By Vikas Sir, Founder & Senior Faculty – Cosmo Classes | 10 July 2026

Tamil Nadu recorded a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of 52.3% in higher education for the 2023-24 academic year, ranking first among all Indian states. This figure was released by the Union government in the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report for 2023-24, and it stands well above the national average of 30% for the same year.

Gross Enrollment Ratio is the number of students enrolled at a specific level of education expressed as a percentage of the population in the official age group for that level. For higher education in India, the GER is calculated for the 18 to 23 age group, which is the standard reference population for tertiary education. A high GER indicates broad access to and participation in higher education, and it is one of the most widely used indicators for comparing educational development across states and countries.

Tamil Nadu’s higher education GER has shown a consistent upward trend, rising from 47.0% in 2021-22 to 49.1% in 2022-23 and further to 52.3% in 2023-24. The state has maintained a GER above 47% for three consecutive academic years, placing it firmly among the leading states in student participation in higher education. A notable feature is that the female GER (53.1%) exceeded the male GER (51.6%) in 2023-24, and the state has recorded a higher female than male GER for three straight years, reflecting strong gender parity in access to higher education.

In absolute terms, 35.8 lakh out of 68.4 lakh youth aged 18 to 23 were enrolled in higher education in the state during 2023-24. Tamil Nadu also had 2,18,656 faculty members in higher education, accounting for 12.6% of India’s total teaching strength in the sector. The state is home to major institutions such as the University of Madras and Anna University. The AISHE, which is the Union government’s annual database on higher education, uses indicators such as GER, faculty strength and enrolment to enable state-wise comparison of access and participation.

Exam Facts

▶ Tamil Nadu topped India with a higher-education GER of 52.3% in 2023-24.

▶ The national average GER was 30% in 2023-24.

▶ AISHE = All India Survey on Higher Education.

▶ Higher-education GER in India is measured for the 18-23 age group.

▶ Tamil Nadu female GER (53.1%) exceeded male GER (51.6%) in 2023-24.

▶ Tamil Nadu had 2,18,656 faculty members - about 12.6% of India’s teaching strength.

▶ Major institutions: University of Madras and Anna University.

Practice Set (10 Questions)

Q1. Which state topped India in higher-education GER in 2023-24?
A. Kerala
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Karnataka
D. Maharashtra

Show Answer

Answer: B – Tamil Nadu.

Q2. Tamil Nadu higher-education GER in 2023-24 was:
A. 30%
B. 47%
C. 52.3%
D. 60%

Show Answer

Answer: C – 52.3%.

Q3. AISHE stands for:
A. All India Statistics on Higher Education
B. All India Survey on Higher Education
C. Annual Institutional Survey of Higher Education
D. All India School Higher Education

Show Answer

Answer: B – All India Survey on Higher Education.

Q4. Higher-education GER in India is calculated for which age group?
A. 6-14 years
B. 15-17 years
C. 18-23 years
D. 24-29 years

Show Answer

Answer: C – 18 to 23 years.

Q5. The national average higher-education GER in 2023-24 was about:
A. 20%
B. 30%
C. 40%
D. 52%

Show Answer

Answer: B – 30%.

Q6. Gross Enrollment Ratio measures:
A. Pass percentage
B. Enrolment as a % of the official age-group population
C. Dropout rate
D. Literacy rate

Show Answer

Answer: B – Enrolment as a percentage of the official age-group population.

Q7. In Tamil Nadu (2023-24), the female GER compared to male GER was:
A. Lower
B. Equal
C. Higher
D. Not available

Show Answer

Answer: C – Higher (53.1% vs 51.6%).

Q8. Tamil Nadu faculty strength was what share of India total teaching strength?
A. 5.2%
B. 12.6%
C. 20%
D. 30%

Show Answer

Answer: B – 12.6%.

Q9. Which of these is a major higher-education institution in Tamil Nadu?
A. Anna University
B. Jamia Millia Islamia
C. BHU
D. Osmania University

Show Answer

Answer: A – Anna University.

Q10. AISHE is released by:
A. NITI Aayog
B. The Union Ministry of Education
C. UGC alone
D. The state governments

Show Answer

Answer: B – The Union Ministry of Education.

UPSC / RPSC Relevance

  • UPSC Prelims: Current Affairs & Reports/Indices (AISHE, GER, education indicators).
  • UPSC Mains – GS Paper II: Social Justice & Governance - development and management of the education sector.
  • RPSC (RAS) Prelims & Mains: Reports & indices and social sector - education, human development and state comparisons.

UPSC Mains Descriptive Question

Q. "A high Gross Enrollment Ratio reflects wider access but not necessarily quality in higher education." Discuss with reference to AISHE data and India’s higher-education challenges. (250 words, 15 marks)

📲 Stay Updated with Daily Current Affairs & Exam Content

✅ Join Our WhatsApp Channel