Share of Muslim Enrolment in India by Gender to Total Enrolment by Gender

An Analysis Based on UDISE 2012-13 to 2021-22 Data

Based UDISEPlus data, we analyze the share of Muslim enrolment by gender at the primary, upper primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels to the total school enJrolment presented in Table 11.

Share of Muslim Enrolment to Total Muslim (Grades I to XII) Enrolment

The data presented in Table 11 reveals that the share of Muslim enrolment at the primary, upper primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels to the total Muslim enrolment (Grades I to XII) from 2012-13 to 2021-22 indicates some significant trends.

The primary level consistently has the highest share, accounting for more than 50 percent of total enrolment throughout the analyzed period. However, it is essential to note that the primary level’s share has declined over the years, reaching its highest at 60.64 percent in 2012-13 and its lowest at 52.02 percent in 2021-22. The second-highest share is observed at the upper primary level, which has remained higher than other levels throughout the period. In 2021-22, the upper primary level’s share stood at 26.31 percent.

In contrast, the shares of secondary education (Grades IX to X) and higher secondary education (Grades XI to XII) are much lower, at 13.27 percent and 8.40 percent, respectively; this suggests that not all students who enter the system progress to higher levels of education, indicating potential inefficiencies within the education system. Furthermore, the declining trend in the share of enrolment as we move from primary to higher levels of education also indicates inefficiencies in retention and transition within the education system.

The data highlights that many Muslim students are enrolled at the primary level. However, there are challenges in retaining and transitioning them to higher levels of education. These trends underscore the need to improve the efficiency and inclusivity of the education system, ensuring that all students, including Muslim students, have equal opportunities to access and progress in education at all levels. Efforts should be made to address the barriers that hinder students’ continuation and ensure equitable access to quality education, promoting a more inclusive and effective education system in India.

Table 11: Percent Share of Muslim Enrolment at Different Levels of Education: 2012-13 to 2021-22

Year	Primary	Upper Primary	Secondary	Hr Secondary	Total
2021-22	52.02	26.31	13.27	8.40	100.00
2020-21	52.70	25.93	13.58	7.78	100.00
2019-20	53.49	25.70	13.48	7.33	100.00
2018-19	53.85	25.70	13.51	6.93	100.00
2017-18	54.30	25.91	13.05	6.74	100.00
2016-17	55.71	25.80	12.61	5.88	100.00
2015-16	56.21	25.69	12.09	6.01	100.00
2014-15	56.81	25.64	11.62	5.93	100.00
2013-14	57.82	25.35	11.21	5.62	100.00
2012-13	60.64	24.92	9.93	4.51	100.00

Source: Computed based on UDISE data, different years.

 Share of Girls Enrolment (%) at Different Levels of Education

Further, we have also examined the share of Muslim girls’ enrolment at different levels of education to total Muslim girls’ enrolment. The same is presented in Table 12, which reveals that in the latest year 2021-22, more than half (50.96 percent) of the total Muslim girls have enrolled alone in the primary classes, followed by 26.58 percent in upper primary, 13.60 percent in secondary and only 8.86 percent in the higher secondary classes. Incidentally, in 2012-13, the share of girls’ enrolment in primary classes was almost 60 percent, but it slid each year.

 

Share of Muslim Girls Enrolment Table 12 shows the percent share of girl’s enrolment to total enrolment in different levels of education in India from 2012-13 to 2021-22. At the primary level, the share of girl’s enrolment to total enrolment has decreased from 60.64 percent in 2012-13 to 52.02 percent in 2021-22. Similarly, at the upper primary level, it has decreased from 24.92 percent in 2012-13 to 26.31 percent in 2021-22. On the other hand, the share of girl’s enrolment to total enrolment at the secondary level has increased from 9.93 percent in 2012-13 to 13.27 percent in 2021-22, and at the higher secondary level, it has increased from 4.51 percent in 2012-13 to 8.40 percent in 2021-22. Overall, the trend in girl’s enrolment to total enrolment suggests that while there has been a decline in the share of girl’s enrolment at the primary and upper primary levels, there has been an increase at the secondary and higher secondary levels. However, it is important to note that there is still a significant gender gap in enrolment at all levels, especially at the primary and upper primary levels. This highlights the need for policies and interventions to address this issue and promote gender parity in education.

In 2021-22, out of 100 Muslim girls enrolled, 51 were in primary classes, 27 in upper primary, 14 in secondary, and only 9 out of every 100 girls enrolled in higher secondary grades. As we move from primary to higher secondary, the percentage of girls enrolled declines, with the higher secondary level having the lowest enrolment at just 8.40 percent. This trend suggests that.

 Table 12: Share of Girls Enrolment (%) at Different Levels of Education to Total Girls Enrolment (Grades I to XII)

Year	Primary	Upper Primary	Secondary	Higher Secondary	Total Enrolment
2021-22	50.96	26.58	13.60	8.86	18182348
2020-21	51.53	26.28	14.06	8.13	18069375
2019-20	52.24	26.11	13.96	7.69	17511544
2018-19	52.65	26.15	13.98	7.23	16307369
2017-18	53.10	26.44	13.46	7.01	16564237
2016-17	54.43	26.41	13.06	6.09	16699777
2015-16	54.96	26.30	12.56	6.18	16628183
2014-15	55.61	26.36	12.01	6.02	16536905
2013-14	56.82	26.06	11.48	5.65	16416733
2012-13	59.73	25.67	10.13	4.48	15772304

Source: Computed based on UDISE data, different years.

many girls who enter the education system do not complete each level and transition to the next level, indicating inefficiency. A similar trend is also observed in the case of Muslim boys’ enrolment, which highlights the need to address the factors that lead to dropouts and lack of continuity in education for both boys and girls at different levels. Promoting retention and completion of each educational level is crucial to ensure a more efficient and inclusive education system. Next, we look at the Muslim enrolment by gender, presented in Tables 11 & 12.

Muslim Gross Enrolment Ratio at School Education in India (2021-22)

State-wise Muslim Gross Enrolment Ratio at School Education in India (2021-22)

Muslims Gross Enrolment Ratio at Higher Education Level (2020-21)

Muslim Gender Parity Index at Higher Education Level in India, 2016-17 to 2020-21

Average Annual Growth Rate: Muslim Enrolment in Higher Education

Share of Muslim Enrolment in Higher Education in India: 2016-17 to 2020-21

Share of Girls in Muslim Enrolment at School Level & Gender Parity Inde (GPI)

Number of Muslim Children Dropped-out between 2020-21 & 2021-22 in India

Muslim Students Transition Rate in India: Cohort 2018-19 to 2020-21

Muslim Students Retention Rate at Primary, Elementary & Secondary Levels, Cohort 2020-21