Why is it in the News?

In the last eight years, more women have enrolled in higher education compared to men, according to the 2021-22 All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) released recently.

Major Highlights of the AISHE Report 2021-22:

• The All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) for 2021–2022 has recently been released, and it highlights a notable change in enrolment trends.
• Women have enrolled in higher education at a higher rate than men during the last eight years, which is a significant step toward gender parity in academic fields.

Women Lead the Surge:

• According to the AISHE report, women now constitute 55 percent of the total increase in higher education enrollment, accounting for a staggering 91 lakh individuals since the academic year 2014-15.
• The latest statistics indicate that out of the overall enrollment of 4.33 crore, 48 percent, or 2.07 crore, are women—a marginal uptick from the 2.01 crore recorded in the previous academic year.
• The trend, characterized by a continuous surge in female enrollment since 2014-15, is particularly noteworthy.
• The report highlights an 18.7 percent increase in the enrollment of women from 2017-18 to 2021-22, showcasing a consistent upward trajectory.

Narrowing the Gender Gap:

• The gender gap in higher education is steadily narrowing, with the science stream standing out as a domain where women are making significant strides.
• Notably, 52.1 percent of the 57.18 lakh students enrolled in science at the undergraduate, postgraduate, MPhil, and PhD levels are women.
• The undergraduate level alone witnesses 51 percent of women in the science stream.
  • However, disparities persist in certain disciplines, such as engineering and technology, where female enrollment lags significantly behind.
  • The AISHE survey reveals that of the total students in undergraduate engineering programs, only 11.3 lakh are females, while 27.6 lakh are males.
• In addition to undergraduate programs, the report sheds light on postgraduate and PhD levels, showcasing a remarkable 61.2 percent of women in postgraduate science programs and a significant 62 percent representation in PhD programs in the sciences.
• State-wise Enrolment: The top 6 states in terms of student enrollment are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Rajasthan, constituting 53.3% of total enrollment.

• Number of Foreign Students: There are 46,878 foreign students enrolled in higher education, with the highest share from Nepal (28%).
• Teaching Staff in Higher Education: The total number of faculty/teachers in 2021-22 is 15.98 lakh, with about 56.6% male and 43.4% female, showing an increase of 46,618 teachers over 2020-21.

• This emerging trend is not only indicative of changing societal dynamics but also underlines the need for continued efforts to foster inclusivity and equal opportunities within the realm of higher education.
• The report serves as a testament to the progress made while emphasizing the areas that still require attention and intervention.

About the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) Report:

• The All India Survey on Higher Education serves as the primary source of comprehensive data regarding the state of higher education in India.
• Published by the Ministry of Education, this survey has been ongoing since 2011, covering all higher educational institutions across the country.
• It gathers detailed information on various aspects including student enrollment, faculty data, infrastructure, and finances.
• The report relies on voluntary data submission by higher education institutions listed on the aishe.gov.in portal, with the accuracy of the data overseen by the respective institution's Nodal Officers.