State-wise Analysis of Higher Education Enrollment in India

India’s higher education system functions as a vast engine, fueling aspirations for millions of young individuals.

By 2025, approximately 46.5 million (4.65 crore) students are expected to be enrolled in colleges and universities nationwide, marking a significant increase from 43.3 million in the 2021–22 academic year.

However, not every state or Union Territory (UT) enjoys the same level of student enrollment or access to higher education institutions. Some states are at the forefront, while others are still striving to catch up.

Let us examine the state-wise enrollment figures in higher education in India for 2025, investigate the reasons behind the disparities, and consider the implications for India’s future.

Gross Enrollment Ratio for Higher Education 2025

Rank	State/Union Territory	GER (%)
1	Chandigarh	64.8
2	Puducherry	61.5
3	Delhi	49.0
4	Tamil Nadu	47.0
5	Himachal Pradesh	43.1
6	Uttarakhand	41.8
7	Kerala	41.3
8	Telangana	40.2
9	Haryana	35.8
10	Maharashtra	34.6
11	Andhra Pradesh	33.5
12	Manipur	33.3
13	Sikkim	32.8
14	Karnataka	32.5
15	Goa	31.7
16	Punjab	31.2
17	Arunachal Pradesh	30.8
18	Mizoram	30.5
19	Tripura	30.2
20	Jammu and Kashmir	29.8
21	West Bengal	29.5
22	Rajasthan	29.2
23	Uttar Pradesh	28.8
24	Meghalaya	28.5
25	Nagaland	28.2
26	Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	28.0
27	Odisha	27.8
28	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	27.5
29	Madhya Pradesh	27.2
30	Gujarat	26.8
31	Chhattisgarh	26.5
32	Assam	26.2
33	Jharkhand	25.8
34	Bihar	25.5
35	Lakshadweep	25.0
36	Ladakh	24.5

Total number of Students enrolling for Higher Education

Rank	State/Union Territory	Total Students (Lakh)
1	Uttar Pradesh	70.68
2	Maharashtra	50.22
3	Tamil Nadu	39.53
4	Madhya Pradesh	33.48
5	West Bengal	31.62
6	Rajasthan	30.23
7	Karnataka	26.97
8	Bihar	25.58
9	Andhra Pradesh	22.32
10	Gujarat	20.93
11	Telangana	19.53
12	Haryana	17.67
13	Odisha	16.28
14	Punjab	14.88
15	Kerala	13.02
16	Delhi	11.63
17	Jharkhand	10.23
18	Chhattisgarh	9.30
19	Assam	8.37
20	Uttarakhand	6.98
21	Himachal Pradesh	5.58
22	Jammu and Kashmir	4.65
23	Goa	2.33
24	Tripura	1.86
25	Manipur	1.40
26	Puducherry	0.93
27	Meghalaya	0.93
28	Sikkim	0.47
29	Arunachal Pradesh	0.47
30	Nagaland	0.47
31	Mizoram	0.47
32	Chandigarh	0.47
33	Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	0.23
34	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	0.23
35	Lakshadweep	0.05
36	Ladakh	0.05

The Overview of Higher Education

India’s overall school enrollment is substantial, with over 250 million children attending schools, yet only a small percentage progress to higher education such as colleges or universities.

The enrollment rate for school-aged children in India is nearly 95% for those aged 6–14 (ASER 2018), but the rate for secondary school students aged 15–19 declines to about 33.6%.

Access to higher education is even more challenging, with only 32.5% of individuals aged 18–23 enrolled in 2025, a figure known as the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER).

This represents an increase from 28.4% in 2021–22, attributed to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for the establishment of more colleges and the expansion of online learning opportunities.

Where Are the Students?

Uttar Pradesh stands out with 70.68 lakh students (15.2% of the total), followed by Maharashtra (50.22 lakh, 10.8%) and Tamil Nadu (39.53 lakh, 8.5%).

These states boast large populations and a significant number of colleges—India had 52,538 colleges in 2025!

In contrast, smaller regions like Lakshadweep (0.05 lakh) and Ladakh (0.05 lakh) have fewer students due to their small populations and limited educational institutions.

The enrollment ratio in India at the primary level influences this situation—states with robust primary school enrollment, such as Kerala (with a literacy rate of 96%), tend to send a higher number of students to college.

Who is Leading in Access?

The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) indicates the percentage of young individuals (ages 18–23) enrolled in college.

Chandigarh leads with a GER of 64.8%, followed by Puducherry at 61.5% and Delhi at 49%. These regions are home to prestigious universities and offer urban accessibility.

Tamil Nadu, with a GER of 47%, and Kerala at 41.3% also excel, thanks to robust educational systems that enhance primary and secondary school enrollment rates in India.

Conversely, states such as Bihar (25.5%) and Ladakh (24.5%) fall behind due to a scarcity of colleges and rural obstacles.

The udise+ report underscores a notable decline in school enrollment in certain rural areas of India, adversely affecting higher education as well.

What Accounts for the Differences?

What factors contribute to the varying college enrollment rates among states? Here are some explanations:

• Population: Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra possess large populations, resulting in elevated figures for both school and college enrollment in India.
• Colleges and Urban Areas: Tamil Nadu and Delhi boast a significant number of universities (1,362 in total across India as of 2025) and urban settings, facilitating easier access to college education.
• Educational Systems: States like Kerala, which exhibit high primary school enrollment rates in India, effectively prepare a greater number of children for higher education. Initiatives such as cycling to school, aimed at increasing secondary school enrollment for girls in India, benefit states like Bihar, although disparities still exist.
• Financial Resources and Employment: Wealthier states like Haryana (with a GER of 35.8%) allocate more funds to higher education institutions, while less affluent states like Jharkhand (25.8%) face challenges in this regard.

Obstacles to Address

Despite progress, challenges remain. The decline in school enrollment in India by 2025 in certain states, including Jharkhand and Assam, results in fewer children advancing to college.

Only 73.7% of students enroll in government colleges, which are more affordable but frequently lack quality. Girls constitute 48% of college students (approximately 2.23 crore in 2025), yet STEM disciplines continue to be predominantly male.

Rural regions in states like Odisha (with a GER of 27.8%) are deficient in colleges, and merely 1.2% of students receive government scholarships, according to the CMS Education Survey 2025.

Bright Spots and the Road Ahead

India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 sets a target of achieving a 50% Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) by the year 2035.

States such as Telangana, with a current GER of 40.2%, are expanding their offerings by introducing online courses and vocational training programs.

The initiative of cycling to school has significantly increased secondary school enrollment for girls in India, particularly in states like Rajasthan, which has a 6.5% share in this improvement.

Innovative concepts such as the National Digital University and the introduction of blockchain certificates are enhancing the accessibility of education.

Leading states like Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are at the forefront of this movement, while smaller Union Territories like Chandigarh exemplify the importance of quality education over mere quantity.

Why It Matters

Higher education plays a crucial role in shaping the future of India by producing essential professionals such as doctors, engineers, and teachers.

Major states like Uttar Pradesh, which has 70.68 lakh students, and Maharashtra are significant contributors to these statistics. However, regions like Ladakh require additional support to bridge the gap.

Addressing the disparities between rural and urban areas, as well as gender imbalances, along with rectifying the decline in school enrollment by 2025, will facilitate a greater number of children transitioning to higher education.

Source

• Ministry of Education. (2024, January 31). All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021–22. https://aishe.gov.in/aishe-reports
• Ministry of Finance. (2024, July 22). Economic Survey 2024–25: Education and skill development. https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey