Bridging Educational Disparities in India: An Analysis of AISHE 2020-21 Data by Social Groups: SC, ST, & OBC

Introduction

Higher education significantly impacts a nation’s socio-economic progress by nurturing a skilled workforce and fostering innovation. As per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, India aspires to achieve a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of 50 percent by 2035. Realizing this goal hinges on addressing enrollment disparities, particularly among marginalized communities, such as the Scheduled Tribes,  Scheduled Castes, and other Backward Classes. Despite all achievements, the All India Higher Education Survey reveals that the Gross Enrolment Ratio is still low at 27.2 percent.

Throughout history, the SC, ST, and OBC communities have endured systemic discrimination and limited access to quality education, leading to lower enrollment rates; this perpetuates social and economic disparities. Acknowledging these inequities, NEP 2020 commits to rectify this situation and ensure equal access to higher education.

Significance of Inclusive Enrollment

Equity and Social Justice: In India’s diverse and democratic society, ensuring equal educational opportunities is crucial for social justice, inclusivity, and harmony.

Economic Prosperity: Augmenting enrollment among SC, ST, and OBC communities unlocks untapped talent, stimulating economic growth and innovation by diversifying the workforce.

Demographic Potential: India’s youth population represents a demographic dividend. Ensuring access to higher education for all segments of this demographic is vital for harnessing this potential on the global stage.

Human Capital Development: Higher education equips individuals with skills and knowledge, boosting human capital development and contributing towards a more educated and skilled workforce.

Reduction of Inequality: Education is a potent tool for reducing social and economic disparities. Encouraging enrollment among SC, ST, and OBC communities bridges income and employment gaps, fostering a more equitable society.

Government Initiatives

The Indian government has instituted various measures to address these disparities, including reservation policies in educational institutions, scholarship programs, financial aid, and awareness campaigns to motivate marginalized students to pursue higher education. Despite these initiatives, obstacles persist, such as inadequate access to quality education in remote areas, lack of awareness, and socio-economic barriers. To meet the 2035 GER target of 50 percent, collaboration among the government, educational institutions, and civil society is imperative; this may entail infrastructure enhancement, expanded scholarship programs, and improved career counseling to encourage more students from SC, ST, and OBC backgrounds to pursue higher education.

The Present Article

The present article is exclusively based on the data provided by the Ministry of Education through the All India Survey on Higher Education, which is the latest available for the year 2020-21. Even though the year 2023 is about to be over, there is a time lag in educational statistics is still available for the year 2020-21 in the case of higher education and for the year 2021-22 in the case of school education, all which indicate that concerted efforts are required to bridge the time lag in educational statistics. Not only the total enrolment at the higher education level is available, but its distribution by social groups such as by the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Class is available by gender. The analysis is undertaken both at the all-India and state level by gender. Provisional conclusions, areas of concern, the government’s recent initiatives and follow-up actions, as well as India’s resolution to attain a Gross Enrolment Ratio of 50 percent by 2035, envisaged in NEP 2020, have also been looked into.

