149% vs 45%: Private universities leave government institutions behind
AISHE 2023-24 shows private universities in India expanded far faster than government institutions over the past decade. The data also shows government universities still educate most students even as private enrolment rises.
India's higher education sector has recorded a sharp rise in the number of private universities over the past decade from 2013-14 to 2023-24, with the growth outpacing government institutions by more than thrice, according to the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24 released by the Ministry of Education.
The survey shows that the number of private universities increased from 219 in 2013-14 to 546 in 2023-24, registering a growth of 149.3 per cent. During the same period, government universities rose from 504 to 733, an increase of 45.4 per cent.
Overall, the total number of universities in the country grew from 723 to 1,279, an increase of 76.9 per cent over the decade.
The expansion has also changed the geographical distribution of private universities. Rajasthan had the highest number of private universities in 2013-14 with 39 institutions, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Haryana.
GUJARAT LEADS PRIVATE UNIVERSITY GROWTH
A decade later, Gujarat emerged as the state with the highest number of private universities, increasing from 16 to 67 institutions. Rajasthan followed with 57, while Madhya Pradesh recorded 52, Uttar Pradesh 45, and Maharashtra 42 private universities.
Among all states, Gujarat recorded the highest increase in private universities, adding 51 institutions over the decade. Madhya Pradesh followed with an addition of 41 universities.
Government universities, however, continue to account for the majority of higher education institutions in several states. Uttar Pradesh remained the state with the highest number of government universities, increasing from 35 in 2013-14 to 58 in 2023-24.
Karnataka retained the second position, while West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh entered the top five during the period.
Despite the rapid expansion of private universities, government institutions continue to educate most university students in the country.
AISHE data shows that government universities enrolled 51.9 lakh students, accounting for 81.3 per cent of total university enrolment in 2013-14. By 2023-24, enrolment had increased to 73.9 lakh, although their share declined to 68.1 per cent.
Private universities recorded faster growth in student enrolment.
Their enrolment increased from 11.9 lakh students in 2013-14 to 34.6 lakh in 2023-24, registering a growth of 191.8 per cent. Their share of total university enrolment also rose from 18.6 per cent to 31.9 per cent during the same period.
The figures indicate that while government universities continue to educate more than two-thirds of university students, private institutions are steadily increasing their presence in the higher education sector.
The survey also recorded an improvement in higher education participation. India's Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for the 18–23 age group increased from 23.0 in 2013-14 to 30.0 in 2023-24, reflecting a rise in the number of young people entering higher education across the country.