India’s higher education enrolment surges 31.5% to 4.5 crore, women and disadvantaged groups lead growth

India's higher education sector has registered significant growth over the past decade, with total student enrolment reaching 4.5 crore in the 2023-24 academic year, according to the latest reports of the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) released by the Union Ministry of Education. The figures represent a 31.5% increase from 3.42 crore in 2014-15.

The survey, covering 59,533 higher education institutions (HEIs) across the country with a participation rate of over 90%, highlights notable strides in inclusivity, female participation, and enrolment in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Data is self-reported by institutions through a web-based portal and subject to ministry validations.

A key finding is the sustained upward trend in women's participation. The Gender Parity Index (GPI) for 2023-24 stands at 1.08, remaining above 1 for seven consecutive years, indicating that female enrolment now exceeds male enrolment. The gross enrolment ratio (GER) for the 18-23 age group reached 30 nationally, with female GER at 31.2, surpassing the national average.

Enrolment among Scheduled Castes (SC) has jumped 51.4% since 2014-15, reaching 69.72 lakh, with their GER rising from 18.9 to 27.8. Scheduled Tribes (ST) saw a 75.7% increase to 28.83 lakh, and GER improving from 13.5 to 22.8. Other Backward Classes (OBC) enrolment expanded by 60.2% to 1.80 crore over the decade.

In STEM fields, total enrolment reached 1.02 crore in 2023-24. The share of women in STEM programmes has risen steadily to 44%, up from 38.4% a decade ago. The number of faculty members has grown to 17.32 lakh, with women comprising 44.9% (7.78 lakh) of the teaching workforce.