Union Ministry for Education Releases Reports of the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE): 2022-23 & 2023-24

📌 Summary:

• Ministry of Education released AISHE reports for 2022-23 and 2023-24 — the primary source of official statistics on higher education in India (web-based, self-reported by HEIs via Data Capture Format)
• HEI participation rate exceeded 90% in both years (56,180 of 60,380 in 2022-23; 59,533 of 64,756 in 2023-24)
• GER (18–23 age group, 2011 population projections): 23.7 (2014-15) → 29.5 (2022-23) → 30.0 (2023-24); female GER rose to 31.2
• Gender Parity Index (GPI) = 1.08 in 2023-24; above 1.0 for seven consecutive years — female participation consistently higher than male
• Total enrolment: 3.42 crore (2014-15) → 4.50 crore (2023-24), +31.5%; female enrolment 2.24 crore (+42.2% since 2014-15)
• SC GER 27.8 (from 18.9), ST GER 22.8 (from 13.5); enrolment growth since 2014-15: SC +51.4%, ST +75.7%, OBC +60.2%
• STEM enrolment 1.02 crore; female share in STEM up from 38.4% to 44%
• Faculty: 17.32 lakh total; female faculty 7.78 lakh (44.9%)
• Caveat: participation voluntary, data self-reported by HEIs

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 Education — progress against NEP 2020 target of 50% GER by 2035; equity dimensions (gender, SC/ST/OBC) in higher education

📝 Prelims Facts:

• AISHE conducted by Ministry of Education; GER base: 18–23 years population (2011 projections)
• GER 2023-24 = 30.0; Female GER = 31.2; GPI = 1.08
• Enrolment 4.50 crore (2023-24); STEM female share 44%

🔑 Key Term: Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) — enrolment in higher education as a percentage of the 18–23 age-group population, regardless of the age of enrolled students