Backgrounder: a decade of higher education growth (AISHE, NEP 2020)
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A PIB backgrounder of 30 August 2026 uses AISHE data to show a decade of change in higher education. Between 2014-15 and 2023-24 universities rose from 760 to 1,289, enrolment from 3.42 crore to 4.50 crore, and GER from 23.7 to 30 per cent. Female GER reached 31.2 per cent, ahead of male GER.
- Source
- All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), Ministry of Education
- Universities
- 760 (2014-15) to 1,289 (2023-24)
- Enrolment
- 3.42 crore to 4.50 crore
- GER
- 23.7% to 30% (2023-24)
- Female GER
- 31.2%, above male 28.9%
- NEP 2020 target
- GER 50% by 2035
A decade of higher education growth (AISHE): what happened?
NEP 2020 wants half of young Indians in higher education by 2035. AISHE, the Ministry of Education’s yearly survey, is how we track that goal. This backgrounder pulls ten years of AISHE numbers together, and they are very useful for essays and GS answers on education and gender.
- Colleges grew from 38,498 to 48,246 and standalone institutions from 12,276 to 15,221.
- Female enrolment grew 42.2 per cent, from 1.57 crore to 2.24 crore.
- Out-turn rose from 88.28 lakh to over 1.09 crore.
- Teachers rose from 14.73 lakh to 17.32 lakh; women were 44.9 per cent in 2023-24.
- Foreign students rose from 42,293 to 58,134.
How has inclusion changed?
- Gender Parity Index rose from 0.92 to 1.08; for SC from 0.91 to 1.11 and for ST from 0.81 to 1.08.
- SC share of enrolment rose from 13.44 to 15.5 per cent, ST from 4.8 to 6.4 per cent and OBC from 32.8 to 40.1 per cent.
- GER for SC students rose from 18.9 to 27.8 per cent and for ST from 13.5 to 22.8 per cent.
- Female GER has been above male GER for the seventh year in a row.
Where are the gaps?
- PwBD enrolment was 54,080 in 2023-24, with 34,080 males and 20,000 females, showing a gender gap.
- STEM enrolment grew only about 11.5 per cent, from 91.5 lakh to 1.02 crore.
- Men still form the larger share of teachers.
What is the Gender Parity Index?
- It is the ratio of female GER to male GER.
- A value of 1 means parity; below 1 favours males; above 1 favours females.
Who governs higher education under the Constitution?
- Entry 66 of List I gives the Union coordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research.
- Entry 25 of List III covers education, including universities, subject to entries 63 to 66 of List I.
How did enrolment change by level?
| Level | 2014-15 | 2023-24 | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ph.D | 1.17 lakh | 3.43 lakh | 192.89% |
| Post Graduate | 38.53 lakh | 57.85 lakh | 50.15% |
| Under Graduate | 2.71 crore | 3.45 crore | 27.27% |
| Diploma | 25.08 lakh | 33.15 lakh | 32.22% |
| Integrated | 1.41 lakh | 5.69 lakh | 301.36% |
How does data feed policy?
- AISHE collects data from institutions every year
- Ministry tracks GER, parity and enrolment
- Gaps are identified, such as PwBD and STEM
- Policy responses under NEP 2020
- Progress towards GER of 50 per cent by 2035
Why does a decade of higher education growth (AISHE) matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Access | GER up from 23.7 to 30 per cent in a decade. |
| Women | Female GER and GPI now favour women. |
| Social justice | SC, ST and OBC shares and GERs have risen. |
| Research | Ph.D enrolment nearly tripled. |
| Global | More foreign students choose India. |
What are the challenges in a decade of higher education growth (AISHE)?
- GER of 30 per cent is still far from the 50 per cent target for 2035.
- Women with disabilities lag in access.
- Expansion in numbers must be matched by quality and jobs.
What should be done next on a decade of higher education growth (AISHE)?
- Push GER towards 50 per cent by 2035.
- Close the PwBD gender gap.
- Raise STEM and research capacity.
What can Prelims ask on a decade of higher education growth (AISHE)?
- AISHE: annual survey by the Ministry of Education.
- GER 2023-24: 30%; female 31.2%, male 28.9%; GPI 1.08.
- Universities 1,289; colleges 48,246 (2023-24).
- NEP 2020 target: GER 50% by 2035.
How to write about a decade of higher education growth (AISHE) in Mains
Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): India’s higher education has expanded fast, but access is not yet equal. Examine using AISHE data.
- Intro: AISHE, NEP 2020 target.
- Growth: institutions, enrolment, GER.
- Inclusion: women, SC, ST, OBC.
- Gaps: PwBD, STEM, quality.
- Conclusion: road to 50 per cent.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-08-30): PIB reviews a decade of higher-education growth using AISHE data and NEP 2020 goals linked to SDG 4.
- Access, equity and quality remain the core debates.
Quotable data pointPIB reviews a decade of higher-education growth using AISHE data and NEP 2020 goals linked to SDG 4.
PIB: PIB Backgrounder: Higher education, 30 Aug 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: AISHE; NEP GER target.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
According to AISHE, India's Gender Parity Index in higher education in 2023-24 was
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB Backgrounder, 30 Aug 2026.
NEP 2020 aims to raise GER in higher education to 50% by
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB Backgrounder, 30 Aug 2026.
Coordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education is in
Answer (a) & explanation
Constitution of India, Seventh Schedule.
Questions students ask about this
What was India's higher education GER in 2023-24?
30 per cent, up from 23.7 per cent in 2014-15.
Is female GER higher than male GER?
Yes. Female GER was 31.2 per cent against 28.9 per cent for males in 2023-24, the seventh year in a row.
What is AISHE?
The All India Survey on Higher Education, conducted every year by the Ministry of Education.
What GER target does NEP 2020 set?
50 per cent by 2035.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: PIB Backgrounder: Higher education, 30 Aug 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending