Question : GER in Higher Education

(a) the details of the number of Universities, Colleges, Standalone Institutes, Schools across
the country including Tamil Nadu;
(b) the details of the current gross enrolment ratio in higher education;
(c) whether it is not as per the set GER in higher education especially in backward/rural
areas of the country including Tamil Nadu;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the action taken/being taken
by the Government to cover the backward/rural areas within the country including Nilgiris
District of Tamil Nadu;
(e) whether the Government is planning to set a target of achieving 50 percent GER in
higher education to equip its working population with employable skills; and
(f) if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken by the Government in this
regard?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)

(a): As per All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), 2018-19 and U-DISE+ 2018-19
(Provisional), the number of Universities, Colleges, Standalone Institutions and schools across
the Country is 993, 39931, 10725 and 1550006 respectively. In respect of Tamil Nadu State,
there are 59 Universities, 2466 Colleges, 918 Standalone Institutions and 59152 schools.
(b): As per All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), 2018-19, the current gross
enrolment ratio in higher education in India is 26.3. The Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher
education in Tamil Nadu is 49.0.
(c) & (d): The 12th Plan Document has fixed targets of 30% GER by 2020-21. In order to
increase the enrolment in higher educational institutions, various measures have been taken by
Government which includes issuing of new UGC regulation for Open and Distance Learning that
allows entry of reputed institutions to offer education on the distance mode. Using of ICT
technology- SWAYAM portal to reach out of people and allow them to secure good quality
education. Encouraging opening of institutions by State Governments through the Rashtriya
Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) which aims to achieve equity, access and excellence in
higher education. The scheme supports components such as upgrading autonomous colleges to
universities, clustering colleges to establish a university, setting up of new professional colleges
in un-served and underserved areas as well as providing infrastructure grants to universities and
colleges to scale up capacity. More scholarship programmes to supplement the cost of education.
Moreover, Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) has been established under the
Companies Act, 2013 to leverage funds from market to finance improvement in infrastructure in
top institutions of education.
(e) & (f): No such target has been fixed.
*****