Muslim representation in India’s higher education declines to 4.87pc

India recorded a total of 43,268,181 students enrolled in higher education during 2021-22, with 2,108,033 Muslim students making up only 4.87 percent of the total enrolment.

This marks a decline from the previous years when the enrolment stood at 5.24 percent in 2019 and 5.5 percent in 2020, before falling to 4.6 percent in 2021. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) across the country averages at 24.1, reflecting moderate access to higher education.

Indian illegally occupied Jammu Kashmir stands out for its higher participation rates in higher education, likely due to its Muslim-majority population. Out of 400,423 total students, 138,142 are Muslims, constituting 34.5 percent of the total enrollment. This reflects the region’s significant Muslim representation in higher education institutions. With a GER of 24.8, the region showcases moderate participation levels.

The AISHE Report 2021-22 (Provisional) underscores disparities in Muslim representation across states and Union Territories. For instance, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a total enrollment of 11,427 students, with only 609 Muslims, comprising a mere 5.33 percent. The GER here stands at 22.6.