Indian University Students: How Many Are There?

India's higher education system is vast and complex, with over 700 universities and 35,000 colleges enrolling more than 20 million students as of 2016. The number of universities has continued to grow, reaching 993 in 2018-2019 and 1,168 in 2022. This includes a mix of public and private institutions, with most being state-run and funded. The system caters to a large and diverse student population, with over 37 million students enrolled in higher education in 2018-2019, a significant increase from the previous year. The majority of students are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs, particularly three-year B.A., B.Com., or B.Sc. degrees, with engineering and technology also being popular choices.

India's student population grew by 800,000 in 2018-19

India has a large and complex higher education system, with over 58,000 institutions of higher education. In the academic year 2022, there were about 1,168 universities in the country, the majority of which were state-run public universities. There are also 17 women-exclusive universities. With so many institutions, it is no surprise that India has the world's second-largest higher education system. Nearly 2,400 higher education institutions were added in 2021-22 alone.

In total, there are 43.3 million students enrolled in higher education in India, with an additional 2 million students added in 2021-22. This is an increase of 6.7 million students over five years, or 18%. The top 6 states contributing to student enrolment are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Rajasthan, which are home to 51.4% of the total population aged 18-23.

The student participation rate, or gross enrolment ratio (GER), in higher education has increased to 28.4%. The highest GERs are in Chandigarh, Puducherry, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, and Telangana.

The number of female students has increased to 20.7 million in 2021-22, with an additional 600,000 female students in just one year. While male students make up a slight majority overall, with around 52% of total enrolment, the Gender Parity Index is 1.01, indicating a higher gross enrolment rate among female students. Female enrolment is significantly higher in Kerala, Telangana, Haryana, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, and Chhattisgarh. At the postgraduate level, female students make up the majority, with more than 55% of students.

India's higher education system is growing rapidly, with the number of students enrolled increasing by almost 800,000 in 2018-19. This growth is driven by the addition of new institutions and the increasing participation of women.

There are 700-1,168 universities in India

India's higher education system is extensive, with an estimated 700 to 1,168 universities across the country as of the academic year 2022. This large number of institutions supports a complex system of higher education, enrolling more than 20 million students. The majority of universities in India are state-funded public universities, with 479 active state universities as of November 2023. Additionally, there were 56 central universities, which are established and governed by the Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education.

The Indian higher education system also includes private universities, with 455 state-recognized private institutions as of November 2023. These private universities are typically established by an Act of a State Legislative Assembly and are approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The UGC is responsible for recognizing universities in India and draws its power from the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.

The types of universities in India can be further categorized into central universities, state universities, deemed universities, and private universities. State universities are the most common, with 42 in the state of Karnataka alone. Deemed universities are granted autonomy by the Department of Higher Education, and there were 124 such institutes as of November 2023.

The Indian higher education system also includes Institutes of National Importance, which are authorized to award degrees autonomously but are not officially called "universities." These include institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Management.

85% of students are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs

India has one of the largest higher education systems in the world, with over 58,000 institutions and more than 20 million students enrolled. The higher education system includes both public and private universities. Public universities are supported by the union government and state governments, while private universities are mostly supported by various bodies and societies. As of 2020, there were over 1000 universities in India, with 54 central universities, 416 state universities, 125 deemed universities, 361 state private universities, and 159 Institutes of National Importance.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is the main governing body for higher education in India. It enforces standards, advises the government, and helps coordinate between the center and the state. The UGC recognizes universities in India and oversees accreditation for higher learning through various autonomous institutions.

The majority of students in India are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs. Specifically, more than 85% of students are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs, with the majority pursuing three-year B.A., B.Com., or B.Sc. degrees. This means that out of the more than 20 million students enrolled in higher education in India, over 17 million are pursuing bachelor's degrees.

