Tamil Nadu Tops India in Higher Education (GER)

According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24 released by the Central Government, Tamil Nadu has secured the first position in the country with a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 52.3%.

This is significantly higher than the national average of 30%.

Meaning of GER

Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) measures the number of students enrolled at a specific level of education as a percentage of the total population belonging to the designated age group for that level.

In India, the GER for higher education is calculated based on the 18–23 age group.

Tamil Nadu's Performance

The state's Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) stood at 47.0% in 2021-22, 49.1% in 2022-23, and 52.3% in 2023-24.

This consistent growth reflects improved access to higher education, institutional expansion, and increased student participation within the state.

Gender Analysis

In 2023-24, the female GER in Tamil Nadu was recorded at 53.1%, while the male GER was 51.6%. For the third consecutive year, the female GER surpassed the male GER, indicating a positive trend towards gender parity and women's empowerment in higher education.

Other Key Facts

Out of the state's 68.4 lakh youth (aged 18–23 years), 35.8 lakh were enrolled in higher education. Additionally, there are 2,18,656 faculty members in the state, accounting for 12.6% of India's total higher education teaching workforce.

UPSC Exam Perspective

Topics such as AISHE (All India Survey on Higher Education), Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), higher education indicators, gender parity, and human capital development are significant for the UPSC examination.