Over and above: On the All India Survey on Higher Education data

The article analyzes the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) data for 2023-24, highlighting a significant narrowing of the gender gap in higher education with female enrolment rising by 42% over the past decade, reaching 2.24 crore and accounting for nearly half of all students. The Gender Parity Index (GPI) stands at 1.08, with notable increases among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. However, the article cautions that high enrolment numbers are superficial without corresponding employment opportunities. It points out that while women make up 44% of STEM students, they are concentrated in general sciences ('S') rather than engineering and technology. Furthermore, it discusses the persistent gender gap in teaching staff, the proliferation of low-tier colleges, and the disconnect between higher education and the formal job market, reflected in the low Female Labor Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) and significant wage disparities, urging policymakers to ensure fruitful paid employment for women graduates.