Growing presence of Girls in IITs

Number of Female Candidates Qualifying for Counselling More Than Doubles in a Decade

India’s premier engineering institutions are witnessing a remarkable rise in female participation. The Results of JEE Advanced 2026 have highlighted a significant milestone, with the highest-ever number of girls qualifying for IIT admissions counselling.

This year, 10,107 female candidates qualified for counselling, accounting for 17.76% of all successful candidates. For the first time in the history of the examination, the number of qualified girls has crossed the 10,000 mark.

The achievement reflects a changing educational landscape where young women are increasingly choosing engineering as a career path and competing successfully at the highest level.

The trend also demonstrates the growing confidence among female students to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

ALLEN Students Make a Strong Contribution

Among the qualified candidates, students from ALLEN Career Institute have made a significant contribution.

A total of 1,044 female students from the institute qualified for IIT counselling this year.

Adding to the institute’s success, Arohi Deshpande emerged as the top-ranked girl in JEE Advanced 2026 by securing All India Rank 77.

The performance showcases the growing presence of female aspirants in highly competitive national-level examinations and highlights the role of academic guidance, mentorship, and focused preparation in helping students achieve their goals.

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Female Qualifiers More Than Double in Ten Years

The rise in the number of girls qualifying for IIT admissions has been extraordinary over the past decade.

In 2016, only 4,570 female candidates qualified for counselling. By 2026, this figure had increased to 10,107, representing more than a twofold growth within ten years.

This steady upward trend reflects changing societal attitudes, increased awareness about engineering careers, and greater access to quality coaching and educational resources for girls across the country.

Growing Interest in Engineering Signals Positive Change

According to education experts, the increasing participation of girls in engineering is a positive indicator for India’s future. Greater gender diversity in technical education strengthens innovation, broadens perspectives, and contributes to inclusive growth.

Institutions across the country have been actively encouraging female students to explore engineering careers, and the results are becoming increasingly visible.

More girls are not only appearing for competitive examinations but are also securing top ranks and earning admission to prestigious institutes.

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Arohi Deshpande’s Message to Aspirants

JEE Advanced 2026 Girl Topper Arohi Deshpande believes that success begins with the courage to dream. She credits her achievement to consistent hard work, family support, and academic guidance.

Her family stayed with her in Kota throughout her preparation journey, while experienced faculty members helped her remain focused and motivated.

Her success story serves as an inspiration for thousands of students, particularly young girls from smaller towns and cities, who aspire to secure admission to the country’s top engineering institutes.

Why Are More Girls Choosing Engineering?

Several factors have contributed to the increasing participation of girls in engineering education. Among them, three major developments stand out.

• Supernumerary Female Quota Boosted Opportunities

One of the most significant initiatives was the introduction of the Supernumerary Female Quota in IIT admissions. To encourage greater participation of women in engineering, the Government of India announced additional seats exclusively for female candidates in 2018.

Under this initiative, 14% additional seats were initially reserved through the female-only pool. The percentage was increased to 17% in 2019 and further expanded to 20% in 2020. At present, IITs continue to offer 20% additional seats for female candidates under this scheme.

The policy has played a crucial role in improving gender representation across IIT campuses and motivating more girls to prepare for engineering entrance examinations.

• Technological Transformation Changed Career Preferences

The rapid evolution of technology has also contributed significantly to this trend. Earlier, engineering was often associated with traditional branches such as Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Communication Engineering.

However, the emergence of Computer Science, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, and related fields has transformed the perception of engineering careers. These disciplines offer exciting opportunities, innovation-driven work environments, and attractive salary packages.

As technology-driven careers continue to dominate the global job market, more female students are choosing engineering as a pathway to professional growth and financial independence.

• Awareness Reaching Every Corner of India

Awareness about IITs and engineering careers has expanded far beyond metropolitan cities. Over the years, success stories of students from small towns and rural areas have inspired a new generation of aspirants.

The popularity of IIT-JEE coaching, increased access to digital learning platforms, and widespread media coverage of successful candidates have helped families understand the value of technical education.

As a result, girls from villages, semi-urban regions, and remote districts are increasingly participating in engineering entrance examinations and securing admissions to top institutes.

Kota Continues to Attract Female Aspirants

Kota remains one of India’s leading destinations for engineering and medical entrance preparation. Every year, students from across the country travel to the city to prepare for highly competitive examinations.

Currently, more than 40,000 female students are studying in Kota. The city’s competitive academic environment, experienced faculty, structured preparation systems, and student-friendly infrastructure have helped thousands of girls achieve success in national-level examinations.

Many female students trained in Kota regularly secure top ranks in IIT-JEE and other competitive exams, further strengthening the city’s reputation as a hub for academic excellence.

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A New Era of Gender Diversity in Engineering

The growing participation of women in engineering education marks a significant transformation in India’s educational ecosystem.

With supportive policies, expanding career opportunities, improved awareness, and greater access to quality education, female representation in IITs is expected to continue rising in the coming years.

The record-breaking number of girls qualifying for JEE Advanced 2026 counselling is not just a statistical achievement—it is a reflection of changing aspirations, growing confidence, and a more inclusive future for engineering education in India.

Qualified Female Candidates in JEE Advanced

Growth in Female Registrations for JEE Advanced