Expansion of Higher Education Institutions in India

With over 54,000 colleges, India is a leading country in higher education, enrolling 4.33 crore students across various streams. However, there is a serious need for the expansion of Higher Education Institutions to achieve the targetted GER of 50% by 2035.

India has the world’s 2nd largest higher education network with more than 54K colleges. As per data available at the Ministry of Education of India in March 2024, there are about 43.3 million students registered for higher education in India, a growth of 2 million students as compared to 2023. Naturally, with an increase in the number of students seeking higher education today, there has been a surge in the number of higher education institutions in the country. According to NEP 2020, the government has given the nod to create top grade national level institutions and arm the state governments with enough ammunition to establish quality higher education institutes within the states catering to the increasing demand for skilled graduates, the need to bridge the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) gap, thereby promoting economic growth and regional development in those states.

Also Read: CollegeDekho Launches India’s First Higher Education Trends Report - 'HEART'

While the government’s target of achieving a 32% GER by 2022 has not been met yet, it's exhilarating to see an upward trend.

Download HEART Report 2024

Here is a quick look at the current GER in India:

Total Higher Education Institutions	54,000+
Total Student Enrolment %	28.3%
Student Enrollment	4.33 million
Gross Enrolment Ratio % Increase (GER) (2022-23 vs 2021-22)	0.7% (increase)
Male vs Female GER%	27.9% vs 29.1%
Top Contributing States	Kerala, New Delhi, Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh
Top undergraduate streams	Arts (34%), Science (15%), Commerce (13%), Engineering & Technology (12%)
Top post-graduate streams	Social Science (21%), Science (15%), Management (14%), Engineering & Technology (12%)
Top Ph.D subjects	Engineering & Technology (25%), Science (21%), Social Science (13%) Data sourced from AISHE Report 2022-23 Also Read:*

Changing Market Trends in Higher Education in India	Challenges and Trends in Higher Education
Recent Trends in Higher Education in India	Role of CollegeDekho in Higher Education

So why is expansion of higher education institutes in India necessary?

Despite measures undertaken by the government, India still lags behind global benchmarks like China (GER at 51%) and developed nations like the United States and Canada exceeding 80%. To bridge this gap, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has set an ambitious target of achieving a 50% GER by 2035. Other factors include:

To meet India’s demand for educating the growing youth population
With approx. 600 million youth under age 25, the education system has to keep pace with the growing needs of students
Rising aspirations of families
Increasing demand for skilled professionals across sectors
Drive economic growth & development by contributing to the workforce, foster innovation & entrepreneurship, which can attract investment & create job opportunities

Top States with Maximum HEI’s in India:

State	No of HEI’s	Total Streams Available
Uttar Pradesh	1043	42,343
Maharashtra	1034	41,345
Tamil Nadu	1024	40,345
Karnataka	1014	39345
Andhra Pradesh	1004	38,345
Telangana	994	37,345
Gujarat	984	36,345
Madhya Pradesh	974	35,345
West Bengal	964	34,345
Bihar	954	33,345

*Data Source: All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) Report, 2019-20; National Education Policy 2020, Ministry of Education, Government of India etc.

Related Links:

Importance of Higher Education in India	Population vs College Density in India
Future of Higher Education in India	Which States have the Highest Number of Colleges in India?
Impact of Technology on Higher Education	Which is the Most Demanded Degree in India?

Importance of Right Counseling and Guidance

Given the ever-expanding educational landscape, the need for the right counselling and guidance for students becomes paramount. With a wider range of institutions and courses available, effective counselling can have a significant positive impact on students' lives. Here’s how:

Make Informed Decisions: Counselling can highlight students' strengths, weaknesses, interests and skillset. If someone can help them identify them and make them self-aware, they will be able to make informed decisions about their future.
Reduce Stress & Anxiety: Rather than running from pillar to post to choose and get admission to the right college, counsellors can reduce the students' stress by guiding them through and through & help navigate the application & admission process.
Better Performance at Academics: Students who choose a course most suitable to their calibre & interest leads to increased motivation, better academic performance & high graduation rates.

The expansion of higher education institutions in India is a positive step towards achieving educational equity and national development. With a healthy mix of focus on quality with quantity, India will truly reap the benefits of a skilled and educated workforce.

Governments, educational institutions, and stakeholders must collaborate to ensure that the newly established institutions are well-equipped with qualified faculty, updated curriculum, and adequate infrastructure & at the same time, career counsellors should look at students’ capabilities and direct them to colleges & courses where they will prove their mettle and contribute to society.

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HelloCurrently I am studying in 12th with pcb science and i want to take up b.a psychology.what is the cut off and how much percentage should i have in 12th?

-rinku anna georgeUpdated on November 15, 2025 10:36 PM

2 Answers

P sidhu, Student / Alumni

For admission to B.A. Psychology at LPU, the basic requirement is that you must have passed 12th in any stream, and PCB is perfectly acceptable. The typical minimum percentage needed is around 60% in your 10+2, although students with slightly lower scores may still be considered depending on the admission cycle. LPU may also conduct LPUNEST, which can help you qualify for admission as well as scholarships, but for many arts programs, merit-based admission is common. So, if you score around 60% or above in 12th, you are eligible to apply for B.A. Psychology at LPU.

Is there any admission criteria like eligibility exams for getting admission at Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga?

-NeethuUpdated on November 15, 2025 10:35 PM

2 Answers

P sidhu, Student / Alumni

Yes, LPU has specific admission criteria, and the main eligibility exam is LPUNEST (Lovely Professional University National Entrance and Scholarship Test). LPUNEST is used for admission to many programs and also provides scholarships based on performance. However, for some courses, LPU also accepts national-level exam scores like JEE, CLAT, NEET, CUET, or NATA depending on the program. Basic educational eligibility such as 10+2 marks is also required. In many cases, LPUNEST makes the admission process easier and helps students earn scholarships at LPU.

Bsc b ed. Kab se lagu hoga koie suchna

-Raja kumarUpdated on November 15, 2025 10:33 PM

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P sidhu, Student / Alumni

LPU offers a well-structured B.Sc. B.Ed. Integrated program, designed for students who want to build a strong foundation in science along with professional teacher training. The four-year course saves time compared to doing B.Sc. and B.Ed. separately. At LPU, students gain deep subject knowledge in physics, chemistry, mathematics, or biology along with practical teaching skills, classroom management training, and school internships. Modern labs, smart classrooms, and experienced faculty enhance learning. The program also prepares students for teaching jobs, competitive exams, and higher studies, making it a valuable choice at LPU.