The Indian government has formally recognised the pervasive issue of gender bias in global medical research and clinical trials, highlighting critical differences in how diseases manifest and are treated in women. This acknowledgment came in a written reply by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
Government Recognises Systemic Disparities in Healthcare Research
In his response, Minister Jadhav stated that sex- and gender-related considerations in biomedical research are well-documented in scientific literature. He pointed out that ethical frameworks globally, and in India, mandate the avoidance of exclusion or unfair bias based on sex or gender. The government specifically noted disparities in areas like heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and chronic pain, where women often experience different symptoms and treatment outcomes compared to men.
The minister emphasised that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) adheres to its Biomedical Ethics Guidelines from 2017. These guidelines stress fairness in selecting participants and ensuring equitable protection for all subjects involved in research. All research funding decisions through ICMR are guided by scientific merit and overarching national health priorities.
Substantial Funding Increase and Focus on Women's Health
The government revealed a significant ramp-up in overall research investment. ICMR's total research grants have surged from Rs 2,358 crore in the 2021-22 fiscal year to Rs 3,125.50 crore in 2025-26. While a separate, exclusive proportion for women's health was not specified, the government confirmed that a multitude of projects addressing women's health issues are supported through both extramural and intramural programmes.
A key institution in this effort is the ICMR's National Institute of Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH) in Mumbai. This institute, dedicated to improving reproductive and child health outcomes, has spent a total of Rs 304.35 crore over the past five years.
Beyond ICMR, other ministries are also contributing. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has funded women's health research through a dedicated vertical, allocating Rs 50.5 crore in the last five years.
Initiatives to Support Women Scientists and Ensure Ethical Representation
To bolster female participation in the research field itself, the Department of Health Research runs a Women Scientist Programme. This initiative, part of the Human Resource Development for Health Research scheme, aids women researchers returning to biomedical science after career breaks. Since 2021-22, fellowships worth Rs 50.43 crore have been awarded, supporting 215 women scientists.
On ensuring adequate female representation in clinical trials and studies, the minister outlined robust measures. ICMR's National Ethical Guidelines mandate fair and scientifically justified participant selection. Ethics Committees are required to scrutinise study protocols to prevent unwarranted exclusion and enforce appropriate safeguards.
To oversee this, the National Ethics Committee Registry for Biomedical and Health Research, operational since 2019, has registered 1,793 ethics committees across the country to monitor research involving human participants.
This comprehensive reply underscores a dual government focus: first, acknowledging historical gaps in gender-inclusive medical research, and second, detailing a substantial financial and structural commitment to correcting these disparities through focused funding, institutional support, and stringent ethical oversight.
