New Delhi: In a recent report released by NITI Aayog on February 10, 2025, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Kerala have been recognized as top-performing “achiever” states in terms of Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education institutions for the academic year 2021-22. This recognition highlights the remarkable progress these states have achieved in expanding access to higher education.
The Economic Survey 2024-25, presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on January 31, 2025, indicated a nationwide increase in GER from 23.7% in 2014-15 to 28.4% in 2021-22. This upward trend signifies India’s continuous commitment to strengthening higher education accessibility.
However, significant disparities remain among states. For instance, Gujarat has been identified as lagging in quality education, with a GER of 48.2% in higher secondary classes, compared to Kerala’s 85% and Tamil Nadu’s 81%. This underscores the need for targeted interventions to close the educational gap.
Tamil Nadu and Kerala have successfully implemented policies and initiatives that have driven higher GERs, serving as benchmarks for other states striving to strengthen their educational frameworks. The NITI Aayog report emphasizes the importance of state-level initiatives in boosting higher education enrolment and highlights the impact of well-structured policies in achieving long-term educational goals.
In conclusion, while the national GER has shown commendable growth, the performance of individual states varies significantly. The success stories of these top-performing states provide valuable insights into effective strategies for enhancing higher education access and quality nationwide.
