AISHE survey finds more Indians opting for higher studies

As per recent reports of All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE), there has been a substantial increase in the overall enrolment in higher education, from 27.5 million in 2010-11 to 33.3 million in 2014-15. There has also been an improvement in Gross Enrolment Ratio from 19.4% on 2010-11 to 23.6% in 2014-15.

While releasing the sixth AISHE survey HRD minister Smriti Irani said the fact that the GER has shown significant improvement from 19.4% in 2010-11 to 23.6% in 2014-15 gives hope that the target of 30% GER by 2020 is achievable.

GER is a ratio of enrolment in higher education to population in the eligible age group (18-23) years.

Gender Parity Index (GPI), a ratio of proportional representation of female and male, has marginally improved from 0.86 to 0.93 in the corresponding period.

The number of institutions of higher education listed on All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) portal has also increased significantly - universities from 621 to 757 and colleges from 32, 974 to 38,056 during the same period.

The survey initiated in 2011 to prepare a robust database on higher education is now collecting data for 2014-15.

The minster has highlighted the efforts being made to increase the number of female teachers in higher education. “The data-base acts as a rich depository that gives direction while devising policies to improve higher education,” said Irani.

The survey covers all the higher education institutions of the country including universities, colleges and stand-alone institutions. The entire survey has been voluntary, based on the motivation of respondents; and without any statutory mandate in place for collecting information of this nature. The survey compiles and manages statistics directly online from respondent institutions.