Shattering Ceilings: Indian Women in STEM Who Redefined Boundaries in 2025 – An Epochal Year for RealShePower
As the final embers of 2025 glow, we at RealShePower stand on the precipice of a new dawn, reflecting on a year that will undoubtedly be etched in the annals of history as a watershed moment for Indian women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). For too long, the narrative has been one of potential, of promise, of slow but steady progress. But 2025? This was the year that the ‘tech ceiling’ didn’t just crack; it shattered into a million pieces, illuminated by the brilliance, resilience, and sheer ingenuity of 25 extraordinary Indian women.
These are not just names on a list; they are architects of the future, pioneers navigating uncharted territories, and beacons of inspiration who, through their relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation, have not only redefined boundaries but have fundamentally reshaped our understanding of what is possible. From the furthest reaches of space to the intricate dance of human biology, from the ethical complexities of artificial intelligence to the grassroots efforts of environmental conservation, Indian women have claimed their rightful place at the forefront of global scientific discourse. Their stories are a testament to the power of persistence, the courage to challenge norms, and the unwavering spirit of RealShePower.
Let us delve into the awe-inspiring achievements of these 25 formidable women who made 2025 an epochal year for India and for women everywhere.
I. Guardians of the Cosmos & Architects of the Universe: Space and Physics
The year 2025 saw Indian women not just participate but lead humanity’s quest to unravel the universe’s deepest mysteries. Their work in space exploration and theoretical physics pushed the very limits of human understanding.
1. Ritu Karidhal Shrivastava – The Enduring ‘Rocket Woman’ of India:
Her name has become synonymous with ISRO’s triumphs. In 2025, Ritu Karidhal Shrivastava, already a legend for her role in Chandrayaan-2 and Mangalyaan, continued to orchestrate ISRO’s most ambitious deep-space exploration missions.
As a senior Mission Operations Director, her strategic acumen and flawless execution were pivotal in the successful deployment of the ‘SuryaDarshan’ solar probe, providing unprecedented data on coronal mass ejections. Her leadership in navigating complex interplanetary trajectories cemented India’s position as a global leader in cost-effective space exploration, proving that meticulous planning and visionary leadership can move celestial bodies.
2. Kalpana Kalahasti – Precision Engineering Beyond Earth:
A quiet force behind ISRO’s roaring successes, Kalpana Kalahasti, a Deputy Project Director, was the unsung hero of 2025’s space endeavors. Her groundbreaking work in the development of advanced propulsion systems for India’s next-generation lunar lander ensured precise soft-landing capabilities.
Her team’s innovative use of hybrid propellants minimized fuel consumption and maximized payload capacity, directly contributing to the feasibility of sustained lunar habitation projects. Kalpana’s dedication to engineering perfection makes her a true embodiment of RealShePower.
3. Rashi Jain – Unveiling Cosmic Twins with JWST:
At the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Rashi Jain, a brilliant astrophysicist, leveraged the revolutionary capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). In 2025, her team made headlines globally with the discovery of ‘Alaknanda,’ a distant galaxy.
Through intricate spectral analysis, Dr. Jain provided compelling evidence that ‘Alaknanda’ is a cosmic twin to our Milky Way, offering critical insights into galaxy formation and evolution in the early universe. Her work not only expanded our cosmic map but also deepened our understanding of our own galactic origins.
4. Aditi Sen De – Quantum Leaps in Secure Communication:
From the abstract world of quantum mechanics, Aditi Sen De, a distinguished professor at the Harish-Chandra Research Institute, continued her pioneering work in quantum information theory.
In 2025, her research group achieved a significant breakthrough in developing protocols for non-encrypted data transmission using entangled photons. This advancement, detailed in Nature Physics, brought India several steps closer to realizing a functional and secure quantum internet, potentially revolutionizing global communication and cybersecurity.
5. Joyanti Chutia – Mentoring the Next Generation of Plasma Mavericks:
An emeritus scientist in Plasma Physics, Joyanti Chutia transcended her research contributions in 2025 by becoming a pivotal mentor for young women entering STEM.
Her interdisciplinary research in low-temperature plasma applications, from medical sterilization to material science, continued to evolve. More importantly, her tireless advocacy and mentorship programs inspired countless female students at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) to pursue complex fields, cultivating a vibrant ecosystem for future women in physics.
II. Catalysts for Life: Health-Tech & Biotech Innovators
The year 2025 saw Indian women at the forefront of medical breakthroughs, leveraging biotechnology and health technology to address pressing global challenges.
6. Dr. N. Kalaiselvi – Driving India’s Green Energy Revolution:
As the first woman Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr. N. Kalaiselvi’s leadership in 2025 was transformative. She strategically steered CSIR’s research toward the “Lithium-ion Roadmap,” accelerating indigenous development of advanced battery technologies crucial for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
Her vision positioned India as a formidable global player in sustainable energy solutions, mitigating reliance on foreign imports and bolstering national energy security.
7. Dr. Ruchi Gupta – A Sweet Solution to a Grave Disease:
An Associate Professor of Analytical Science, Dr. Ruchi Gupta‘s ingenious invention earned her the prestigious 2025 Women in Tech Academic Award.
She developed a revolutionary “hydrogel lollipop” – a non-invasive device capable of detecting early biomarkers for oral cancer. This accessible and user-friendly diagnostic tool, with high sensitivity and specificity, holds immense promise for early detection in low-resource settings, saving countless lives and transforming cancer screening methodologies.
8. Lakshmi Kalyani Chinthala – AI-Powered Diagnostics for Remote Care:
Lakshmi Kalyani Chinthala, a brilliant bioengineer, made waves in 2025 with the commercialization of Smart DaaS (Diagnostic-as-a-Service).
This AI-driven wearable diagnostic solution, miniaturized and powered by machine learning, accurately detects HIV biomarkers with over 94% accuracy.
Designed specifically for remote and under-resourced regions, Smart DaaS addresses critical gaps in healthcare access, enabling timely intervention and management of infectious diseases.
9. Yashika Tomar – Nanomedicine & Cold Plasma for Chronic Ailments:
A Senior Research Fellow at BITS Pilani, Yashika Tomar‘s work in 2025 marked a significant leap in therapeutic medicine. Her pioneering research combined nanomedicine with cold plasma therapy to develop highly targeted treatments for chronic dermatological conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
By precisely delivering therapeutic agents and modulating cellular responses, her innovations offered new hope for patients suffering from persistent and debilitating skin disorders.
10. Dr. Gagandeep Kang – Bolstering India’s Vaccine Sovereignty:
Already celebrated as the first Indian woman elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, Dr. Gagandeep Kang continued her vital work in 2025 focusing on indigenous vaccine data modeling.
Her epidemiological insights and predictive analytics were instrumental in shaping India’s national immunization strategies and pandemic preparedness. Dr. Kang’s contributions reinforced India’s self-reliance in public health, ensuring robust, evidence-based responses to future health crises.
III. The Architects of Intelligence: AI & Digital Transformation Leaders
Indian women are not just adopting AI; they are building it, shaping its ethical frameworks, and ensuring its transformative power benefits all segments of society.
11. Irina Ghose – Democratizing AI for Public Good:
As the Managing Director of Microsoft India, Irina Ghose spent 2025 championing the integration of AI across India’s vast public sector.
Her strategic focus on linguistic inclusivity led to the development and deployment of Large Language Models (LLMs) in multiple Indian regional languages, making public services and digital literacy accessible to millions who were previously excluded from the digital revolution.
Irina’s leadership is a beacon for equitable technological growth.
12. Geeta Gurnani – Mastering the Hybrid Cloud Frontier:
IBM India’s formidable Field CTO, Geeta Gurnani, continued to redefine enterprise technology in 2025.
