Download AISHE 2017-18 to 2021-22 Enrolment Data, All India & State-specific

The Dynamics of Higher Education Enrolment in India: A Holistic Analysis based on AISHE 2021-22 Data (2024)

Introduction

 The landscape of higher education in India is marked by a dynamic and evolving enrolment pattern, reflecting the country’s commitment to educational advancement and inclusivity. Significant strides and transformative changes have marked India’s journey towards higher education expansion over the past five years.

The article presents a detailed analysis of the data, explores the efforts made by the government, examines the direction set by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and concludes with insights into the future of higher education in India. A comprehensive analysis of enrolment data from 2017-18 to 2021-22 sheds light on the trends, growth rates, gender dynamics of higher education participation in India, government initiatives, and the impact of technological advancements on the growth of higher education.

The Data

 AISHE: All India Survey on Higher Education collects data from all recognized institutions of higher education in India, including universities, colleges, and standalone institutions. The survey covers both public and private institutions, offering a comprehensive view of the higher education landscape in the country. The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education manages the AISHE.

Key data points collected by AISHE include:

• Enrollment: Information about the number of students enrolled in various programs and disciplines at different levels of higher education, such as undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral.
• Infrastructure: Data on the infrastructure facilities available in institutions, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and other amenities.
• Faculty: Details about the teaching staff, including their qualifications, experience, and specialization.
• Examination results: Statistics related to examination performance, such as pass rates, provide insights into students’ academic achievements.
• Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER): GER is a critical indicator of participation in higher education and is the ratio of the total enrollment in higher education to the eligible population in the relevant age group (18 to 23 years).

Overall, AISHE plays a crucial role in monitoring the progress of higher education in India, identifying areas for improvement, and facilitating evidence-based policymaking to enhance the quality and accessibility of education for all.

This present article is exclusively based on AISHE 2021-22 data and analyses the growth in higher education enrollment,  the Gross Enrolment Ratio, and the Gender Parity Index in India from 2017-18 to 2021-22.

Analysis of Data

The All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) data for the specified period highlights a consistent growth trajectory in higher education enrolment. Total enrolment figures have surged from 36.64 million in 2017-18 to 43.27 million in 2021-22, indicating an approximate 18 percent increase over five years. This growth is accompanied by gradually narrowing the gender gap, with female enrolment steadily rising and approaching parity with male enrolment. While fluctuations are observed year-on-year, the trend underscores the increasing demand for higher education opportunities nationwide.

Higher Education Enrolment in India: 2017-18 to 2021-22
Year	Grand Total
	Male	Female	Both
2021-22	22576389	20691792	43268181
2020-21	21237910	20142803	41380713
2019-20	19643747	18892612	38536359
2018-19	19209888	18189500	37399388
2017-18	19204675	17437703	36642378
Source: AISHE 2021-22

The enrolment of male students has been consistently higher than that of female students in each academic year. However, the gender gap seems to gradually narrow, indicating an encouraging trend towards gender parity in higher education. In 2021-22, the enrolment of students stood at 22.58 million, while that of female students was 20.69 million, resulting in a total enrolment of 43.27 million. This trend reflects the increasing participation of female students in higher education, signifying positive strides toward gender inclusivity and equal access to educational opportunities.

Some of the other salient features of AISHE 2021-22 data concerning enrolment in higher education are as follows:

• Overall, there was a moderate increase in enrolment compared to the previous year, with a 4.56 percent rise for both male and female students combined.
• Male enrolment saw a slightly higher increase of 6.30 percent compared to female enrolment, which increased by 2.73 percent; this suggests a continued trend of higher growth rates for male enrolment. The disparity in growth rates between male and female enrolment indicates the need for targeted interventions to promote female education and bridge the gender gap in higher education.

Higher Education Enrolment in India: % Increase over the previous year
	Grand Total
	Male	Female	Both
2021-22	6.30	2.73	4.56
2020-21	8.12	6.62	7.38
2019-20	2.26	3.87	3.04
2018-19	0.03	4.31	2.07

Source: AISHE 2021-22

• The higher percentage increase in 2020-21 is attributed to factors like the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted a shift towards online learning and increased demand for higher education.
• The comparatively lower growth rates in 2019-20 may be attributed to various factors such as economic conditions, educational infrastructure, and regional disparities.
• In 2021-22, there was a significant increase in enrolment compared to the baseline year (2017-18), with a percentage increase of 18.08 percent for both male and female students combined.

Higher Education Enrolment: % Increase over 2017-18

Year	% Increase over 2017-18
	Male	Female	Both
2021-22	17.56	18.66	18.08
2020-21	10.59	15.51	12.93
2019-20	2.29	8.34	5.17
2018-19	0.03	4.31	2.07
2017-18	–	–	–

             Source: AISHE 2021-22

• Male enrolment saw a substantial increase of 17.56%, while female enrolment witnessed an even higher increase of 18.66 percent; this indicates a positive trend towards gender inclusivity and equitable enrollment growth.
• The higher percentage increase in 2021-22 may be attributed to various factors such as government initiatives, increased accessibility, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted a shift towards online learning and increased demand for higher education.

 Share of Higher Education By Gender

The data provided presents the percentage share of higher education enrollment by gender for the years 2017-18 to 2021-22, which is also based on AISHE 2021-22, the main findings of which are presented below:

% share of Higher Education Enrolment by Gender
Year	Grand Total
	Male	Female	Total Enrolment
2021-22	52.18	47.82	43268181
2020-21	51.32	48.68	41380713
2019-20	50.97	49.03	38536359
2018-19	51.36	48.64	37399388
2017-18	52.41	47.59	36642378
Source: AISHE 2021-22

 Overall Trend: Over the years, there seems to be a slight fluctuation in the gender distribution of higher education enrollment, but the trend is relatively stable. The percentage of male enrollment has been consistently higher than female enrollment, but the gap has been narrowing gradually.

