Private colleges dominate India's higher education landscape
Seven out of every 10 colleges in India are privately managed, according to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24 report released on July 9, 2026. The report reveals that 70% of the country's higher education institutions are under private management, while government and local body institutions account for the remaining 30%.
Arts remains the most popular stream at undergraduate level
At the undergraduate level, Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences continues to be the most enrolled stream, attracting 34% of all students. Science follows with 16%, Commerce with 14%, and Engineering and Technology with 12%. This trend has remained consistent over the past decade, with Arts maintaining its lead despite growing emphasis on STEM fields.
Women's participation in higher education continues to rise
The report highlights a steady increase in women's enrollment across disciplines. The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for women has risen to 28.5% in 2023-24 from 27.3% in 2022-23. Overall GER stands at 27.1%, up from 26.1% the previous year. Women now constitute 48% of total enrollment, compared to 47% five years ago.
According to the Ministry of Education, “The increasing participation of women in higher education is a positive indicator of gender parity in access to learning.” The report notes that women outnumber men in enrollment in Arts, Science, and Commerce streams, while men dominate in Engineering, Technology, and Management.
Enrollment trends by level and discipline
Total enrollment in higher education has reached 43.3 million students in 2023-24, up from 41.6 million in 2022-23. Undergraduate programs account for 79% of total enrollment, postgraduate 11%, and Ph.D. 0.5%. The number of universities has grown to 1,168, colleges to 45,500, and standalone institutions to 12,500.
Among states, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of colleges (8,500), followed by Maharashtra (4,800) and Karnataka (4,200). The report also shows that 55% of colleges are located in rural areas, reflecting increased access in hinterlands.
Disparities in public and private institution quality
While private colleges dominate in numbers, public institutions account for a larger share of research output and higher accreditation ratings. Only 12% of private colleges have NAAC accreditation above B grade, compared to 38% of government colleges. The report recommends strengthening regulatory oversight to ensure quality in private institutions.
“The AISHE data serves as a crucial tool for policy planning,” said an official from the Department of Higher Education. “It helps identify gaps in access, equity, and quality across regions and disciplines.”