Estimated Enrolment  Distributed by   Social Groups: AISHE 2020-21
State/UT All Categories Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribes Other Backward Class
Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
1    A & N Islands 5534 6431 11965 32 15 47 186 276 462 1581 1888 3469
2      Andhra Pradesh 1056065 931553 1987618 171844 160275 332119 48475 44369 92844 463929 386063 849992
3      Arunachal Pradesh 31465 28270 59735 670 407 1077 20576 21101 41677 1222 845 2067
4      Assam 341985 355108 697093 27177 26775 53952 59272 63715 122987 84052 91542 175594
5      Bihar 1309402 1051539 2360941 152405 105205 257610 20577 15421 35998 547653 446029 993682
6      Chandigarh 54809 55656 110465 9293 7542 16835 1055 968 2023 5261 3541 8802
7      Chhattisgarh 302840 350565 653405 41449 44456 85905 57790 81319 139109 133754 151173 284927
8      Delhi 564849 541422 1106271 58208 51061 109269 10597 8934 19531 90936 65976 156912
9      Goa 29404 30881 60285 899 674 1573 2088 2756 4844 5615 6104 11719
10     Gujarat 938144 714986 1653130 84815 65967 150782 89913 87551 177464 294584 207275 501859
11     Haryana 517813 511346 1029159 78157 76128 154285 2799 1776 4575 116069 109671 225740
12     Himachal Pradesh 133196 156389 289585 25382 30990 56372 7967 9353 17320 16132 21501 37633
13     Jammu and Kashmir 193476 205378 398854 10549 11892 22441 13607 11126 24733 14281 12033 26314
14     Jharkhand 393349 393338 786687 38118 33279 71397 66777 80751 147528 154440 149715 304155
15     Karnataka 1223601 1216836 2440437 157702 154146 311848 58644 56327 114971 565089 573864 1138953
16     Kerala 559625 804911 1364536 34488 62108 96596 5702 8712 14414 270266 426085 696351
17     Ladakh 1108 2039 3147 0 16 16 902 1937 2839 35 24 59
18     Lakshadweep 133 427 560 0 0 0 70 256 326 0 0 0
19     Madhya Pradesh 1374036 1224525 2598561 210178 184840 395018 140698 153701 294399 528269 512294 1040563
20     Maharashtra 2491897 2054252 4546149 290289 255618 545907 111489 86643 198132 723073 583566 1306639
21     Manipur 68916 69583 138499 5110 4229 9339 18790 18859 37649 18578 22308 40886
22     Meghalaya 43104 54480 97584 2114 1697 3811 30260 41669 71929 1120 1158 2278
23     Mizoram 19201 19509 38710 200 111 311 17963 18673 36636 379 244 623
24     Nagaland 21750 25204 46954 279 265 544 18340 21869 40209 517 472 989
25     Odisha 525883 481139 1007022 93024 77606 170630 72697 69019 141716 100218 99879 200097
26     Puducherry 43187 48066 91253 5684 6319 12003 463 440 903 27277 31222 58499
27     Punjab 418244 415091 833335 83203 102784 185987 2946 1975 4921 53023 54386 107409
28     Rajasthan 1278304 1154486 2432790 209453 180795 390248 138517 139281 277798 494833 466248 961081
29     Sikkim 16707 18067 34774 858 774 1632 4209 5899 10108 3759 5060 8819
30     Tamil Nadu 1662153 1674286 3336439 275101 297976 573077 17434 15418 32852 963357 972604 1935961
31     Telangana 775309 798477 1573786 107016 124337 231353 63453 59454 122907 328401 335695 664096
32     D & N & D & D 5948 5622 11570 231 251 482 816 1056 1872 832 1035 1867
33     Tripura 48428 44232 92660 7955 7047 15002 10610 10115 20725 8261 7359 15620
34     Uttar Pradesh 3397012 3254055 6651067 575597 580871 1156468 29258 32098 61356 1289890 1317920 2607810
35     Uttarakhand 304850 315301 620151 42740 48262 91002 10219 10944 21163 53371 48798 102169
36     West Bengal 1086183 1129353 2215536 193301 196461 389762 35878 37271 73149 173809 174094 347903
All India 21237910 20142803 41380713 2993521 2901179 5894700 1191037 1221032 2412069 7533866 7287671 14821537
Source: AISHE 2020-21, Ministry of Education, Government of India.

AISHE 2020-21 Data by Social Groups: All India

The AISHE data represents the estimated enrollment of students in different social groups across various States and Union Territories in India for the year 2020-21. The enrollment is categorized by social groups: Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other Backward Classes.

Here is a breakdown of the data at the all-India level for the year 2020-21 which may be analyse in relation to share in 2011 Total Population: SC, 16.6 percent and ST, 8.6 percent.

All-India Total Enrollment

  • Male: 21,237,910
  • Female: 20,142,803
  • Total: 41,380,713

Enrollment by Social Groups

  • Scheduled Castes:
  • Male: 14.10 percent
  • Female: 13.66 percent
  • Total: 14.25 percent

Scheduled Tribes

  • Male: 5.61 percent
  • Female: 6.06 percent
  • Total: 5.83 percent

Other Backward Class

  • Male: 35.47 percent
  • Female: 36.18 percent
  • Total: 35.82 percent

State-specific Analysis and Implications

A & N Islands: Total enrollment stands at 11,965, with the highest representation from Other Backward Classes (OBC) at 28.99 percent, followed by Scheduled Castes (SC) at 3.86 percent and Scheduled Tribes (ST) at 0.04 percent.

Andhra Pradesh: Total enrollment reaches 1,987,618, with OBCs having the highest representation at 42.76 percent, followed by SC at 16.71 percent and ST at 4.67 percent.

Arunachal Pradesh: The total enrollment is 59,735, with the highest representation from ST at 69.77 percent followed by and SC at 21.80 percent AND OBCs at 3.46 percent, .

Assam: The state records a total enrollment of 697,093, with OBCs having the highest representation at 43.61 percent, followed by ST at 17.64 percent and  SC at 7.74 percent.

