Archive · 27 Jul 2026
India's Higher Education Enrolment Gaps Persist
India's higher education enrolment has reached a national average of 30%, but there are big differences between regions and social groups.
Girls are enrolling more than boys, but Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have lower enrolment rates.
Some places like Puducherry and Delhi have very high enrolment rates, while others are far behind.
The government wants to reach a 50% enrolment rate by 2035, but it will be hard because many students drop out of school early, can't afford higher education, and don't have good colleges nearby.
To fix this, India needs to make higher education more affordable and accessible, especially in remote areas.
India's national Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education is 30%, with significant regional and social disparities.
Female GER (31.2%) has surpassed male GER (28.9%), indicating progress in gender parity.
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have lower enrolment ratios, at 27.8% and 22.8% respectively.
Top-performing regions include Puducherry (72.3%), Chandigarh (58.5%), Delhi (53%), Tamil Nadu (52.3%), and Uttarakhand (48.5%).
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to achieve a 50% GER by 2035, but current trends show a significant gap to bridge.
- Who
- Indian students aged 18 to 23
- What
- Gaps in higher education enrolment
- When
- As per the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24
- Where
- Across India, with significant regional disparities
- Why
- Due to economic, structural, and cultural realities, including high dropout rates, financial constraints, and geographic mismatches
Urban and Economically Stable States
Rural and Economically Underserved Regions
Enrolment Ratio
Urban and Economically Stable States
High enrolment ratios, with Puducherry at 72.3%, Chandigarh at 58.5%, Delhi at 53%, Tamil Nadu at 52.3%, and Uttarakhand at 48.5%.
Rural and Economically Underserved Regions
Low enrolment ratios, with Scheduled Tribes at 22.8%, and significant dropout rates in rural and underserved districts.
Access to Higher Education
Urban and Economically Stable States
Dense institutional networks, urban concentration, and sustained state funding.
Rural and Economically Underserved Regions
Dependence on underfunded government colleges and lack of access to private institutions.
Economic Barriers
Urban and Economically Stable States
Lower financial constraints due to better economic conditions.
Rural and Economically Underserved Regions
High financial constraints, with many low-income households unable to afford higher education.
- National Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)
- 30%
- Female GER
- 31.2%
- Male GER
- 28.9%
- Scheduled Caste (SC) GER
- 27.8%
- Scheduled Tribe (ST) GER
- 22.8%
- Top Performing Region
- Puducherry (72.3%)
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 Target
- 50% GER by 2035