Positive Trends in Higher Education Enrollment Revealed by AISHE 2021-22 Survey

Positive Trends in Higher Education Enrollment Revealed by AISHE 2021-22 Survey

The Ministry of Education, Government of India, released the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-2022, providing insights into the state of higher education in the country.

Enrollment Trends

  • Total enrollment in higher education reached nearly 4.33 crore in 2021-22, reflecting a 26.5% increase since 2014-15.
  • The gross enrollment ratio (GER) rose from 23.7 in 2014-15 to 28.4 in 2021-22.
  • Female GER increased from 22.9 in 2014-15 to 28.5 in 2021-22.

Gender-specific Enrollment

  • Female enrollment in higher education increased to 2.07 crore in 2021-22 from 1.57 crore in 2014-15.

Enrollment by Social Categories

  • SC student enrollment in 2021-22 increased by 44% compared to 2014-15, reaching 66.23 lakh.
  • SC female student enrollment increased to 31.71 lakh in 2021-22 from 21.02 lakh in 2014-15.
  • ST and OBC student enrollments reached 27.1 lakh and 1.63 crore in 2021-22, respectively.

Institutional Landscape

  • The survey identified 1,168 universities/university-level institutions, 45,473 colleges, and 12,002 standalone institutions.

Discipline-wise Enrollment

  • At the undergraduate level, enrollment is highest in Arts (34.2%), followed by Science (14.8%), Commerce (13.3%), and Engineering & Technology (11.8%).

Postgraduate and PhD Enrollment

  • Social Science has the highest postgraduate enrollment (21.1%).
  • PhD enrollment increased by 81.2%, reaching 2.12 lakh in 2021-22 compared to 1.17 lakh in 2014-15.

Faculty and Teacher Demographics

  • The total number of faculty and teachers in 2021-22 is 15.98 lakh, with 56.6% male and 43.4% female.
  • Female faculty and teacher numbers increased by 22% since 2014-15.
  • The ratio of females per 100 male faculty improved from 75 in 2020-21 to 77 in 2021-22.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers

What is the GER in higher education in 2021-22 compared to 2014-15?

  • a) 23.7
  • b) 28.4
  • c) 26.5
  • d) 22.9
  • Answer: b) 28.4

How much has female enrollment in higher education increased from 2014-15 to 2021-22?

  • a) 10%
  • b) 15%
  • c) 30%
  • d) 31.7%
  • Answer: c) 30%

What is the percentage increase in SC student enrollment from 2014-15 to 2021-22?

  • a) 26.5%
  • b) 44%
  • c) 75%
  • d) 21.1%
  • Answer: b) 44%

Which discipline has the highest enrollment at the undergraduate level in AISHE 2021-22?

  • a) Science
  • b) Commerce
  • c) Arts
  • d) Engineering & Technology
  • Answer: c) Arts

What is the percentage increase in PhD enrollment from 2014-15 to 2021-22?

  • a) 60%
  • b) 81.2%
  • c) 50%
  • d) 75%
  • Answer: b) 81.2%