Higher Education Enrolment Increased By 19 Lakh In 2021-22 From Previous Session: AISHE Report

The total enrolment in higher education has increased to almost 4.33 crore in 2021-22 from 4.14 crore in 2020-21.

About 78.9% of the total students are enrolled in undergraduate level courses. ( Image Source :Getty )

New Delhi: The Ministry of Education released the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22 on Thursday. As per the AISHE report, total enrollment in higher education rose to nearly 4.33 crore in 2021-22 from 4.14 crore in the previous session. In the science stream, female enrollments surpassed male enrollments. The survey highlighted an overall increase in female enrollment to 2.07 crore in 2021-22 from 2.01 crore in 2020-21.

One of the most significant findings is the increase in total enrollment in higher education, which rose to nearly 4.33 crore in 2021-22 from 4.14 crore in the previous academic session. Female enrollment, in particular, saw a substantial rise, reaching 2.07 crore in 2021-22 from 2.01 crore in 2020-21. This surge represents a remarkable increase of around 50 lakh female enrollments since 2014-15, marking a 32% rise.

The report also highlights the enrollment trends among students from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) backgrounds. The enrollment of SC students increased to 66.23 lakh in 2021-22 from 46.07 lakh in 2014-15, indicating a significant 44% growth. Similarly, ST student enrollment surged to 27.1 lakh in 2021-22 from 16.41 lakh in 2014-15, reflecting a notable increase of 65.2%.

Among female students, the enrollment figures are equally promising. The enrollment of SC female students rose to 31.71 lakh in 2021-22 from 29.01 lakh in 2020-21 and 21.02 lakh in 2014-15, showcasing an impressive 51% increase since 2014-15. Moreover, the enrollment of ST female students surged to 13.46 lakh in 2021-22 from 12.21 lakh in 2020-21 and 7.47 lakh in 2014-15, indicating a remarkable 80% rise since 2014-15.

The data also sheds light on the enrollment trends among Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Minority students. OBC student enrollment increased to 1.63 crore in 2021-22 from 1.13 crore in 2014-15, marking a notable 45% rise. Likewise, Minority student enrollment saw a significant uptick, reaching 30.1 lakh in 2021-22 from 21.8 lakh in 2014-15, indicating a 38% increase. Female Minority student enrollment also experienced a considerable surge, reaching 15.2 lakh in 2021-22 from 10.7 lakh in 2014-15, representing a 42.3% increase.

In terms of regional enrollment, the North East States witnessed a rise in total enrollment to 12.02 lakh in 2021-22 from 9.36 lakh in 2014-15. Interestingly, female enrollment in the Northeast States surpassed male enrollment, reflecting a positive trend in gender parity.

Overall, the AISHE data underscores the significant strides made in higher education enrollment across various demographic groups and disciplines, reflecting India's commitment to expanding access to quality education for all.