Archive · 30 Aug 2026
India’s Higher Education Network Expands Sharply Over Decade
India had many more universities and colleges in 2023–24 than it did ten years earlier.
The number of universities grew by nearly 70%.
More students also joined higher education, reaching about 4.5 crore.
The share of young people enrolled in higher education rose to 30%.
The survey also found that participation between males and females became more balanced.
Gender parity improved among Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students as well.
More students studied science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The government said this growth supports a more accessible and inclusive education system.
India’s universities increased from 760 in 2014–15 to 1,289 in 2023–24, a 69.6% rise.
The number of colleges grew 25.3%, from 38,498 to 48,246 during the decade.
Higher education enrolment increased 31.5%, reaching 4.5 crore students in 2023–24.
The Gross Enrolment Ratio rose from 23.7% to 30%, moving toward the National Education Policy’s 50% target for 2035.
Gender parity and STEM participation improved, with GPI reaching 1.08 and STEM enrolment rising to 1.02 crore.
- Who
- India’s higher education institutions, students and the Ministry of Education’s All India Survey on Higher Education.
- What
- The survey reported substantial growth in universities, colleges, enrolment, gender parity and STEM participation.
- When
- The comparison covers 2014–15 to 2023–24; the findings were reported on Sunday.
- Where
- Across India.
- Why
- The expansion is intended to widen access and participation in higher education and support the National Education Policy, 2020.
- Universities
- Increased from 760 in 2014–15 to 1,289 in 2023–24.
- Colleges
- Increased from 38,498 to 48,246, a 25.3% rise.
- Standalone institutions
- Increased from 12,276 to 15,221, or about 24%.
- Student enrolment
- Rose from 3.42 crore to 4.5 crore, a 31.5% increase.
- Gross Enrolment Ratio
- Reached 30% in 2023–24, up from 23.7% in 2014–15.
- Gender Parity Index
- Improved from 0.92 to 1.08 overall; the Scheduled Caste figure reached 1.11 and the Scheduled Tribe figure 1.08.
- STEM enrolment
- Increased from 91.5 lakh to 1.02 crore, an overall rise of about 11.5%.