Married at 15, widowed at 18 with a baby: She became India's first female engineer in 1943, defying all odds

At a time when women were rarely encouraged to pursue higher education, A Lalitha chose a path few could imagine. Married at just 15, she became a mother and lost her husband only four months after her daughter was born. Instead of allowing widowhood to determine her future, Lalitha returned to education with her father's support. She eventually entered the College of Engineering, Guindy, an institution then dominated by men, and went on to make history as India's first female engineer.

Who was A Lalitha, India's first female engineer?

Su Ayyalasomayajula Lalitha, popularly known as A Lalitha, was born into a Telugu-speaking family in Madras. Engineering was already familiar within her family. Her father, Pappu Subba Rao, was a professor at the College of Engineering, Guindy, while her brothers also studied engineering there. Lalitha's own journey, however, took a dramatically different turn. She was married at 15 and gave birth to her daughter, Syamala, in 1937. Just four months later, her husband died, leaving Lalitha widowed with a young child.

At a time when social expectations could have forced her to abandon her education and remain confined to household responsibilities, Lalitha decided she wanted to become self-sufficient and build a secure future for her daughter.

Her father's support helped her return to education

Lalitha resumed her education at Queen Mary's College in Chennai, where she completed her Intermediate education with first-class marks. Several Indian women had already begun pursuing professional education. Pioneers such as Janaki Ammal and Kadambini Ganguly had broken barriers, particularly in fields such as medicine. Lalitha, however, did not want to pursue medicine.

Her reason was deeply personal. She did not want a career that would require her to spend long periods away from her daughter. Engineering appealed to her because she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father and brothers while also pursuing a profession that would allow her regular working hours. Her father supported the decision and approached the principal of CEG, Dr K.C. Chacko, on her behalf.

A Lalitha entered an all-male engineering college

Getting into engineering college was not straightforward. Although Lalitha's academic performance was good enough to qualify for admission, the College of Engineering, Guindy was an all-male institution at the time. Her admission required convincing the college authorities as well as obtaining permission from the British government.

The principal and Director of Public Instruction RM Statham eventually decided that the college should open its doors to women students. Lalitha was admitted in 1940 to the four-year electrical engineering programme at CEG. Despite initial reluctance, college authorities and officials supported her education. She studied alongside other pioneering women engineers, including P.K. Thressia and Leelamma Koshie, née George.

Lalitha balanced engineering studies and motherhood

Lalitha's daughter Syamala later recalled her mother's determination in an interview with The Better India. According to Syamala, after her father's death, Lalitha decided not to give in to social pressure. She wanted to educate herself and earn a respectable living. Syamala also recalled that Lalitha was the only girl among hundreds of male students at the college. Contrary to what people might expect, she said the students were extremely supportive and never made her feel uncomfortable.

The authorities also arranged separate accommodation for Lalitha. While she studied, Syamala stayed with her uncle, and Lalitha would visit her daughter every weekend.

The story behind India's first female engineer

A video shared by the Womaniyaco account highlighted how Lalitha defied the expectations placed on a young widow and mother. It described how she refused to let tragedy end her education and instead chose engineering as a path towards independence. The video further highlighted her experience of entering an all-male engineering campus and balancing her studies with single motherhood. It described Lalitha as someone who rewrote the rules at a time when women faced significant barriers in education and professional careers.

Reports by Whastic also noted that Lalitha's father and brothers had studied engineering at the College of Engineering, Guindy.

Her daughter's words reveal what drove Lalitha

Syamala's recollections offer a glimpse into Lalitha's motivation beyond her historic achievement. In her interview with The Better India, she said her mother had suffered more than she should have after her husband's death. Yet Lalitha chose not to surrender to societal expectations. Instead, she decided to educate herself and build a respectable career. Her decision was not simply about becoming the first woman to enter an engineering profession. She wanted financial independence and a stable life for the daughter she was raising.

By entering electrical engineering at CEG in 1940 and completing her degree, Lalitha broke into a field that had previously been closed to women in India. She went on to become India's first female engineer, with her journey becoming an important chapter in the history of women's education and engineering in the country.