Chandigarh: Total enrollment is 110,465, with SC having the highest representation at 30.72 percent, followed by OBC at 15.24 percent and ST at 0.02 percent.

Chhattisgarh: With a total enrollment of 653,405, OBCs have the highest representation at 43.61 percent, followed by ST at 21.29 percent and SC at 13.15 percent.

Rajasthan: In 2020-21, total enrollment in higher education was 2,432,790. Male students constituted 1,278,304, while female students constituted 1,154,486. SCs made up 16.04 percent of the total enrollment, STs 11.42 percent, and OBCs 39.51 percent. Achieving a 50 percent GER by 2035 requires addressing gender and social disparities.

Kerala: With a total enrollment of 1,364,536, SC students accounted for 7.08 percent, ST students 1.06 percent, and OBC students 51.03 percent. Kerala’s relatively high enrollment rate and higher proportion of female students indicate better access to education. However, targeted efforts are still needed to enhance inclusivity.

Uttar Pradesh: Total enrollment was 6,651,067, with SC students constituting 17.39 percent, ST students 0.92 percent, and OBC students 39.21 percent. To achieve a 50 percent GER by 2035, Uttar Pradesh must increase enrollment rates and address gender and social disparities.

Bihar: Bihar had a total enrollment of 2,360,941, with SC students accounting for 11.64 percent, ST students 1.52 percent, and OBC students 42.09 percent. Achieving a 50 percent GER by 2035 requires addressing gender imbalances and promoting inclusivity.

West Bengal: West Bengal recorded a total enrollment of 2,215,536, with SC students constituting 17.59 percent, ST students 3.30 percent, and OBC students 15.70 percent. To achieve a 50 percent GER by 2035, the state must improve enrollment rates, especially among marginalized communities.

Maharashtra: Maharashtra had a total enrollment of 4,546,149, with SC students accounting for 12.01 percent, ST students 4.36 percent, and OBC students 28.74 percent. Sustained efforts are required to provide equal opportunities and address disparities to achieve a 50 percent GER by 2035.

Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu witnessed a total enrollment of 3,336,439, with SC students constituting 17.18 percent, ST students 0.98 percent, and OBC students 58.02 percent. To achieve a 50 percent GER by 2035, efforts should focus on inclusivity and access for all social groups.

Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh had a total enrollment of 2,598,561, with SC students accounting for 15.20 percent, ST students 11.33 percent, and OBC students 44.57 percent. Targeted actions are needed to address disparities and ensure equitable access to higher education.

