SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s performance in girls’ education highlights both achievements and areas for improvement, as revealed by official data. During 2021-22, the region recorded 1,105,471 girls enrolled in school education (primary to higher secondary), placing it among the mid-tier performers nationwide. Larger states like Uttar Pradesh (22.1 million) and Bihar (13.2 million) led in absolute numbers, while states such as Himachal Pradesh (634,529) and Uttarakhand (1,111,546) had figures comparable to Jammu and Kashmir.
In higher education, Jammu and Kashmir enrolled 205,378 female students in 2020-21. This ranks it 17th out of 36 states and Union Territories, ahead of smaller states like Goa (30,881) and Manipur (69,583), but significantly below Maharashtra (2,054,252) and Uttar Pradesh (3,254,055).
The female Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education for Jammu and Kashmir stands at 27.2 per cent, placing it just below the national average of 27.9 per cent. This ranking situates Jammu and Kashmir in 18th position nationally. It outperforms regions such as Bihar (15.1 per cent, the lowest in the country) and Jharkhand (17.5 per cent), but lags behind states like Kerala (52.3 per cent, the highest), Tamil Nadu (48.6 per cent), and Delhi (48.5 per cent). Among its northern counterparts, Himachal Pradesh (44.7 per cent) and Uttarakhand (48.9 per cent) have significantly higher GERs, indicating stronger higher education engagement for girls.
Nationally, these figures reveal pronounced disparities in girls’ education. States like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, despite leading in school enrolments, struggle to transition girls into higher education, as reflected in their low GERs. In contrast, southern states and union territories such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry (61.1 per cent) excel in ensuring access and continuation in higher studies for women.
For Jammu and Kashmir, the data reflect a need to bridge the gap between school enrolment and higher education participation. Despite its moderate GER, the region performs better than several states with larger populations. However, significant strides are needed to compete with national leaders. Improving access to higher education, addressing socio-economic barriers, and enhancing educational infrastructure are critical for empowering girls in Jammu and Kashmir to pursue advanced studies. Focused interventions could help the region climb national rankings and foster a more equitable educational landscape.
