All-India Survey: In five years, enrolments in higher educational institutions dip in Chandigarh

Radhika Pasrija

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Chandigarh, January 28

Despite having the highest gross enrolment ratio (GER) of 64.8 in higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country, Chandigarh witnessed a decline in the GER over the past five years, as highlighted in the All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report for 2021-22.

The survey, whose report was released by the Ministry of Education, was conducted between November 2022 and March 2023. It has brought to light several relevant findings.

The survey reveals Chandigarh has the second lowest number of colleges per lakh population among the UTs i.e. 15 colleges, and the total number of colleges in the city remains 26.

Second lowest number of colleges among UTs

• Chandigarh has 15 colleges, second lowest per lakh population among the UTs in the country
• It is second preferred choice among UTs for foreign students with 436 of them in city institutions
• Number of enrolments among students belonging to OBC, SC and ST categories has increased

The survey points out that the number of women pursuing higher education in the city continues to exceed that of men, except in the undergraduate and certificate courses. The report highlights while men account for 49.8 per cent of total enrolments in colleges and universities of the city, women constitute the majority at 50.2 per cent of the total strength. According to the survey, the UT has a gender parity index of 1.33, indicating a disparity in favour of women.

As compared to the AISHE report for 2020-21, the number of enrolments among the OBC, SC and ST categories have increased in the city. Though a decline has been witnessed in the number of students belonging to the EWS category, there is an improvement in the numbers defining the PWD and other minority categories.

The pupil-teacher ratio (regular and distance mode) in the UT stands at 30, best in the region and four notches higher than the national figure.

Despite a decline in the average enrolments in city colleges over the past five years, the enrolment figure remains second highest in the country after Bihar. The City Beautiful is the second preferred choice for foreign students among UTs, with a total of 436 foreign students studying in local institutions.