FemTech Industry in India
Science & Technology
- PYQs4
- Articles1
Background
Examines the intersection of technology, healthcare innovation, the role of the private sector in social services, and its potential to address specific demographic needs while also highlighting challenges related to access, regulation, and sustainability.
FemTech, or female technology, refers to a category of software, diagnostics, products, and services that leverage technology to improve women's health. In India, it has emerged as a significant sector utilizing digital platforms to address specific healthcare gaps, particularly for chronic conditions like Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).
Facts & tables
- Market Size
- India's FemTech market estimated at $1.48 billion as of 2025.
- Integrated Care Model
- Curates multi-specialty care packages involving general practitioners, diabetologists, endocrinologists, gynaecologists, dermatologists, nutritionists, fitness trainers, and psychologists.
- Motivation
- Addresses gaps in conventional healthcare, particularly the fertility-centric and often stigmatizing approach to women's health.
- Delivery Method
- Utilizes digital consultations to offer greater privacy and flexibility, especially for unmarried women.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Digital Transformation |
| Conceptual area | Healthcare Innovation |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Policy measures
- Leverages digital platforms for integrated women's healthcare.
- Addresses gaps in conventional, fertility-centric care.
- Offers privacy and flexibility via remote consultations.
- Faces challenges: affordability, digital divide, market volatility, lack of regulation.
- Cannot substitute robust public healthcare infrastructure.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2019 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Policy measures |
Timeline
-
Digital Transformation
Conceptual area
-
Healthcare Innovation
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2019
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
The FemTech industry’s approach to PMOS
FemTech in India is a growing digital health sector providing integrated, multi-specialty care for women's health, addressing conventional healthcare gaps but facing challenges of access, affordability, market volatility, and regulatory safeguards.
See also
Past papers
2017–2022 · 2 questions
In the news
The FemTech industry’s approach to PMOS
FemTech in India is a growing digital health sector providing integrated, multi-specialty care for women's health, addressing conventional healthcare gaps but facing challenges of access, affordability, market volatility, and regulatory safeguards.
Try these PYQs
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017?
1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of our country into Smart Cities in a decade.
2. It is an initiative to identify new digital technology innovations for solving the many problems faced by our country.
3. It is a programme aimed at making all the financial transactions in our country completely digital in a decade.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is not a scheme for developing Smart Cities. Instead, it is a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying innovative digital technology solutions to solve real-world challenges across various sectors. Statement 2 is correct: The Government of India launched the Smart India Hackathon to encourage students and professionals to develop innovative digital solutions for challenges in agriculture, health, education, energy, environment, and other domains. It serves as a platform for young minds to engage in problem-solving and contribute to technological advancements. Statement 3 is incorrect: While the hackathon focuses on digital technology innovations, it is not specifically centered on digital financial transactions. Instead, it covers a wide range of sectors where technology can drive efficiency and innovation. Hence, correct answer is option (B).
Consider the following
1. Aarogya Setu
2. CoWIN
3. Digi Locker
4. DIKSHA
Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms?
An open-source digital platform is essentially a software platform where the underlying code is freely available for anyone to see, modify, and distribute. This openness fosters collaboration, transparency, and innovation in software development. All of the above (1. Aarogya Setu, 2. CoWIN, 3. Digi Locker, 4. DIKSHA) are built on top of open-source digital platforms. - Aarogya Setu initially wasn't open-source, but the Indian government later made its source code available. - CoWIN leverages open-source software for its development. - DigiLocker utilizes an open-source platform called Digital Locker System.
- DIKSHA is built on the open-source platform Sunbird.
Consider the following statements:
A digital signature is
1. an electronic record that identifies the certifying authority issuing it
2. used to serve as a proof of identity of an individual to access information or server on Internet
3. an electronic method of signing an electronic document and ensuring that the original content is unchanged
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. A digital signature doesn't directly identify the certifying authority that issued it. It uses a complex cryptographic process involving a public-key infrastructure (PKI) where a trusted third party (Certificate Authority) verifies the signer's identity and issues a digital certificate used for creating the signature. Statement 2 is incorrect. While digital signatures can be used for authentication purposes in certain scenarios, they are not the primary method for user identification when accessing information or servers on the internet. Usernames, passwords, and other credentials are more commonly used. Statement 3 is correct. It ensures the integrity of an electronic document by creating a unique digital fingerprint that is linked to the content. Any alteration to the document would invalidate the signature.
"3D printing" has applications in which of the following?
1. Preparation of confectionery items
2. Manufacture of bionic ears
3. Automotive industry
4. Reconstructive surgeries
5. Data processing technologies
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. It is used in a wide range of industries and has various applications. It can be used to create intricate and customized shapes in confectionery items like chocolates, candies, and other desserts. It has been used to create customized bionic ears for people with hearing impairments. It is used in the automotive industry for rapid prototyping, manufacturing of customized parts, and even some production of vehicle components. It is used in reconstructive surgeries to create patient-specific implants, prosthetics, and surgical guides. It can be used to create specialized components and parts for data processing technologies, such as computer hardware. Therefore, all the five statements are correct.