• Yearly Changes: There are minor fluctuations in the percentage shares of male and female enrollment yearly. For instance, in 2021-22, male enrollment increased slightly compared to the previous year, while female enrollment decreased somewhat.
• Longer-Term Perspective: The data from 2017-18 to 2021-22 shows a noticeable shift in the distribution. The percentage of male enrollment was higher in 2017-18 compared to 2021-22, indicating a gradual increase in female enrollment over the years.
• Factors Impacting Enrollment: Several factors could contribute to these trends, including changes in societal attitudes towards education for women, government policies promoting female education, and improvements in access to higher education for females in terms of scholarships, infrastructure, and awareness campaigns.
• Implications: While the narrowing gap between male and female enrollment is a positive sign of progress toward gender equality in education, it’s essential to continue monitoring and addressing any remaining disparities. Ensuring equal access to education for all genders is crucial for social and economic development.
• Limitations of the Data: The analysis could benefit from additional contextual information such as regional variations, socioeconomic factors influencing enrollment, and data on fields of study chosen by each gender. Without this context, it’s challenging to understand the dynamics driving the trends for state-specific enrolment at the higher education level in India.

Average Annual Growth Rate in Higher Education Enrolment

The data presented the growth in higher education enrollment in India from 2017-18 to 2021-22, broken down by gender. Here’s a critical analysis:

Growth in Higher Education Enrolment in India
	Enrolment
	Male	Female	Both
2021-22	1338479	548989	1887468
2020-21	1594163	1250191	2844354
2019-20	433859	703112	1136971
2018-19	5213	751797	757010
Average Annual Growth Rate: 2017-18 to 2021-22	4.13	4.37	4.24

Source: Calculated based on AISHE 2021-22.

The average annual growth rates provide insights into the pace of enrollment expansion. Across all categories (male, female, and both together), the growth rates are favorable, indicating a consistent increase in enrollment over the period. The slightly higher growth rates for females suggest that efforts to improve female education access and participation may be yielding results. During 2017-18 to 2021-22, higher education enrolment increased at an annual rate of growth of 4.24 percent per annum compared to 4.13 and 4.37 percent per annum, respectively, in the case of male and female enrolment.

Despite the overall growth, challenges remain, including improving access to higher education in underserved regions, addressing gender disparities, and ensuring quality education. The government has played a pivotal role in expanding higher education through various initiatives and policies. Moreover, the NEP 2020 is a roadmap for comprehensive educational reform, emphasizing inclusivity, flexibility, and innovation in higher education.

Recent Efforts Made by the Government

NEP 2020 Direction on Higher Education Enrolment

 The NEP 2020 outlines several key directions to transform higher education in India. It advocates for a holistic approach toward education, focusing on multidisciplinary learning, skill development, and research orientation. The policy encourages technology integration to enhance accessibility and improve learning outcomes. Moreover, NEP 2020 emphasizes the importance of flexibility in curriculum design, credit transfer mechanisms, and promoting lifelong learning to cater to diverse learner needs. NEP 2020 aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in a rapidly changing world by fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to increase higher education enrolment by 50 percent by 2035. This ambitious resolution underscores the concerted efforts to expand access to higher education, foster inclusive growth, and fortify India’s knowledge economy.

Concluding Observations

The analysis underscores the significant strides in higher education in India, with enrollment growth and narrowing gender gaps reflecting positive trends toward inclusivity and educational advancement. Government initiatives and policies like the NEP 2020 are pivotal in shaping the future of higher education, emphasizing inclusivity, innovation, and skill development to propel India towards a knowledge-driven economy. However, addressing challenges such as regional disparities and ensuring quality education for all remains imperative for sustained progress.

The analysis based on AISHE 2021-22 data illuminates the progressive trajectory of higher education enrollment in India from 2017-18 to 2021-22. With a consistent upward trend in total enrollment figures, reaching 43.27 million in 2021-22, the landscape of higher education reflects the nation’s commitment to inclusivity and educational advancement.

A noteworthy observation is the gradual narrowing of the gender gap in enrollment, signaling positive strides toward gender parity in higher education. While male enrollment has traditionally been higher, the steady increase in female enrollment suggests an encouraging trend toward equitable access to educational opportunities.

The government’s initiatives and the directives outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 are pivotal in driving this transformation. The NEP 2020 emphasizes inclusivity, flexibility, and innovation in higher education, aiming to increase enrollment by 50 percent by 2035.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 What is AISHE? AISHE stands for All India Survey on Higher Education, which collects comprehensive data on higher education institutions in India, including enrolment, infrastructure, faculty, and examination results.

1. How has higher education enrolment in India evolved from 2017-18 to 2021-22? Higher education enrolment in India has shown consistent growth, with total enrolment increasing from 36.64 million in 2017-18 to 43.27 million in 2021-22, accompanied by gradually narrowing the gender gap.
2. What factors contribute to the growth in higher education enrolment? Factors such as government initiatives, the COVID-19 pandemic prompting online learning, and increased accessibility have contributed to the growth in higher education enrolment in India.
3. What is the significance of NEP 2020 in shaping higher education in India? NEP 2020 outlines key directions for transforming higher education, emphasizing inclusivity, flexibility, and innovation and aiming to increase enrolment by 50 percent by 2035 to foster a knowledge-driven economy.
4. How does the analysis address gender dynamics in higher education enrolment? The study highlights the gradual narrowing of the gender gap in enrolment, with efforts to promote female education showing positive results, reflecting strides toward gender parity in higher education.

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