SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir recorded a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 21.5 per cent in higher education during 2023-24, significantly below the national average of 30 per cent, the Union Ministry of Education informed the Rajya Sabha.
The data, presented in a written reply by Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar, was based on the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24. It showed that JK’s GER remained higher than neighbouring Ladakh (11.9 per cent) but lagged behind several major States, including Himachal Pradesh (46.4 per cent), Punjab (30.8 per cent), Haryana (35.1 per cent) and Delhi (53 per cent). Bihar recorded a GER of 17.7 per cent, while Puducherry topped the country with 72.3 per cent.
The Centre said the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to raise the country’s higher education GER to 50 per cent by 2035 through a series of reforms and expansion measures.
To improve enrolment, particularly in educationally underserved regions, the government said it has established new higher educational institutions since 2014-15, including eight Central Universities, seven IITs, eight IIMs, 16 IIITs, two IISERs, one NIT and 12 AIIMS.
The Ministry said it is also implementing scholarship and fellowship schemes for students from SC, ST, OBC, minority and other disadvantaged communities, while expanding access through online and distance learning platforms such as SWAYAM, flexible admissions, multiple entry and exit options, and the provision allowing students to pursue two academic programmes simultaneously.
The Centre said the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), launched in 2023 with an outlay of Rs 12,926.10 crore for 2023-24 to 2025-26 and extended until March 31, 2028, gives priority to districts with low enrolment, poor gender parity and other educational disadvantages. The scheme supports infrastructure development, including hostels, laboratories, smart classrooms and digital libraries.
The government further informed Parliament that the approved expansion of IIT Jammu, along with four other newer IITs, under the 2025-26 Union Budget involves a total investment of Rs 11,828.79 crore and is expected to create capacity for an additional 6,500 students. It also highlighted the 2026-27 Union Budget announcement to establish five university townships near major industrial and logistics corridors and one girls’ hostel in every district to encourage enrolment, particularly in STEM education.
