India’s higher education sector continues to witness steady expansion, with enrolment, access, and participation across social groups showing sustained growth over the past decade.
The latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2022-23 and 2023-24, released by the Union Ministry of Education on July 8, 2026, offers a comprehensive picture of the country’s higher education landscape and highlights significant progress in access, gender inclusion, and STEM education.
Conducted through a web-based Data Capture Format (DCF), AISHE collects data from higher education institutions (HEIs) on student enrolment, faculty, infrastructure, examination outcomes, and other key parameters. The survey also forms the basis for calculating indicators such as the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), Gender Parity Index (GPI), Institution Density, and Pupil-Teacher Ratio, making it a critical tool for education planning and policy.
Steady Growth in Higher Education Enrolment
The report shows that enrolment in higher education has been steadily increasing, with an estimated 4.5 crore students enrolled in 2023-24, compared to 3.42 crore in 2014-15, reflecting a 31.5% increase over the decade. The rise from 4.46 crore in 2022-23 to 4.50 crore in 2023-24 indicates that the sector continues to expand; however, at a slower pace than in earlier years.
Six states account for more than half of the country’s higher education enrolment. Uttar Pradesh leads with 72.7 lakh students, followed by Maharashtra (46.5 lakh), Tamil Nadu (35.8 lakh), Madhya Pradesh (27.7 lakh), Karnataka (27.6 lakh) and Bihar (27.6 lakh). Together, these states contribute 52.9% of total enrolment, underlining the concentration of higher education demand in a handful of large states.
Colleges Continue to Grow, Led by Uttar Pradesh
Institutional expansion has accompanied rising enrolment. Uttar Pradesh now has the highest number of colleges in the country at 8,625, followed by Maharashtra (5,380), Karnataka (4,529), Rajasthan (4,344) and Tamil Nadu (2,983).
While a larger number of institutions improves geographical access, it also raises important questions about faculty availability, infrastructure, and learning outcomes. The report serves as a reminder that expanding the number of colleges must go hand in hand with improving educational quality.
Women and Marginalised Communities See Higher Participation
One of the strongest trends highlighted in the survey is the growing participation of women in higher education. Female enrolment has increased from 1.57 crore in 2014-15 to 2.24 crore in 2023-24, adding nearly 67 lakh women students over the decade.
Interestingly, female enrolment now exceeds male enrolment in states such as Bihar, West Bengal, Telangana, Kerala, Haryana, Punjab, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Assam and Uttarakhand, indicating changing social attitudes and improved educational access for women.
The survey also reflects greater inclusion of historically underrepresented communities. Enrolment of Scheduled Caste students has risen by 51.4% since 2014-15 to 69.72 lakh, while Scheduled Tribe enrolment has grown even faster by 75.7% to 28.83 lakh. Enrolment among Other Backward Classes has increased by 60.2%, reaching 1.80 crore in 2023-24. These figures suggest that affirmative policies and expanding educational opportunities are gradually broadening access.
STEM Education Gains Momentum
The growing focus on science and technology education is another notable finding. STEM enrolment has crossed 1.02 crore students, up from 91.5 lakh in 2014-15. Equally significant is the rising participation of women in these disciplines.
Female students now account for 44% of STEM enrolment, compared to 38.4% a decade ago. While parity has not yet been achieved, the steady rise points to increasing acceptance of women pursuing careers in science, engineering and technology.
Gross Enrolment Ratio Reaches a New High
The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), which measures participation in higher education among the 18-23 age group, has reached 30 in 2023-24, up from 23.7 in 2014-15. Female GER has grown even faster, increasing from 22.9 to 31.2 over the same period, surpassing the overall GER.
The improvement reflects both expanding institutional capacity and greater willingness among families to invest in higher education, particularly for women.
The Road Ahead
The latest AISHE findings present an encouraging picture of India’s higher education sector, marked by rising enrolment, greater gender inclusion, and improved access for disadvantaged communities. However, the next phase of reforms must focus on quality alongside quantity.
As enrolment continues to rise and institutions expand, ensuring qualified faculty, employable graduates, and better academic standards will determine whether India’s higher education system can truly meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. The challenge is no longer merely getting more students into colleges but ensuring they receive an education that prepares them for the future.