Percentage of Higher Education  Enrolment  Distributed by  Social Groups: AISHE 2020-21
State/UT All Categories Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes Other Backward Class
Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
1    A & N Islands 5534 6431 11965 0.58 0.27 0.39 3.36 4.29 3.86 28.57 29.36 28.99
2      Andhra Pradesh 1056065 931553 1987618 16.27 15.18 16.71 4.59 4.76 4.67 43.93 41.44 42.76
3      Arunachal Pradesh 31465 28270 59735 2.13 1.29 1.80 65.39 74.64 69.77 3.88 2.99 3.46
4      Assam 341985 355108 697093 7.95 7.83 7.74 17.33 17.94 17.64 24.58 25.78 25.19
5      Bihar 1309402 1051539 2360941 11.64 8.03 10.91 1.57 1.47 1.52 41.82 42.42 42.09
6      Chandigarh 54809 55656 110465 16.96 13.76 15.24 1.92 1.74 1.83 9.60 6.36 7.97
7      Chhattisgarh 302840 350565 653405 13.69 14.68 13.15 19.08 23.20 21.29 44.17 43.12 43.61
8      Delhi 564849 541422 1106271 10.31 9.04 9.88 1.88 1.65 1.77 16.10 12.19 14.18
9      Goa 29404 30881 60285 3.06 2.29 2.61 7.10 8.92 8.04 19.10 19.77 19.44
10     Gujarat 938144 714986 1653130 9.04 7.03 9.12 9.58 12.25 10.74 31.40 28.99 30.36
11     Haryana 517813 511346 1029159 15.09 14.70 14.99 0.54 0.35 0.44 22.42 21.45 21.93
12     Himachal Pradesh 133196 156389 289585 19.06 23.27 19.47 5.98 5.98 5.98 12.11 13.75 13.00
13     Jammu and Kashmir 193476 205378 398854 5.45 6.15 5.63 7.03 5.42 6.20 7.38 5.86 6.60
14     Jharkhand 393349 393338 786687 9.69 8.46 9.08 16.98 20.53 18.75 39.26 38.06 38.66
15     Karnataka 1223601 1216836 2440437 12.89 12.60 12.78 4.79 4.63 4.71 46.18 47.16 46.67
16     Kerala 559625 804911 1364536 6.16 11.10 7.08 1.02 1.08 1.06 48.29 52.94 51.03
17     Ladakh 1108 2039 3147 0.00 1.44 0.51 81.41 95.00 90.21 3.16 1.18 1.87
18     Lakshadweep 133 427 560 0.00 0.00 0.00 52.63 59.95 58.21 0.00 0.00 0.00
19     Madhya Pradesh 1374036 1224525 2598561 15.30 13.45 15.20 10.24 12.55 11.33 38.45 41.84 40.04
20     Maharashtra 2491897 2054252 4546149 11.65 10.26 12.01 4.47 4.22 4.36 29.02 28.41 28.74
21     Manipur 68916 69583 138499 7.41 6.14 6.74 27.27 27.10 27.18 26.96 32.06 29.52
22     Meghalaya 43104 54480 97584 4.90 3.94 3.91 70.20 76.48 73.71 2.60 2.13 2.33
23     Mizoram 19201 19509 38710 1.04 0.58 0.80 93.55 95.71 94.64 1.97 1.25 1.61
24     Nagaland 21750 25204 46954 1.28 1.22 1.16 84.32 86.77 85.63 2.38 1.87 2.11
25     Odisha 525883 481139 1007022 17.69 14.76 16.94 13.82 14.34 14.07 19.06 20.76 19.87
26     Puducherry 43187 48066 91253 13.16 14.63 13.15 1.07 0.92 0.99 63.16 64.96 64.11
27     Punjab 418244 415091 833335 19.89 24.58 22.32 0.70 0.48 0.59 12.68 13.10 12.89
28     Rajasthan 1278304 1154486 2432790 16.39 14.14 16.04 10.84 12.06 11.42 38.71 40.39 39.51
29     Sikkim 16707 18067 34774 5.14 4.63 4.69 25.19 32.65 29.07 22.50 28.01 25.36
30     Tamil Nadu 1662153 1674286 3336439 16.55 17.93 17.18 1.05 0.92 0.98 57.96 58.09 58.02
31     Telangana 775309 798477 1573786 13.80 16.04 14.70 8.18 7.45 7.81 42.36 42.04 42.20
32     D & N & D & D 5948 5622 11570 3.88 4.22 4.17 13.72 18.78 16.18 13.99 18.41 16.14
33     Tripura 48428 44232 92660 16.43 14.55 16.19 21.91 22.87 22.37 17.06 16.64 16.86
34     Uttar Pradesh 3397012 3254055 6651067 16.94 17.10 17.39 0.86 0.99 0.92 37.97 40.50 39.21
35     Uttarakhand 304850 315301 620151 14.02 15.83 14.67 3.35 3.47 3.41 17.51 15.48 16.47
36     West Bengal 1086183 1129353 2215536 17.80 18.09 17.59 3.30 3.30 3.30 16.00 15.42 15.70
All India 21237910 20142803 41380713 14.10 13.66 14.25 5.61 6.06 5.83 35.47 36.18 35.82
Source: AISHE 2020-21, Ministry of Education, Government of India.

The state-wise analysis of enrollment data offers insights into the representation of different social groups in higher education across India. It underscores the unique educational landscape and challenges in various regions, forming the basis for tailored policies to enhance access and inclusivity for underrepresented social groups nationwide with regard to the following:

Disparities in Enrollment: Addressing these disparities is crucial in order to provide equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their social background.

Gender Disparities: Bridging the gender gap in higher education should be a priority to ensure gender equity.

Targeted Interventions: Scholarships, mentorship programs, and awareness campaigns can improve access for underrepresented groups.

Infrastructure Development: Expanding quality infrastructure, especially in remote areas, enhances access to higher education.

Policy Reforms: Equitable representation and affirmative action policies should be in place.

Community Engagement: Collaborating with local communities identifies specific challenges and solutions.

Data Monitoring and Evaluation: Data-driven decision-making measures progress and identifies areas for improvement.

Special Focus on Scheduled Tribes: Ensuring equitable access for this group is essential.

 Follow-up Actions

  • Promote higher education awareness among marginalized communities.
  • Provide targeted financial aid and scholarships.
  • Establish mentorship programs.
  • Collaborate with NGOs and community organizations.
  • Enhance infrastructure in rural areas.
  • Review and update reservation policies.
  • Monitor the impact of interventions for ongoing improvements.

Implementing these measures and continuously monitoring progress will contribute to a more inclusive higher education system in India, ensuring fair and equitable access for all.

