Examine the trends in access to higher education among SC, ST and OBC communities in India over the last decade, using recent survey data.

Q. Examine the trends in access to higher education among SC, ST and OBC communities in India over the last decade, using recent survey data. (15 marks, 250 words)

Access to higher education for marginalised communities is a key marker of social justice and inclusive growth. The All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24, released by the Ministry of Education, records a decade of steady widening of access for SC, ST and OBC groups, though gaps against the general Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) persist. [1]

Enrolment expansion (2014-15 to 2023-24) - SC enrolment rose to 69.72 lakh from 46.07 lakh — a 51.4% increase. [1] - ST enrolment rose to 28.83 lakh from 16.41 lakh — a 75.7% increase, the steepest among the three. [1] - OBC enrolment reached 1.80 crore from 1.13 crore — a 60.2% rise. [1]

GER trends and residual gaps - Overall GER climbed from 23.7 (2014-15) to 30 (2023-24). [1] - SC GER improved to 27.8 (from 18.9); ST GER to 22.8 (from 13.5). [1] - Both remain below the national GER of 30, showing the access gap has narrowed but not closed — the ST cohort still lags most. [1]

Cross-cutting gains - Rising female and STEM participation accompanies this expansion, reflecting reservation policy, scholarships and institutional growth (registered HEIs reached 64,756). [1]

Over the decade, affirmative-action measures have delivered demonstrable, faster-than-average enrolment growth for SC, ST and OBC students, advancing the constitutional promise of equality of opportunity (Articles 15(4), 46). Sustaining this — through better retention, quality and NEP 2020's 50% GER target by 2035 — must now convert widened access into equitable outcomes.

(~250 words)

Sources: 1. Union Ministry for Education Releases Reports of the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE): 2022-23 & 2023-24 — PIB — SC/ST/OBC enrolment growth, overall and category-wise GER trends, HEI count