Monday, June 8, 2026

Girl Power In IITs: Number Of Female Students Qualifying For Counselling More Than Doubles In 10 Years

Female students are getting more opportunities through the Female Pool quota under the Supernumerary Scheme.

With changing times, courses have evolved, and subjects such as AI, Machine Learning, and Computer Science have increased the interest of female students.

This year, a record 10,107 female students have qualified the highest ever so far.

Girls are increasingly making their mark in engineering education and competing on an equal footing with their male counterparts. The number of female students securing admission opportunities in India’s prestigious IITs has been rising steadily over the years. According to the JEE Advanced 2026 results, the number of girls qualifying for counselling has reached an all-time high.

This year, 10,107 girls qualified for JEE Advanced counselling, accounting for 17.76 percent of the total qualified candidates. Never before has the number of qualified girls crossed the 10,000 mark. A significant contribution to this achievement has come from ALLEN Career Institute, where 1,044 girl students qualified for counselling this year.

Adding to the institute’s success, Arohi Deshpande, a student of ALLEN Kota, emerged as the All India Girl Topper, securing AIR 77. Over the last decade, the number of girls qualifying for JEE Advanced counselling has more than doubled—from 4,570 in 2016 to 10,107 in 2026.

Nitin Kukreja, CEO of ALLEN Career Institute, said that the growing interest of girls in engineering education is a positive sign for the country's future. “The increasing participation of girls in technical fields is driving social transformation. ALLEN remains committed to creating awareness about engineering education among female students and encouraging them to pursue their aspirations. This year, 1,044 girls from ALLEN qualified, and we expect a large number of them to secure admission to IITs,” he said.

Speaking about her achievement, Arohi Deshpande, the All India Girl Topper in JEE Advanced 2026, said that one should always dream big and work hard to achieve those dreams. “My family supported me throughout my journey and stayed with me in Kota for four years. The guidance provided by ALLEN faculty members played a crucial role in my success. The result exceeded my expectations, and I am delighted to emerge as the girl topper,” she said.

More Than 50,000 Girls Studying in Kota
Kota, India's most prominent hub for engineering and medical entrance examination preparation, attracts students from across the country. More than 50,000 girl students are currently studying in the city. Owing to national-level competition, a safe environment, and quality education, students preparing in Kota generally achieve better success rates compared to many other cities and states.

Three Key Reasons behind the Rise in Girls’ Participation in Engineering Education
1. Supernumerary Quota for Girls
To encourage female participation in engineering education, the Government of India introduced the Supernumerary Quota in IIT admissions in 2018. Under this initiative, girls were offered an additional 14 percent of seats through the female-only pool. The quota was increased to 17 percent in 2019 and further raised to 20 percent in 2020. Currently, girls are offered admission against 20 percent additional seats under this scheme.
2. Technological Transformation
The rapid growth of technology sectors such as Information Technology, Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly enhanced the appeal of engineering among girls. Earlier, engineering was primarily associated with field-based disciplines such as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Communication Engineering. However, the emergence of technology-driven careers and computer-based work environments has made engineering more accessible and attractive for female students. The availability of high-paying career opportunities in these fields has further boosted interest among girls.
3. Increased Awareness across Rural India
At one time, institutions like IITs and NITs were largely known only in metropolitan cities. The growth of coaching for IIT-JEE and the success of students from small towns and villages in securing IIT admissions helped spread awareness across the country. As stories of successful careers and lucrative international salary packages reached society, students from rural areas became increasingly aware of these opportunities. Along with boys, girls from villages and small towns also began aspiring to join IITs, resulting in greater female participation in engineering entrance examinations.

Qualified Girls in JEE Advanced
Year Qualified Girls
2016 -4,570
2017 -7,259
2018 -4,179
2019 -5,356
2020 -6,707
2021 -6,452
2022 -6,516
2023 -7,509
2024 -7,964
2025 -9,404
2026 -10,107

Growth in Girl Registrations
Year Registered Girls
2016 -27,778
2017 -29,872
2018 -31,021
2019 -33,249
2020 -32,851
2021 -32,285
2022 -33,608
2023 -40,645
2024 -41,020
2025 -41,337
2026 -43,112

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