I thought science was just about memorizing formulas. Now, I see that it’s about solving real-world problems and creating things that matter,” she said, adding that she now dreams of becoming a roboticist. Another participant mentioned that it was the first time she felt confident enough to ask questions in a scientific discussion, a sentiment echoed by several others.

The programme also received heartfelt praise from its mentors. Dr. Anjali Menon, a researcher at IIT Delhi and one of the core mentors of Manasvi, emphasized the value of representation and visibility. “When girls see women who look like them, think like them, and have succeeded in science, it plants a seed of belief. It tells them, ‘You belong here too.’ That is what we are trying to do with Manasvi,” she remarked. Her words underline a critical insight: visibility in STEM is as powerful as access.

Professor Sunil Kumar, who leads the Academic Outreach at IIT Delhi, elaborated on the long-term vision behind the initiative. “Manasvi is not a one-time event. It is the beginning of a movement. Our goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem of mentorship and inspiration, where girls from all backgrounds feel encouraged to choose science without hesitation or fear,” he said. The plan includes scaling the programme to other IITs and regional educational hubs, as well as establishing online mentorship networks to reach girls in rural and underserved areas.

Manasvi’s introduction is particularly timely in the context of India’s broader educational and developmental goals. As the country pushes forward with its Digital India and Make in India campaigns, and as it aims to become a global innovation powerhouse, it is imperative that female talent is not sidelined. The underrepresentation of women in STEM isn’t just a gender issue—it’s an economic one. Studies have shown that diverse teams outperform homogenous ones in innovation and profitability. Inclusion in STEM is essential not only for empowering women but also for accelerating national growth.

In this regard, Manasvi aligns strongly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). It also complements efforts by global movements such as Girls Who Code, She STEMs, and Women Techmakers India, creating a powerful synergy for gender-inclusive STEM education.

What makes Manasvi especially promising is its focus on long-term community building. Beyond the initial exposure, participants are invited to become part of an evolving alumni network—a digital community where they can continue to interact with mentors, participate in STEM challenges, attend webinars, and even mentor others in the future. This peer-support ecosystem is designed to be self-sustaining, enabling a ripple effect where today’s mentees become tomorrow’s leaders and mentors.

Looking ahead, the IIT Delhi team plans to expand Manasvi’s footprint by collaborating with Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, tribal schools, and NGOs working in education and gender empowerment. Discussions are also underway to bring private sector partners and philanthropic organizations on board to support resource mobilization, internship opportunities, and technology labs for aspiring girls.

The long-term vision is clear: to create a national framework for STEM mentorship, led by IITs, IISERs, CSIR institutions, and key stakeholders in education and industry. By empowering girls early, India can ensure that its future scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians come from all walks of life—not just the privileged few.

In conclusion, Manasvi is more than a mentorship initiative; it is a powerful catalyst for social change. It tells every girl in India that she can code, build, invent, research, and lead. It asserts that STEM is not just a man’s world—it’s hers too. As we celebrate this bold initiative by IIT Delhi, let us remember that the journey to equality in STEM begins with belief—and Manasvi is lighting that belief in young hearts across the nation.