Gender Study in Higher Education in India: A Critical Analysis (Based on the All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023–24)
Author : Ayan Ali Ahmed and Kanchan Choudhury
Abstract :
Gender equality in higher education is central to social justice, human capability development, economic participation and democratic citizenship. This seminar paper critically analyses the gender dimension of higher education in India using the All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023–24 as its principal empirical source. AISHE provides gender-disaggregated information on enrolment, Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), Gender Parity Index (GPI), social categories, disciplines, teaching and non-teaching staff and institutional types. The evidence shows substantial progress in women's participation: female students account for 49.7% of total higher-education enrolment, female GER is 31.2 compared with 28.9 for males, and the all-India GPI is 1.08. Female GER has remained above male GER since 2017–18. Female participation is also strong among SC, ST, OBC and minority groups, and in the North-Eastern States female enrolment exceeds male enrolment. Women constitute 44.9% of teachers overall and 40.4% of university-level teachers. Intersectional gaps are also visible among SC, ST, OBC and minority teachers. The paper therefore argues for a shift from enrolment-centred policy to a life-cycle and institution-wide approach involving financial support, safe campuses, mentoring, gender-responsive infrastructure, transparent recruitment and promotion, STEM participation, childcare and measurable accountability.
Keywords :
Gender equality, Higher education, Women, AISHE 2023–24, Gender Parity Index, GER, NEP 2020, Faculty representation, Inclusion.
