The DST launched the Vigyan Jyoti programme in the 2019‑20 academic year. Its core objective is to bridge the gender gap in STEM by providing sustained exposure, mentorship and career guidance to high‑performing girls. Key Developments (2023‑26) Benefited 1,12,600 girls from 300 districts across 34 states and UTs . Engaged over 250 premier national institutions , including universities, CSIR laboratories , and other reputed organisations as knowledge partners. Year‑round activities comprise hands‑on experiments, interaction with scientific role‑models, visits to R&D and industrial labs, career‑guidance workshops and student‑parent counselling. State‑wise enrolment (as on 19‑Mar‑2026) shows highest uptake in Maharashtra (5,008) , Uttar Pradesh (6,672) , Rajasthan (4,773) and West Bengal (3,181) . Important Facts Programme duration: 2019‑20 to present (2026). Target group: meritorious girl students in Class 11‑12 pursuing science streams. Implementation mechanism: partnership model where selected institutions deliver experiential modules and mentorship. Financial outlay: not disclosed in the reply, but the scale of outreach indicates substantial central funding. Monitoring: data presented in a written reply by Dr. Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha on 24‑Mar‑2026. UPSC Relevance The scheme touches upon several GS‑paper themes: Science & Technology Policy (GS3) : Illustrates how the government uses targeted programmes to build a skilled scientific workforce. Gender Equality (GS1 & GS3) : Demonstrates concrete steps toward women’s empowerment in high‑skill sectors. Institutional Collaboration (GS2) : Shows the role of central ministries coordinating with autonomous research bodies like CSIR and universities. Human Resource Development (GS3) : Aligns with India’s broader goal of creating a knowledge‑based economy. Way Forward Expand the partnership network to include more private sector R&D centres, enhancing industry‑academia linkage. Introduce a robust impact‑assessment framework to track long‑term career outcomes of beneficiaries. Scale up financial incentives, such as scholarships and research grants, to retain talent beyond undergraduate studies. Leverage digital platforms for remote mentorship, especially for girls in remote districts. Integrate the programme with the National Education Policy’s focus on interdisciplinary learning and gender parity.