Women’s Participation in Higher Education in India: An Analysis Across Major States

Abstract

Women’s participation in higher education is an important pathway towards gender equality in economy and society. This article examines their participation levels in higher education across major Indian states and explores the underlying factors in the disparity between states. It employs two indicators, namely, Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of Females and Gender Parity Index (GPI) to measure the absolute and relative participation of women in the higher education, from 2011 to 2019. The comparative statistical analysis of these parameters for the 16 major states shows that they perform poorly in postgraduation and technical education courses. However, they are better placed in GPI at undergraduation level. Further, they appear to be moving towards gender parity with recent increases in enrolment of girls in higher education. On the basis of fixed-effect panel data regression, it is found that significant share of female teachers, higher per capita state domestic product (a proxy for per-capita income) and availability of colleges and girls’ hostels are playing important roles to contributing to the GER of females and GPI in higher education in India.