According to the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), the representation of female students in higher education in India is at its all-time high with 2.07 crore in 2021-22, and in fact, 48% of the total enrollment is female. The report was released on Thursday.
The survey conducted by the Union Education Ministry covers higher educational institutions across the country, collecting detailed information on several parameters such as student enrolment, teachers’ data, infrastructure and financial information.
According to the report, a steady increasing trend has been observed in female enrollment over the last few years. “Female enrollment has increased from 2.01 crore in 2020-21 to 2.07 crore in 2021-22 and 1.74 crore in 2017-18, i.e. an increase of 18.7% in enrollment during 5 years. Female enrollment has increased by approximately 50 lakh since 2014-15. In 2014-15, female enrollment was 1,57,23,018,” the report said.
The share of female enrollment in total enrollment since 2014-15 is 55% (91 lakh). According to the report, this means that female enrollment has increased more than male enrollment.
University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman M Jagadish Kumar said this marks a paradigm shift in access to higher education for women students. “This shows that the Indian education system aims to empower women to make their own path in their career journey. “Initiatives like targeted scholarships, girls’ hostels and flexible learning options have undoubtedly played a vital role in fostering this environment of inclusivity,” he said.
There are 1.13 crore students in Arts stream at the undergraduate level, of which 51% are women and 49% are men. In the Faculty of Science, in which 49.18 lakh students are enrolled, of which 50.8% are females and 49.2% are males. There are 44.08 lakh students enrolled in the Faculty of Commerce, of which 47.2% are female and 52.8% are male students.
“It is encouraging to see more young women pursuing STEM subjects in higher education,” said Sonal Kapoor, founding director of Protsahan India Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO). “It is encouraging to see a trend towards gender inclusivity in traditionally male-dominated fields. Gives indication of. However, the true measure of progress lies not only in enrollment numbers, but also in the translation of these educational achievements into meaningful career opportunities and economic independence for young women.”
Female participation in various undergraduate programs including Bachelor of Arts (female to male ratio: 113), Bachelor of Science (female to male ratio: 108), BA (Hons) – Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (female to male ratio: 108) More doing. 124), and B.Ed.-Bachelor of Education (female to male ratio: 176). In medical science courses, 17.05 lakh students were enrolled, of which 57.6% were female and 42.4% were male students.
At the postgraduate level, female participation is very high in programs including M.A.-Master of Arts (per 100 male females: 170), M.Sc.-Master of Science (per 100 male females: 157), M.Com.-Master of . Commerce (females per 100 males: 174), Master of Education (females per 100 males: 202).
These are also the programs with the highest enrollments at the postgraduate level.
At the PhD level, female enrollment comprises 47% of the total 2.12 lakh students. In fact, female enrollment in PhD has doubled from 47,717 in 2014-15 to 98,636 in 2021-22, the report said.
However, female representation in engineering and technical courses remains poor at 29.1% compared to 70.9% of male students.
