In India it is only a century since women were accepted as fully-fledged professionals on parallel lines to male doctors. Since Independence, governmental policies ensuring equal opportunities for women to work and health care for all have provided an impetus to women's involvement in the medical profession. The expansion in the facilities for professional knowledge and training as well as socio-cultural factors have allowed a substantial increase in the participation of women doctors, yet their number seems to be low compared with other women professionals as well as compared to male doctors. The historical, social, educational and professional participation of women is examined, and an analysis of data between 1950 and 1974 has been made to identify the changes in and possibilities for increasing participation of women doctors in India.
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