India’s higher education sector has expanded significantly over the past decade, with rising enrolment, more institutions, stronger female participation and improved infrastructure.
Higher Education System Records Significant Growth
India’s higher education sector has recorded substantial expansion over the past decade, with increases in the number of universities and colleges, student enrolment, faculty strength and infrastructure.
Data from the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) shows that the number of universities increased from 760 in 2014-15 to 1,289 in 2023-24, a growth of 69.6 per cent. Colleges increased from 38,498 to 48,246, while standalone institutions rose from 12,276 to 15,221.
The expansion supports the broader objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to build a holistic, multidisciplinary and inclusive education system.
Student Enrolment Rises 31.5 Per Cent
Total higher education enrolment increased by 31.5 per cent, from 3.42 crore students in 2014-15 to 4.50 crore in 2023-24.
The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) also improved from 23.7 per cent to 30 per cent during the period. The increase represents greater participation in higher education and progress towards the NEP 2020 target of achieving a 50 per cent GER by 2035.
Research participation also recorded strong growth. PhD enrolment increased from 1.17 lakh to 3.43 lakh, representing a rise of 192.89 per cent. Integrated programme enrolment recorded an even higher increase of 301.36 per cent.
Women’s Participation Shows Strong Progress
Female participation has grown faster than overall enrolment. Female enrolment increased by 42.2 per cent, from 1.57 crore in 2014-15 to 2.24 crore in 2023-24.
Female GER rose from 22.9 per cent to 31.2 per cent, surpassing male GER of 28.9 per cent for the seventh consecutive year.
The Gender Parity Index also improved from 0.92 to 1.08, indicating that female participation has exceeded male participation at the aggregate level.
Greater Inclusion of SC, ST and OBC Students
The data also shows increased participation among socially disadvantaged groups.
The share of SC enrolment rose from 13.44 per cent to 15.5 per cent, while ST enrolment increased from 4.8 per cent to 6.4 per cent. OBC participation recorded the largest increase, rising from 32.8 per cent to 40.1 per cent.
GER among SC students increased from 18.9 per cent to 27.8 per cent, while ST GER rose from 13.5 per cent to 22.8 per cent.
STEM and International Enrolment Grow
Enrolment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) increased from 91.5 lakh to 1.02 crore between 2014-15 and 2023-24.
Foreign student enrolment also rose by around 37.5 per cent, from 42,293 to 58,134, indicating increasing international participation in Indian higher education.
Faculty and Infrastructure Expand
The number of higher education teachers increased from 14.73 lakh to 17.32 lakh over the decade. Female teachers recorded 36.7 per cent growth, although men continued to form the larger share of the teaching workforce.
Infrastructure coverage has also improved. In 2023-24, libraries were available in 98 per cent of universities, colleges and standalone institutions, while playgrounds were available in 94 per cent of universities, 95 per cent of colleges and 91 per cent of standalone institutions.
Key Takeaways
- Universities increased from 760 to 1,289.
- Higher education enrolment reached 4.50 crore.
- Female enrolment grew 42.2 per cent.
- Female GER reached 31.2 per cent.
- OBC enrolment share rose to 40.1 per cent.
- STEM enrolment crossed 1 crore.
- Teaching strength increased to 17.32 lakh.
