India’s higher education sector has expanded significantly over the past decade, with a sharp increase in universities, colleges, student enrolment and women’s participation, according to a recent SBI Research report.The report highlighted that the number of universities increased from 723 in FY14 to 1,289 in FY24, while the number of colleges rose from 36,634 to 48,246 during the same period. Total higher education enrolment crossed 4.5 crore students in FY24, with male and female participation reaching nearly equal levels.Key HighlightsUniversities increased from 723 in FY14 to 1,289 in FY24Colleges increased to 48,246 from 36,634Higher education enrolment crossed 4.5 crore in FY24Women accounted for a nearly equal share of total student enrolmentFemale participation has increased strongly across higher educationWomen outnumbered men in undergraduate science enrolmentWomen accounted for 45% of teachers in FY24IITs, IIMs and NITs expanded from 59 institutions in FY14 to 76 in FY26Higher Education Institutions See Major ExpansionThe SBI Research report found that India’s higher education infrastructure has grown considerably over the past decade.The number of universities reached 1,289 in FY24, compared with 723 in FY14. Colleges increased to 48,246 from 36,634, while standalone higher education institutions rose from 11,664 to 15,221.Official AISHE data also shows that overall higher education enrolment increased from 3.42 crore students in 2014-15 to 4.50 crore in 2023-24, representing a 31.5% rise.The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) also increased from 23.7 in 2014-15 to 30 in 2023-24.Women’s Participation RisesWomen’s participation has been one of the major areas of growth.According to the latest AISHE figures, female enrolment increased from 1.57 crore in 2014-15 to 2.24 crore in 2023-24, a 42.2% rise. Female GER increased from 22.9 to 31.2 during the same period and remained higher than the male GER of 28.9 for the seventh consecutive year.The Gender Parity Index in higher education also improved to 1.08 in 2023-24, indicating higher female participation relative to male participation.The SBI Research report noted that women now outnumber men in undergraduate science education, while female representation among PhD students is close to that of men.Women’s participation in STEM education has also increased. The share of female students in STEM enrolment rose from 38.4% in 2014-15 to 44% in 2023-24.Faculty and Premier Institutions ExpandThe number of teachers in higher education increased to 17.3 lakh in FY24 from 13.7 lakh in FY14. Women accounted for 44.9% of the teaching workforce in 2023-24, according to AISHE data.The number of IITs, IIMs and NITs also increased from 59 in FY14 to 76 in FY26, according to the SBI Research analysis.Placements from premier institutions have also grown. IIM placements increased to around 13,700 in FY24 from about 7,500 in FY16, while IIT placements rose to approximately 17,500 from 9,500 over the same period. The report said median salaries across IIMs, IITs and NITs more than doubled between FY16 and FY24.Challenges Remain in Higher EducationDespite the expansion, the report identified several challenges facing India's higher education system.Around one-third of sanctioned teaching positions in centrally funded universities and institutions remain vacant, with vacancies particularly high at the professor level.SBI Research also called for greater public investment in higher education, noting that its share of total government expenditure has remained around 1% in recent years. The report recommended stronger investment in research, improved industry-academia links and greater expansion of vocational education.India’s official higher education data similarly points to continuing expansion while highlighting the need to improve quality, access and infrastructure as enrolment grows.
