Economic Survey 2023-24: Higher Education Enrolment Reaches 4.33 Crore, Female Participation Up by 31.6%
India's progress in research and development: Nearly 1,00,000 patents granted in FY24 compared to less than 25,000 in FY20. The country's rank in the Global Innovation Index has improved from 81st in 2015 to 40th in 2023. Ph.D. enrolment increased by 81.2% in FY22
The Economic Survey 2023-24, presented in Parliament today by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighted a significant surge in higher education enrolment over the past eight years.
According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22, total enrolment in higher education reached nearly 4.33 crore in FY22, up from 3.42 crore in FY15, marking a 26.5% increase.
Boost in Female Enrolment
A notable aspect of this growth is the substantial increase in female enrolment. Female students in higher education grew to 2.07 crore in FY22 from 1.57 crore in FY15, representing a 31.6% rise. This increase highlights the advancing equity in the sector, providing enhanced educational opportunities for women and underprivileged sections such as SC, ST, and OBC.
Digital Innovations and Lifelong Learning
The survey underscores the role of digital infrastructure in reshaping lifelong learning in India. With 26.52 crore students in school, 4.33 crore in higher education, and over 11 crore in skilling institutions, the educational landscape is extensive. Key digital solutions like the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) and the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) facilitate seamless credit accumulation and transfer, bolstering student mobility and academic credential verification.
APAAR and ABC have enabled students to pursue courses from different institutions, targeting scholarships, internships, and educational loans using their academic profiles. As of July 2024, 2037 higher education institutions have joined ABC, and 30.13 crore APAAR IDs have been created across various educational levels.
Future Directions in Education
The survey emphasizes the need for mission-mode, cost-effective implementation of educational programs to enhance quality, especially in primary education. Improving teaching quality through better supervision, performance recognition, and hiring local volunteers for targeted teaching are among the suggested strategies.
Advancements in Research and Development
It states that India's progress in research and development is also noteworthy, with nearly 1,00,000 patents granted in FY24 compared to less than 25,000 in FY20. The country's rank in the Global Innovation Index has improved from 81st in 2015 to 40th in 2023. Ph.D. enrolment increased by 81.2% in FY22, and the Gross Expenditure on R&D has more than doubled since FY11.
Finance Minister informed that the Government's recent initiatives, including increased scholarships for Ph.D. and post-doctoral research and the establishment of the National Research Foundation 'Anusandhan,' further demonstrate India's commitment to strengthening its R&D ecosystem. The Economic Survey 2023-24 outlines India's significant strides in higher education and research, highlighting the crucial role of equity and digital innovation in driving these achievements. The continued focus on quality education and robust R&D infrastructure is poised to propel India's development trajectory.
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Abhay an alumnus of IIMC and Delhi University, has over a decade long experience of reporting on various beats of journalism. During his free time he prefers listening to music or play indoor and outdoor games.