The number of students pursuing research and doctoral programmes in the higher education system in 2021-22 has witnessed a record increase of 81.2 percent at 21.3 lakh, as compared to 1.17 lakh in 2014-15. The number of female students enrolled in PhD has also doubled in this time period, shows a report on higher education in India released by the ministry of education.

The All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) report 2021-22 covers 1,162 universities, 45,473 colleges, and 12,002 standalone higher education institutions in the country. The report gives out data sets and details of student enrolment, teachers and the number of higher education institutions. The ministry has been releasing these reports since 2011.

The report shows that an increasing number of students have been enrolling for research programmes across states. The total PhD enrolment increased to 81.2 percent with 2.13 lakh students in 2021-22 from what was 1.17 lakh in 2014-15. Besides, female students enrolled in PhD courses doubled with 98,636 in 2021-21 from 47,717 in 2014-15.

University Grants Commission chairperson Prof M Jagadesh Kumar said the 81.2 percent increase in PhD enrolment, with a 107 percent rise among female students, is a noteworthy achievement of the higher education system in the country.

“This surge in interest in research, particularly among women, gives great hope for the future of academia and innovation. Encouraging a vibrant research ecosystem through grants, scholarships and mentorship programmes will sustain this momentum,” he said.

The report highlights that at the PhD level, enrolment is highest in engineering and technology (24.8 percent) followed by science (21.3 percent) based on actual response. Social science, medical science, management are some other major disciplines that students opt to pursue PhD-level academic programmes.

Out of the total enrolment in 2021-22, the number of students enrolled in STEM, or science stream (including mathematics) engineering and technology streams, across undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and PhD levels is 98.5 lakh – this means just 25.6 percent, the report said.

Even though females (29.8 lakh) have outnumbered males (27.4 lakh) in the science stream, their representation continues to remain poor in engineering and technical courses at 29.1 percent against 70.9 percent males. Across institutions, the number of female students enrolled in STEM courses have remained low, as compared to male students.

“The gender disparity in STEM fields remains a point of focus. While we celebrate the 35.1% increase in the science enrolment of female students, the lag in engineering and technology calls for further introspection. We aim to continue dismantling societal stereotypes and creating an environment encouraging young women to confidently pursue their science and technology aspirations,” Kumar added.

The report states that for engineering and technology, overall enrolment in all UG, PG, PhD levels is 41.31 lakh. Of these, the highest enrolment is in computer science engineering followed by mechanical, electronics, civil and electrical streams.

At least 78.9 percent students are enrolled in UG level courses and 12.1 percent are in PG. “Based on actual response at undergraduate level, enrolment is highest in arts (34.2%), followed by science (14.8%), commerce (13.3%) and engineering and technology (11.8%). At postgraduate level, maximum students are enrolled in social science stream (21.1%) followed by science (14.7%),” the report stated.

It also showed that state public universities have the highest share of enrolment, accounting for around 31 percent of the total enrolment for universities. All open universities (central/state/state/private) make up for another 31.8 percent of university enrolments.