Concluding Thoughts

Based on the analysis of the AISHE 2020-21 data, it is evident that there are significant disparities in higher education enrollment in India. The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) stands at 27.2 percent, which is considerably lower than the target of 50 percent set by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Marginalized communities face systemic discrimination and limited access to quality education, resulting in lower enrollment rates.

Inclusive enrollment is of great significance for several reasons. Firstly, it promotes equity, social justice, and inclusivity in India’s diverse society. Secondly, it contributes to economic prosperity by unlocking untapped talent and diversifying the workforce, leading to innovation and growth. Thirdly, it harnesses the demographic potential of India’s youth population, which is crucial for global competitiveness. Higher education, in general, and in particular in India, also plays a key role in human capital development, equipping individuals with skills and knowledge for a more educated and skilled workforce. Lastly, inclusive enrollment reduces inequality by bridging income and employment gaps, fostering a more equitable society.

The Government of India has implemented various initiatives, including reservation policies, scholarships, financial aid, and awareness campaigns, to address enrollment disparities. However, challenges persist, such as inadequate access to quality education in remote areas, lack of awareness, and socio-economic barriers. Achieving the goal of 50 percent GER by 2035 requires collaboration among the government, educational institutions, and civil society. This may involve infrastructure enhancement, expanded scholarship programs, and improved career counseling to encourage more students from SC, ST, and OBC backgrounds to pursue higher education.

The state-wise analysis of enrollment data highlights the representation of different social groups in higher education across India. It underscores the need for tailored policies to enhance access and inclusivity. Addressing disparities in enrollment, bridging the gender gap, targeted interventions through scholarships and mentorship programs, infrastructure development, policy reforms, community engagement, and data monitoring and evaluation are essential factors in promoting fair and equitable access to higher education.

We may conclude by saying that it is crucial to promote higher education awareness among marginalized communities, provide targeted financial aid and scholarships, establish mentorship programs, collaborate with NGOs and community organizations, enhance infrastructure in rural areas, review and update reservation policies, and continually monitor the impact of interventions for ongoing improvements. By implementing these measures and keeping track of progress, India can create a more inclusive higher education system and ensure fair and equitable access for all.

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the significance of inclusive enrollment in higher education in India?

Answer: Inclusive enrollment is crucial for social justice, economic prosperity, harnessing demographic potential, human capital development, and reducing inequality in Indian society. It ensures that all segments of the population, including marginalized communities, have access to higher education, contributing to the nation’s progress.

Q2: What is the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER), and why is it important in the context of NEP 2020?

Answer: The GER is the ratio of students enrolled in higher education to the eligible age group. In the context of NEP 2020, India aims to achieve a GER of 50 percent by 2035. This goal is significant as it reflects the commitment to provide equal educational opportunities to all and promote socio-economic development.

Q3: What government initiatives have been taken to address educational disparities in India?

Answer: The government has implemented measures such as reservation policies, scholarship programs, financial aid, and awareness campaigns to encourage marginalized students to pursue higher education. These initiatives aim to bridge enrollment gaps and promote inclusivity.

Q4: What does the AISHE 2020-21 data reveal about enrollment by social groups in India?

Answer: The data shows disparities in enrollment among social groups, with the Other Backward Classes (OBC) having the highest representation, while Scheduled Tribes (ST) have the lowest representation. It highlights the need to address these disparities for a more equitable education system.

Q5: How do gender disparities manifest in higher education based on the AISHE data?

Answer: Gender disparities are evident, with variations in male and female enrollment across different states and social groups. Bridging the gender gap is essential to achieve gender equity and ensure equal opportunities for all.

Q6: What are the key state-specific challenges revealed by the analysis of AISHE data?

Answer: The state-wise analysis highlights unique challenges and opportunities in different regions, including disparities in enrollment, infrastructure issues, and the need for tailored policies to enhance access and inclusivity.

Q7: What are the follow-up actions recommended to address educational disparities in India?

Answer: The recommended actions include promoting higher education awareness, providing targeted financial aid and scholarships, establishing mentorship programs, collaborating with NGOs and community organizations, enhancing infrastructure in rural areas, reviewing reservation policies, and continuous monitoring and evaluation to drive ongoing improvements.

Q8: Why is it essential to focus on ensuring equitable access for Scheduled Tribes (ST) in higher education?

Answer: Focusing on equitable access for ST is crucial because this group has the lowest representation in higher education. Addressing disparities and providing opportunities for ST students is essential for achieving a more inclusive and fair education system in India.

 Education for All in India