Her expertise in hybrid-cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity solutions was critical in guiding major Indian enterprises through complex digital transformations.
Geeta’s thought leadership on data sovereignty and secure multi-cloud environments positioned her as a trusted advisor, fortifying India’s digital backbone against evolving threats.
13. Reema Jain – Accelerating Sustainable Digital Mobility:
As the Chief Information & Digital Officer at Hero MotoCorp, Reema Jain drove the “digital mobility” movement with unparalleled vigor in 2025.
She spearheaded the integration of IoT (Internet of Things) and AI into sustainable transportation solutions, from predictive maintenance in electric vehicles to intelligent fleet management.
Her vision is making India’s urban and rural transport systems smarter, greener, and more efficient.
14. Oshin Rawlley – Intelligent Transportation for a Greener Future:
Pioneering AI-driven Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) at IIT Indore, Oshin Rawlley’s 2025 research focused on real-time decision-making for green mobility.
Her algorithms, leveraging sensor data and traffic patterns, optimized public transport routes and minimized carbon emissions. Her work is not just theoretical; it’s being implemented in pilot smart cities, promising a tangible reduction in urban pollution.
15. Jhillika Trisal – AI for Inclusive Education:
Jhillika Trisal, the visionary founder of Cognitii, scaled her AI-powered ecosystem in 2025 to revolutionize inclusive education.
Cognitii‘s mobile-based platform uses AI to identify early signs of learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, particularly in underserved schools.
By providing personalized learning pathways and connecting educators with specialized resources, Jhillika is ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
IV. Navigating the Corporate Galaxy: Tech & Corporate Visionaries
These women are not just excelling in STEM; they are leading multinational corporations, steering them toward innovation, sustainability, and ethical growth.
16. Roshni Nadar Malhotra – Championing Engineering & R&D:
As the Chairperson of HCLTech, Roshni Nadar Malhotra‘s strategic leadership in 2025 saw the company make a pivotal shift.
She significantly augmented HCLTech’s focus on “Engineering and R&D Services,” transforming it into a global hub for cutting-edge AI innovation, cybersecurity solutions, and advanced product development.
Her vision is cultivating a robust ecosystem where Indian talent is at the forefront of global tech creation.
17. Bhawna Agarwal – Reshaping Consultative Tech Leadership:
Appointed as the Managing Director of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) India in 2025, Bhawna Agarwal initiated a profound shift in the corporate tech model.
She successfully moved HPE India from a product-centric sales approach to a relationship-based, consultative tech leadership model, deeply embedding HPE’s solutions within their clients’ strategic growth objectives. Her leadership highlights the power of empathy and deep understanding in tech partnerships.
18. Chandrika Deb – Empowering Creativity Through Localized Design:
As Canva’s lead in India, Chandrika Deb ignited a “democratization of design” movement in 2025.
She spearheaded the launch of AI-powered localization tools within Canva, making professional design accessible in over a dozen Indian regional languages. Her initiatives empowered millions of small businesses, educators, and content creators to articulate their visions with ease, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of digital creativity.
19. Savitha Balachandran – The Financial Architect of Green Mobility:
As the Chief Financial Officer of Tata Technologies, Savitha Balachandran played an indispensable role in 2025, financing large-scale Electric Vehicle (EV) engineering projects and advanced manufacturing initiatives.
Her ability to navigate complex global financing landscapes and her strategic financial planning were crucial in bridging the gap between ambitious technological visions and their successful implementation, propelling India’s EV revolution.
20. Aarti Singh – Integrating IT for Aerospace Innovation:
Aarti Singh, the dynamic Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Mahindra Group, led the charge in 2025 for enterprise IT alignment for aerospace innovations.
Her work involved integrating complex IT systems across diverse business units to support Mahindra’s ventures into drone technology, advanced aviation, and space components. Her strategic IT roadmap positioned India as a burgeoning hub for integrated tech solutions in the global aerospace sector.
