New Delhi – The increase in enrolment of Muslim students in higher education is a positive trend, signalling growing interest in advanced studies. However, a notable gap exists between eligible Muslim students aged 18-23 and their actual enrolment numbers, indicating barriers to accessing higher education. The insights are drawn from the report ‘The State of Muslim Education in India: A Data-Driven Report’ by researcher Arun C. Mehta.
Based on Unified District Information on School Education (UDISE+) and All-India Survey on Higher Education data, the report highlights disparities in higher education access for Muslim students and suggests solutions to address the gap.
The report uses the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for Muslims in higher education, which has shown improvement over the years, increasing from 8.24 percent in 2016-17 to 8.91 percent in 2020-21. Despite reaching a high of 9.79 percent in 2019-20, there was a subsequent decline.
Despite positive trends, the GER for Muslim students remains significantly below the national average. Bridging this gap is crucial for fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities. Barriers, such as financial limitations, limited access to quality education, and societal influences, hinder Muslim students. The report suggests specific actions:
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