Lok Sabha Question No. 2331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Reduction of Girl Students after implementation of CUET
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2331 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## Reduction of Girl Students after implementation of CUET

## †2331.  Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has noticed a sudden drop in the number of girl students taking admission in undergraduate courses of Delhi University (DU) after the introduction of Common University Entrance Test (CUET);
- (b)  the  year-wise  number  of  girl  students  taking  admission  in  DU  before  and  after  the introduction of CUET and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the girls from remote areas are lagging behind in the admission and in meeting the CUET examination level, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (d)  whether the Government has any plans to implement any special scheme, support system or  admission facilitation  policy  to  increase  the  participation  of  girl  students  in  leading educational institutions of the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to  (d):  In  pursuance  of  the  National  Education  Policy,  2020,  the  Common  University Entrance  Test  (CUET)  is  being  conducted  by  the  National  Testing  Agency  (NTA)  for admission in Central Universities from the academic year 2022-23 to reduce the burden on students,  universities  and  the  entire  education  system.  The  number  of  girl  students  who appeared in CUET(UG) from the academic year 2022-23 to 2024-25 is as follows:

| Academic Year   | No. of Girl Students who appeared in CUET(UG) Examination   |
|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2022-23         | 4,29,228                                                    |
| 2023-24         | 5,13,978                                                    |
| 2024-25         | 5,94,324                                                    |

During  the  same  period,  i.e.  from  2022-23  to  2024-25,  the  number  of  female  candidates admitted in Delhi University (DU) is more than the number of male candidates admitted in each year, i.e. 34010, 36126 and 39242 female candidates were admitted in DU's undergraduate courses as against 30662, 32425 and 33124 male candidates for the academic years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 respectively.

CUET  offers  a  single-window  opportunity  for  students  seeking  admission  to  Central Universities (CUs) and other participating institutions including State Universities, Deemed Universities, and Private Universities across the country, particularly benefiting those from rural and remote areas. The test evaluates students from various educational boards on an equal footing, ensuring a level playing field.

Consequently,  CUET  enables  all  students,  including  girl  candidates,  to  choose  courses  or programs of their preference not only at Delhi University but also across a broad spectrum of Central Universities and participating institutions. While the inaugural CUET (UG) edition included  90  participating  institutions,  this  number  has  now  expanded  to  240  in  the  latest edition. As per the All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE), the number of girl students taking admission in undergraduate courses in Universities/Colleges/Standalone Institutions of Delhi/NCR is 4,09,832 (for academic year 2020-21), 4,25,006 (for academic year 2021-22) and 4,91,511(for academic year 2022-23) which highlights increasing trend in admission of female candidates in the institutions of Delhi/NCR.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is implementing the scheme of 'Development of Women's Studies in Indian Universities and Colleges'. This scheme provides funds for setting up  Women  Studies  Centers  (WSCs)  in  universities  and  colleges,  focusing  on  teaching, research,  curriculum  development,  training  and  outreach  activities.  The  objectives  of  the scheme  are  to  provide  financial  support  in  advancing  Women's  Studies  through  teaching, research and practical work.

Various scholarships are also offered to support and motivate meritorious girl students. For instance,  the  All  India  Council  of  Technical  Education  (AICTE)  offers  scholarships  under Pragati Scholarship Scheme to meritorious girl students to encourage them to pursue higher education.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) offers fellowships to promote research in basic  and  applied  sciences  among  women through programs under Women in Science and Engineering-  KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN) and SERB- Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research (SERBPOWER) Fellowship scheme to identify and reward outstanding women researchers  and  innovators  working  in  various  Science  &  Technology  program  in Indian academic institutions and R&D laboratories.

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