Women Make Up 15% of India’s Pilots, Highest Globally, Says Scindia

Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday said women now make up 15% of India’s pilots — the highest proportion globally, ahead of the United States and Europe.

“India has the highest proportion of women pilots in the world, surpassing the US and Europe,” Scindia said at an event in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, where he announced the expansion of the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) and laid the foundation stone for a Post Office Passport Seva Kendra.

Launched in 2015 under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, SSY encourages parents to save for their daughters’ education and marriage. Scindia said over ₹190 crore has been deposited in 34,000 accounts in Morena alone, while Madhya Pradesh has 2.8 million accounts with ₹7,300 crore. Nationally, more than 30 million accounts have been opened with deposits crossing ₹2.1 lakh crore.

The minister also announced a new Passport Seva Kendra in Morena, which will spare residents the need to travel to Gwalior, Guna, or Bhopal. The centre will add 40 daily appointment slots and serve adjoining districts, including Sheopur and border areas of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Calling the new facility a “symbol of convenience and empowerment,” Scindia said the Modi government’s priority is women’s empowerment, which he described as key to India’s progress.