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Born into a family of scientists, Kamala Sohonie became the first Indian woman to receive a PhD in a scientific discipline in 1939. At a time when Indian women were conspicuously underrepresented in scientific fields, she not only carried out pioneering work in biochemistry but also helped pave the way for future Indian women to overcome gender bias and pursue their dreams. But the journey of the Indian biochemist was nothing short of extraordinary. Born in 1911 in Indore, she was the daughter of Narayanarao Bhagvat, a chemist, and her uncle, Madhavrao Bhagvat, was also a chemist and an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Science. Kamala’s love for chemistry began in her father’s small laboratory at home, where glass beakers clinked and chemicals fizzed like magic. Following in their footsteps, she graduated with a BSc degree in Chemistry (principal) and Physics (subsidiary) with flying colours from Bombay University in 1933. She topped her class in Chemistry, and her next dream was to join the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the holy grail of science education in India. CV Raman Rejected Her Admission When she applied for a research fellowship, her application was turned down by the then Director and Nobel Laureate, Prof. C. V. Raman. His reason? “The institute is not ready for women.” Raman believed that women were not suited for research, but Sohonie was determined to prove him wrong. She protested, publicly questioned Raman’s stance, met him face to face, and refused to leave until he reconsidered. After a tense exchange, he agreed to admit her, but only “on probation” until she proved herself “worthy” of being a scientist. During her time there, she was not allowed to enter the main laboratory during the day and had to work at night under supervision. Within a year, she completed her research with distinction, forcing IISc to revise its policy. The Cambridge Chapter: Where She Made History She then won a scholarship and went on to study at the University of Cambridge. Under Nobel Laureate Derek Richter, she examined how enzymes such as Cytochrome C functioned in plant tissues, research that was crucial to understanding how cells breathe and produce energy. In 1939, she earned a PhD in Biochemistry, becoming the first Indian woman ever to hold a doctorate in a scientific field. ALSO READ: UGC NET December 2025: NTA Issues Advisory Regarding Registration, Details Here Kamala Sohonie’s Research After completing her PhD, Sohonie returned to India and joined the faculty of Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi. She continued to study the nutritional benefits of certain foods and helped develop an affordable dietary supplement made from palm trees. This nutritious drink, called Neera, is a good source of vitamin C, iron, and other nutrients. It was shown to improve the health of malnourished children and pregnant women. Dr Sohonie was awarded the Rashtrapati Award for her work on Neera. She later worked at the Nutrition Research Laboratory in Koonoor and at the Royal Institute of Science in Bombay (now Mumbai), where she became the first female Director. Kamala Sohonie’s Demise She passed away in 1998 at the age of 86, leaving behind a scientific legacy rooted in resilience. Her life remains a symbol of determination, perseverance, and achievement. She broke barriers and paved the way for future generations of female scientists.CV Raman Refused Her Entry, Kamala Sohonie Went On to Rewrite Science History