V. Champions of Our Planet: Conservation & Environmental Scientists
In 2025, Indian women combined scientific rigor with grassroots activism to protect our planet’s invaluable biodiversity and foster sustainable living.
21. Dr. Purnima Devi Barman – The ‘Hargila Army’s’ Scientific General:
A renowned wildlife biologist, Dr. Purnima Devi Barman, who was also recognized as TIME‘s 2025 Woman of the Year, continued her unparalleled work in 2025.
She leveraged her scientific background to lead the “Hargila Army,” a remarkable all-female conservation group dedicated to saving the critically endangered Greater Adjutant Stork. Her community-led conservation model, integrating scientific research with local traditions, achieved record breeding successes for the species, proving that environmental solutions are often found at the intersection of science and community empowerment.
22. Dr. Divya Karnad – Sustainable Fisheries Through Indigenous Wisdom:
A visionary marine conservationist at Ashoka University, Dr. Divya Karnad was honored as the 2025 WINGS Woman of Discovery for her groundbreaking work. She championed the integration of indigenous scientific knowledge with modern conservation practices to advance sustainable fisheries along India’s coasts.
Her initiatives, focusing on traditional fishing gears and community-based resource management, significantly reduced bycatch and improved marine biodiversity, demonstrating the power of holistic ecological approaches.
23. Jayshree Vencatesan – Rescuing Urban Wetlands with Scientific Zeal:
Known as the “Guardian of Chennai’s Wetlands,” Jayshree Vencatesan’s tireless efforts culminated in 2025 with the successful restoration of significant portions of the critically important Pallikaranai Marsh. Her scientific approach to wetland ecology, involving hydrological modeling and bio-indicator species monitoring, revitalized this crucial urban ecosystem.
Her work, recognized with the prestigious UNDP Equator Prize, highlighted the vital role of wetlands in climate resilience and urban sustainability.
24. Dr. Sonali Ghosh – Tech-Enhanced Wildlife Safeguarding:
As the first woman field director of Kaziranga National Park, Dr. Sonali Ghosh brought a new era of tech-enhanced conservation in 2025.
She integrated advanced satellite tracking, AI-powered surveillance systems, and drone technology to safeguard Kaziranga’s iconic one-horned rhinoceros and other wildlife. Her strategic blend of technology and on-ground enforcement led to a significant reduction in poaching incidents and provided invaluable data for habitat management.
25. Prof. R Leshma Manogna – AI for Climate-Resilient Agriculture:
A brilliant researcher at BITS Goa, Prof. R Leshma Manogna made significant strides in 2025 by leveraging machine learning to predict commodity trends in agricultural markets.
Her AI models, analyzing climate data, soil conditions, and historical yields, provided crucial insights for farmers and policymakers. This work is vital for fostering climate-resilient farming practices and ensuring food security in the face of unpredictable weather patterns.
Conclusion: A Future Forged by RealShePower
The year 2025 was not just a collection of individual achievements; it was a collective crescendo, a powerful symphony played by Indian women in STEM, reverberating across the globe. These 25 women, through their unwavering dedication, intellectual prowess, and boundless courage, have not merely excelled in their chosen fields; they have redefined the very fabric of possibility. They have shown future generations that the ceiling is not an insurmountable barrier, but merely a construct waiting to be shattered.
At RealShePower, we believe these stories are more than just news; they are a mandate. A mandate to celebrate, to emulate, and to empower. As we step into 2026, let the echoes of their triumphs inspire every young girl and woman in India to pursue her dreams in STEM, knowing that the path has been cleared, the boundaries redefined, and the future is hers for the taking. The era of RealShePower is not just arriving; it has already begun, brilliantly, audaciously, and irrevocably.
Let their achievements be a reminder: the universe is vast, but the potential of an Indian woman in STEM is boundless.
