New Delhi, January 29 (MExN): Enrollment in higher education in India increased passed the 4 crore-mark for the first time increasing to 4.14 crore in 2020-21 from 3.85 crore in 2019-20 or 7.5%, informed the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2020-2021.
The female enrolment has increased to 2.01 crore from 1.88 crore in 2019-20 and the percentage of their enrolment to total enrolment increased from 45% in 2014-15 to around 49% in 2020-21, informed an official release by the Ministry of Education (MoE.)
It further noted that female enrolment in North East States stood at 6.14 lakh in 2020-21, higher than the male enrolment of 5.92 lakh, indicating 104 female for every 100 male students. The total Enrolment in NE States stood at 12.06 Lakh in 2020-21.
Overall, the Gender Parity Index (GPI) in India increased from 1 in 2017-18 to 1.05 in 2020-21.
Meanwhile, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) has improved from previous year for all social groups, the report said, highlighting significant increase of 28% in enrolment of SC students, 47% ST and 32% OBCs, as compared to 2014-15.
Out of the total enrolment, about 79.06% of the total students are enrolled in undergraduate level courses and 11.5% are in postgraduate level courses.
Among Disciplines at undergraduate level, enrollment is highest in Arts (33.5%), followed by Science (15.5%), Commerce (13.9%) and Engineering & Technology (11.9%).
At postgraduate level, it was Social Science (20.56%) followed by science (14.83%).
In 2020-21, the total number of Universities/University like institutions registered were 1,113, Colleges 43,796 and Standalone Institutions 11,296. The Institutes of National Importance (INIs) stood at 149.
Accordingly, the College Density or the number of colleges per lakh eligible population (population in the age-group 18-23 years) was 31.
The MoE has been conducting the AISHE since 2011, covering all higher educational institutions located in Indian Territory and imparting higher education (HEIs) in the country. The survey collects detailed information on different parameters such as student enrollment, teacher’s data, infrastructural information, financial information etc.
