AISHE Report 2021-22: Trends in Higher Education Graduates

The recently released All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22 by the Union Education Ministry sheds light on significant trends in graduation across various disciplines. Here's a comprehensive overview of the report's key findings.

In the academic year 2021-22, a notable surge in the total number of graduates was recorded, reaching 1.07 crore, a significant increase from the 95.4 lakh graduates in 2020-21. This upswing is indicative of the robust growth in higher education across the country.

**Undergraduate Landscape: Arts Dominates**

At the undergraduate level, Arts emerged as the dominant discipline, witnessing the highest number of graduates. A staggering 24.16 lakh students graduated from BA courses, reflecting the enduring popularity of arts education. Interestingly, 54% of these graduates were females, underscoring the increasing representation of women in this field.

Science emerged as the second most pursued discipline at the undergraduate level, with 11.97 lakh graduates. Strikingly, 53.8% of these graduates were female students, indicating a positive trend towards gender inclusivity in science education.

The top five streams at the undergraduate level were Arts (31.16%), Science (15.44%), Commerce (14.54%), Engineering and Technology (10.70%), and Education (9.08%). These numbers highlight the diverse academic interests of students at this crucial stage of their education journey.

**Post-Graduate Insights: Social Science Takes the Lead**

Moving to the post-graduate level, Social Science emerged as the discipline with the highest out-turn, witnessing 3.87 lakh graduates. Notably, 58.5% of these graduates were female students, showcasing the growing presence of women in social science research and academia.

Science secured the second spot at the post-graduate level, with 2.61 lakh graduates and an impressive 62.6% female representation. Management, Commerce, and Indian Language rounded off the top five disciplines, each contributing significantly to the post-graduate landscape.

**Doctoral Achievements: Science and Engineering Lead the Way**

At the Ph.D. level, Science stood out with the highest out-turn, producing 7,408 graduates. Engineering and Technology closely followed, with 6,270 graduates. The report also highlighted the diverse nature of doctoral studies, with Social Science, Medical Science, and Indian Language securing their places among the top disciplines.