13-Feb-2025
Expenditure on Higher Education
Miscellaneous
Why in News?
The NITI Aayog released a report titled ‘Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities’.
- It is a first-of-its kind policy document in the higher education sector focused specifically on States and State Public Universities (SPUs).
Key Findings
- Education Expenditure
- Total Education Spending: Jammu & Kashmir spends the most on education (8.11%), followed by Manipur (7.25%). In contrast, Delhi allocates the least (1.67%).
- Higher Education Spending: Bihar leads with 1.56%, followed by Jammu & Kashmir (1.53%) and Manipur (1.45%). Telangana spends the least on higher education, at just 0.18%.
- Per Youth Education Spending: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana invest the most in higher education per young person. However, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Chhattisgarh spend comparatively less.
- University Density: The national average number of universities per 1 lakh eligible youth (18-23 years) is 0.8.
- Sikkim has the highest university density (10.3), followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh. Bihar has the lowest university density (0.2).
- Gender Parity: Kerala, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh have higher female enrolment, while Chandigarh, Mizoram, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands maintain a balanced gender ratio in higher education.
- Sikkim has the highest university density (10.3), followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh. Bihar has the lowest university density (0.2).