Archive · 31 Aug 2026
India’s Higher Education Enrolment Reaches 4.50 Crore
More people in India are going to colleges and universities than ten years ago.
The total number of higher-education students reached 4.50 crore in 2023–24.
The share of eligible young people enrolled also rose to 30%.
India had more universities, colleges and standalone institutions than in 2014–15.
The number of female students grew faster than total enrolment, reaching 2.24 crore.
The Gender Parity Index rose above one, showing higher female participation overall.
The shares of SC, ST and OBC students also increased.
STEM subjects, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics, had 1.02 crore students in 2023–24.
Higher-education enrolment rose 31.5% from 3.42 crore in 2014–15 to 4.50 crore in 2023–24.
The gross enrolment ratio increased from 23.7% to 30% during the period.
Universities grew from 760 to 1,289, while colleges increased from 38,498 to 48,246.
Female enrolment rose 42.2% to 2.24 crore, and the overall Gender Parity Index improved to 1.08.
SC, ST and OBC enrolment shares increased, while STEM enrolment reached 1.02 crore in 2023–24.
- Who
- Students in India, including female students and students from SC, ST and OBC communities.
- What
- Higher-education enrolment, institutions and participation increased over the decade ending in 2023–24.
- When
- From 2014–15 to 2023–24, with additional GER data for 2022–23.
- Where
- Across India.
- Why
- The official statement attributes the increase to growing access and participation and says it supports the National Education Policy 2020 target of a 50% higher-education GER by 2035.
- Total enrolment
- 4.50 crore students in 2023–24, up from 3.42 crore in 2014–15.
- Gross enrolment ratio
- 30% in 2023–24, compared with 23.7% in 2014–15 and 29.5% in 2022–23.
- Universities
- 1,289 in 2023–24, up from 760 in 2014–15, a 69.6% increase.
- Colleges
- 48,246 in 2023–24, up from 38,498 in 2014–15.
- Female enrolment
- 2.24 crore in 2023–24, up 42.2% from 1.57 crore in 2014–15.
- Gender Parity Index
- The overall GPI rose from 0.92 to 1.08; SC GPI rose from 0.91 to 1.11, and ST GPI from 0.81 to 1.08.
- Social-category shares
- SC enrolment rose to 15.5%, ST to 6.4% and OBC to 40.1% in 2023–24.
- STEM enrolment
- STEM enrolment increased from 91.5 lakh in 2014–15 to 1.02 crore in 2023–24, approximately 11.5% growth.
