The Story of Gross Enrolment Ratio in India

The newly released All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023–24 reports data on the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education for the eligible age cohort of 18 to 23 years.

GER acts as a primary barometer of developmental health, reflecting the percentage of younger citizens who manage to cross the threshold of senior secondary school and enter colleges or universities.

At an aggregate national level, the total GER stands at exactly 30%. This represents significant progress in higher education participation across the country.

The Gender Parity in higher education is equally encouraging. The female GER, recorded at 31.2%, outpaces the male enrolment ratio, which stands at 28.9%. This structural shift has been supported by social welfare policies, targeted scholarships, and changing parental mindsets.

However, a closer look at the data reveals a different dimension. For Scheduled Caste (SC) categories, the total enrolment ratio drops to 27.8%, with the gender parity trend persisting as females lead at 29.3% compared to males at 26.4%.

The contraction is more pronounced among the Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, where the national GER drops to 22.8%, with the male ratio at 21.9% and the female ratio at 23.7%. These numbers highlight that while gender-centric barriers are breaking down across communities, systematic vulnerabilities related to caste, geography, and ancestral economic deprivation continue to pull down the collective national average.

The geographical distribution of the enrolment ratio also reflects an uneven educational landscape. The top five regions of India in terms of GER performance are heavily led by Union Territories and economically stable states.

Puducherry ranks at the top with a GER of 72.3%, followed by Chandigarh at 58.5%. Delhi occupies the third position with 53%. Among larger states, Tamil Nadu secures the fourth spot at 52.3%, while Uttarakhand rounds out the top five with a GER of 48.5%.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 sets an ambitious goal of achieving a 50% GER in higher education across the country by 2035.

With the current national GER at 30%, the gap to the 50% target remains significant and will require sustained efforts to expand access, improve affordability, and ensure greater participation in higher education across all sections of society.