The large number of students enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in India can be attributed to several factors. One factor is the structure of the Indian education system, which places a strong emphasis on undergraduate education. Another factor is the increasing participation rate of students in higher education. The student participation rate, or gross enrollment ratio (GER), in higher education has been steadily increasing and currently stands at 28.4%. This indicates that a higher proportion of students are choosing to pursue tertiary education, with undergraduate programs being the most popular choice.

Additionally, the availability of a wide range of bachelor's degree programs in various fields of study also contributes to the high enrollment numbers. The largest broad subject area at the undergraduate level is Arts, followed by Science, Commerce, and Engineering & Technology. Indian universities offer a diverse range of programs that cater to different interests and career aspirations.

The high enrollment in bachelor's degree programs also reflects the changing demographics and aspirations of Indian society. With the country's growing population and increasing emphasis on education, more students are choosing to pursue higher education as a pathway to career advancement and improved job prospects.

The large number of students enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in India has significant implications for the country's education system and society as a whole. It highlights the importance of investing in and supporting undergraduate education to ensure that students receive a quality education and are well-prepared for their future endeavors. Additionally, the high enrollment numbers underscore the need for adequate infrastructure, qualified faculty, and resources to accommodate the growing number of students.

In conclusion, the fact that 85% of students in India are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs underscores the importance of undergraduate education in the country. This trend has far-reaching implications for India's social and economic development, and it remains to be seen how this will shape the future of higher education in India.

17 women-exclusive universities existed in 2022

India has a large and complex higher education system, with over 700 universities and more than 35,000 colleges enrolling over 20 million students. The majority of universities in India are state-run and state-funded public universities. In addition, there were about 1,168 universities in the country in the academic year 2022.

In 2022, India had 17 women-exclusive universities. These universities are situated across different states in India and offer a variety of courses. One source suggests there are approximately 18 women-exclusive universities in India. Below is a list of some of these universities:

• Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam - Andhra Pradesh
• Assam Women's University - Assam
• Indira Gandhi Delhi Technological University for Women - Delhi
• Miranda House, University of Delhi - Delhi
• Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya - Haryana
• Karnataka State Women's University - Karnataka
• SNDT Women's University - Pune
• Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women's University - Jaipur (Rajasthan)
• Banasthali University - Rajasthan
• Mody University - Rajasthan
• Avinashilingam University - Tamil Nadu
• Mother Teresa Women's University - Tamil Nadu
• Diamond Harbour Women's University - West Bengal

India's government aimed to increase international students five-fold

India has one of the largest higher education systems in the world, with over 35 million students, 800 universities, and 41,000 colleges. However, the number of foreign students studying in India is relatively low, with only about 45,000-50,000 international students, accounting for just 1% of the student population. Recognising the potential to increase this number, the Indian government launched the 'Study in India' initiative, aiming to attract 200,000 international students by 2023 and 500,000 by 2047. This initiative is supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

To achieve this ambitious goal, the Indian government has implemented several strategies. Firstly, they have expanded the number of higher education institutions, including the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). These institutes are known for their academic excellence and have a proven track record of producing quality students. By increasing the number of IITs to 23 and IIMs to 21, the government has significantly enhanced the capacity to enrol foreign students.

Another key strategy is the participation in education fairs in 30 countries, including Nepal, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Thailand. These fairs aim to promote Indian higher education and increase awareness about the world-class education offered in the country. Additionally, the 'Study in India' initiative offers full or partial scholarships to international students based on their academic scores. The government has also streamlined the visa process and implemented the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes India as a "study abroad destination".

The success of the initiative relies on the effective implementation of these strategies and the ability of Indian universities to develop an ecosystem that can accept and support foreign students. With its competitive advantages in terms of cost, education quality, and cultural experience, India is well-positioned to become a top study destination for international students.

Furthermore, Indian universities are excelling in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), data science, biotechnology, and electric vehicles. For instance, the IIT Madras is introducing a Bachelor of Technology in AI, while the IIT Delhi has improved its global ranking, moving up to the 150th position in the QS World University Rankings 2025. These developments showcase India's potential to become a global education hub and achieve its goal of increasing international students five-fold.

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