Lok Sabha Question No. 2385 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: To Increase GER in Higher Education
Ministry: Education
Asked by: D. M. Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2385

ANSWERED ON-18/12/2023

## TO INCREASE GER IN HIGHER EDUCATION

2385. SHRI D.M. KATHIR ANAND:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that India's Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Higher Education (27.1 per cent) is much lesser than countries like USA, Germany, UK;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the New Education Policy aims to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio in Higher Education to 50 per cent by 2035 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to incentivize the States having Higher GER, the Statewise details of Gross Enrolment Ratio?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

(DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

(a) & (b) As per the All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), has increased to 28.4 in 2021-22 (Provisional), from 27.3 in 2020-21 and 23.7 in 2014-15 (based on the population projections of 2011 Census for the age Group 18-23).

In India, GER for a year is taken as the Ratio of the Enrolment in Higher Education in the country in the particular year, to the projected population in the age-group 18-23 for the year. The GER in Higher Education is influenced by many factors, such as population in the age group, available eligible student population for Higher Education (i.e., School Pass outs), inflow and outflow of students from foreign countries, etc.

The GER of the country is reflecting an increasing trend over the years, on the basis of increased enrolment of students. The Enrolment in higher education increases to 4.33 Crores in 2021-22 from 3.42 Crores in 2014-15 (an increase of 91 Lakh students, i.e., 26.5% since 2014-15).  There has been a significant increase in Female GER (to 28.5 in 2021-22 from 22.9 in 2014-15), SC GER (to 25.9 in 2021-22 from 18.9 in 2014-15) and ST GER (to 21.2 in 202122 from 13.5 in 2014-15) over the years, on account of significant increases in enrolment in

Higher Education of Female students (32%), SC students (44%) and ST students (65.2%), respectively, since 2014-15.

(c)  The  National  Education  Policy  (NEP),  2020  envisages  increasing  the  GER  in  Higher Education including vocational education, to 50% by 2035.

(d) Government has taken various measures to increase the GER in Higher Education, which inter-alia include: -

- I. Opening of more Higher Education Institutions (HEIs):The number of Universities/University  level  Institutions  registered  under  AISHE  have  increased  to 1168  in  2021-22(Provisional)  from  760  in  2014-15.  Similarly,  number  of  Colleges registered under AISHE have increased to 45473 in 2021-22(Provisional) from 38498 in 2014-15.
- II. Open and distance learning (ODL): - Allowing well performing HEIs (based on NAAC and  NIRF  ranking)  by  UGC  to  offer  full  online  programmes  based  on  quality parameters, to widen the number of HEIs offering such ODL/Online programmes.
- III. Providing  of  Multiple  Entry  and  Exit:  -  The  provision  of  Multiple  Entry  and  Exit provides much-needed flexibility and appropriate exit as well re-entry options in the Higher Education system, to facilitate students to choose their learning trajectory. It will allow digitally storing the academic credits through the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) which inter alia will reduce drop-out rate, and increase GER.
- IV. SWAYAM (Study Webs for Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds): - SWAYAM is  a  National Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) platform to provide anytime, anywhere learning  opportunities  for  all  learners.  It  provides  high  quality  structured online courses in multiple disciplines from School to Post Graduation level enabling certification or grant of credits for degree. Up to 40% credit transfer is available for SWAYAM courses.  Around 35 Lakh students enrol for the SWAYAM courses every Semester.
- V. Facilitating  State  Governments  to  achieve  equity,  access,  and  excellence  in  higher education, through the Rastriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) / Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) Scheme.
- VI. Implementing  various  Scholarship  and  Fellowship  schemes  for  providing  financial assistance to students, including for SC/ST/OBC and Minority students
- VII. Conducting JEE, NEET (UG) and Common University Entrance Test (CUET) Exams in  13  languages,  to  facilitate  students  and  making  available  Text  Books  in  Indian Languages in Indian Language, to facilitate students, particularly from vernacular/rural background.

The States/UTs-wise GER, as per AISHE, 2021-22(Provisional) at the link https://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques . The National Education policy offers opportunities for  States  with  higher GER, to leverage the provisions such as Graded Autonomy for their institutions, aligning courses for Skill enhancement and greater employability of their students, accreditation  of  their  Institutions  for  ODL,  providing  Multiple  Entry  and  Exit  options  for students to choose their own learning trajectory, enhance online education capabilities, etc, to provide for more access and inclusivity for students of their States.

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