For the first time, undergraduate enrolments decline in India, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Undergraduate enrolments in India declined for the first time, as revealed by the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) reports for 2022-23 and 2023-24.
• The Union Ministry of Education released these AISHE reports after a prolonged delay.
• A total of 93,000 (0.27%) fewer students enrolled in undergraduate courses in 2023-24 compared to the previous year.
• This decline was observed only among male students, whose enrolments dropped by 2.2%, while female undergraduate enrolments increased by 1.8%.
• States like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, and Delhi recorded the highest drops in undergraduate enrolments.

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Detailed Insights:

• The decrease in undergraduate enrolments occurred despite an increase in the eligible youth population and the number of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
• Overall higher education enrolment saw its lowest-ever increase of 0.8% (3.7 lakh students) in 2023-24.
• The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for higher education marginally increased from 29.5 to 30.
• The decline in undergraduate courses was primarily across Arts, Sciences, and Commerce streams.
• Tamil Nadu recorded the highest increase in undergraduate enrolments, adding 1.6 lakh students.
• Uttar Pradesh experienced a significant drop in undergraduate enrolments, alongside a notable increase in diploma course enrolments.

Key Concepts Involved:

• All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE): An annual survey conducted by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to collect comprehensive data on higher education institutions across the country.
• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): A statistical measure representing the total enrolment in a specific level of education, regardless of age, expressed as a percentage of the population in the official age group for that level.
• Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Establishments that provide advanced learning opportunities beyond secondary education, typically offering degrees and certifications, including universities, colleges, and specialized schools.
• STEM courses: An acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, referring to academic disciplines that are crucial for innovation and technological advancement.