Indian women have made a strong mark in every field, but their contribution in the field of science is inspiring. These women moved forward in the era when their participation in the field of science and technology in the society was very less. Faced difficulties, fought challenges and showed the world that ability and talent are not dependent on anyone. His resolve was unwavering. Today all these scientists are a pride not only for the country but for the entire world. Are inspiration.
She chose the path of science and reached the heights of the sky. These Indian scientists have made remarkable achievements in their respective fields of chemistry, meteorology, biochemistry, missile technology, space, medical science and virology. He not only took science forward, but also encouraged the coming generations, especially daughters, to dream and fulfill them.
The world has been celebrating March 8 every year as Women’s Day. The global theme of the year 2026 is – profit from charity. Meaning, when you give something to someone, you also get its benefit. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, know about the women scientists of India who created history.
1- Tessie Thomas: Created history in defense sector and was called Missile Woman
Tessie Thomas is known across the world as Missile Woman of India. She was strong in mathematics and science since childhood. Growing up in a small town in Kerala, she never imagined that one day she would play a key role in India’s most important missile projects. After joining DRDO, Tessy worked on the Agni missile program. Due to her technical proficiency and leadership abilities, she became the chief scientist in the development of long-range missiles like Agni-IV and Agni-V.
Tessie Thomas.
Tessie Thomas’s role is very important in the doors that have opened for women in defense research today. He was born in the year 1963.
- Achievement: First woman scientist to lead a missile project in India.
2- Asima Chatterjee: History created in the manufacturing of cancer-epilepsy medicines
Asima Chatterjee was a well-known chemical scientist of India. He was born on 23 September 1917 in Kolkata. Since childhood, he was interested in plants and their medicinal properties. This interest of his inspired him to study organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry. During her education, she had to hear many times that this subject was difficult for women, but she decided to leave the criticism behind and move ahead.
Asima Chatterjee.
He did in-depth research on compounds obtained from plants and contributed to the development of medicines for the treatment of serious diseases like cancer, malaria and epilepsy. His research was appreciated all over the world. He gave modern scientific basis to Indian medical science and also gave a new direction to traditional Ayurvedic knowledge. He left this world on 22 November 2006.
- Achievement: She became the first Indian woman to receive a Doctorate (D.Sc.) degree in Science.
3- Anna Mani: Called ‘Weather Woman’ of India
Anna Mani is also known as the Weather Woman of India. He was born on 23 August 1918 in Kerala. She used to read books continuously in her childhood. His interest was in understanding physics and weather processes. During higher education, she faced many challenges in male-dominated fields, but she did not give up. He joined the Meteorological Department and developed instruments for accurate weather forecasting for India. These included instruments related to wind speed measurement, rain measurement and solar radiation measurement.
India’s weather woman Anna Mani.
He also did important research on solar energy, which is very useful for today’s energy needs. He has a major contribution in laying the foundation of modernization in the Indian Meteorological Department. He said goodbye to the world on 16 August 2001.
- Achievement: She was the first woman to reach the post of Deputy Director of the Meteorological Department of India.
4- Kamala Sohoni: Research on drink that fights malnutrition
Kamla Sohoni was born on 18 June 1911 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. She was the first woman in India who got the opportunity to do PhD. This achievement was not easy, as there were limited opportunities for women in science at that time. C.V. When she applied for research at a great scientist like Raman, she was rejected just because she was a woman, but her determination ultimately opened the doors.
Kamala Sohoni
He did research in biochemistry and studied the properties of a nutritious drink called Neera. This drink proved to be very useful in fighting malnutrition. He also did important research on enzymology and cellular processes. He always gave priority to the use of science to help the weaker sections of the society. He died on 28 June 1998 in New Delhi.
- Achievement: First woman scientist to receive a PhD in science in India.
5- Ritu Karidhal: She is called ‘Rocket Woman of India’
Ritu Karidhal is also called Rocket Woman of India. He was born on 13 April 1975 in Lucknow. She grew up in Rohtak, Haryana. In her childhood, she was fascinated by seeing the planes and stars flying in the sky. She had decided that she would do something in life that would make the country’s name shine in space also.
Ritu Karidhal.
After joining ISRO, he played important roles in many major missions. His contribution to Mangalyaan mission was highly appreciated. She was the Deputy Operations Director of Chandrayaan 2 and handled complex responsibilities of mission operations. His calm nature, wisdom and ability to take decisions in difficult times make him special.
Achievement: He received ISRO’s Young Scientist Award for his contribution to Mangalyaan Mission.
6: Indira Hinduja: Developed technology to cure infertility
Indira Hinduja is a famous gynecologist of India. She has played an important role in giving the happiness of motherhood to millions of couples. At a time when infertility was considered a social stigma, he looked for solutions from a scientific point of view. He was born on 21 August 1946 in Shikarpur, present-day Pakistan.
Indira Hinduja.
She played a major role in the birth of India’s first test tube baby. In addition, he developed the Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer technique, which proved to be an important step in fertility treatment. His works not only advanced science but also changed the thinking of the society.
- Achievement: Doctor who played a key role in the birth of India’s first test tube baby Harsha.
5- Gagandeep Kang: Godmother of Vaccine
Gagandeep Kang is a world-class scientist doing research on rotavirus, typhoid and other infections in children. He worked to understand how infectious diseases spread and how vaccines could be created to stop them. He was born on 3 November 1962 in Shimla.
Gagandeep Kang.
His contribution in strengthening the public health infrastructure in India is invaluable. He went to rural India and conducted many studies and scientifically understood the shortcomings of the health system. His work in vaccine development has received international recognition.
- Achievement: First Indian woman scientist to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, London.
8- Kalpana Chawla: Spent 372 hours in space
Kalpana Chawla is an inspiration not only for India but for the entire world. Born on 17 March 1962 in Karnal, Haryana, Kalpana dreamed of touching the sky since childhood. She took higher education in aero-space engineering and later became a NASA astronaut. He traveled to space twice.
Kalpana Chawla
His first mission was in 1997 and the second in 2003. Unfortunately, the second mission ended in the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster, but his dreams, courage and achievements still inspire millions of youth today. He breathed his last in a space shuttle accident in America on February 1, 2003.
- Achievement: First woman of Indian origin to go to space. He spent about 372 hours in space.
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