Karnataka boasts the highest college density in India, with 66 colleges per one lakh eligible population (18-23 years old), more than double the national average of 30, according to recent data from NITI Aayog. In contrast, states like Manipur, Bihar, and Jharkhand rank at the bottom of the pyramid.
The state also excels in pupil-teacher ratio (PTR), maintaining an impressive ratio of 15 compared to the national average of 23. Tamil Nadu leads with a ratio of 14, while it also tops the gross enrollment ratio (GER) chart with 47, well above the national average of 28.4. Karnataka, along with states like Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, showcases a GER significantly above the national average.
NITI Aayog’s policy report emphasizes the need to expand quality higher education through state public universities (SPUs). CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam highlighted that these institutions educate over 80% of the nation’s students and are central to the government’s goal of doubling enrollment to over 9 crore by 2047. Improving the quality and scale of state universities is crucial to fostering a skilled workforce that will support India’s ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
However, the report also points out that some states, including Bihar and Jharkhand, face challenges such as worsening pupil-teacher ratios due to an imbalance between student enrollment and teacher recruitment. It underscores the importance of targeted policies to recruit and train educators, especially in these underperforming states.