Higher Education Enrollment Crossed the 4 crore mark for the first time in India.

The government’s All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2020-2021 shows that the number of students enrolled in higher education institutions for the academic year 2020-21 rose to 4.14 crore, breaking the 4 crore or 40 million barrier for the first time.

It showed an increase of 7.5% from 2019-2020 and 21% from 2014-2015.

From 1.88 crore in 2019-20, now 2.01 crore more female students are enrolled. According to survey data, since 2014-15, their population has increased by about 44 lakh (28%).

Since 2011, all higher education institutions located in Indian territory and providing higher education across the country have been included in the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) conducted by the Ministry of Education.

The survey collects data on a whole host of different aspects including student enrolment, instructor data, infrastructure data, financial data etc.

Higher education institutions, or HEIs, filled online data for the first time in AISHE 2020-21 using the Web Data Capture Format (DCF) created by the Department of Higher Education with the help of the National Informatics Center (NIC).

“The total enrollment in higher education has increased from 3.85 crore in 2019-20 to about 4.14 crore in 2020-21. Since 2014-15, there has been an increase of about 72 lakh in enrollment (21 pc). Female enrollment in 2019-20 has increased from 1.88 crore to 2.01 crore. An increase of about 44 lakh (28 pc) since 2014-15,” the education ministry said in a statement.

 “Percentage of female enrollment to total enrollment has increased from 45 pc in 2014-15 to around 49 pc in 2020-21. According to population estimates for the age group 18-23 years in 2011, GER increased from 25.6 in 2019 to 27.3 in2019 – 20,” it added.

As per the survey, enrollment of SC students increased significantly in 2020-21 as compared to 2014-15, with an increase of 28% for overall SC students and 38% for female SC students.

“Enrollment in specialized universities related to Defence, Sanskrit, Biotechnology, Forensic, Design, Sports etc. has increased in 2020-21 as compared to 2014-15. Total number of pass-outs increased to 95.4 lakhs in 2020-21″ 94 lakh in 2019-20,” it said.

(With inputs from PTI)

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