This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Education's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3647, answered on August 11, 2025, regarding dropout rates of marginalized students in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). The Ministry clarifies that the concept of "dropout" is not applicable in higher education due to student mobility between courses and programs.
Instead, the response outlines government initiatives aimed at increasing access and equity in HEIs. These include financial assistance and scholarships such as the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Scheme, fee waivers/reductions for disadvantaged groups, promotion of study loans like the PM Vidyalakshmi scheme, establishment of more institutes, and student support systems (Counselling Cells, Grievance Redressal Mechanisms, and Remedial Coaching). Online and Digital Learning (ODL) initiatives like SWAYAM, the National Digital Library (NDL), and ePG Pathshala are also highlighted.
The response also references academic reforms undertaken in light of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, such as Multiple Entry and Exit Options, the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), and the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS).
To address equity and inclusion, the University Grants Commission (UGC) Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions Regulations, 2012, are applicable to all HEIs under its purview. These regulations mandate measures to protect students' interests irrespective of caste, creed, religion, language, ethnicity, gender, and disability. The regulations also provide for the establishment of Equal Opportunity Cells and the appointment of Anti-Discrimination Officers in each University, as well as the establishment of Counselling Centres with trained counselors.
HEIs have established various mechanisms, including SC/ST student cells, Equal Opportunity Cells, Student Grievance Cells/Committees, Student Social Clubs, and Liaison officers/Committees, to proactively address issues faced by SC/ST students. The UGC has also issued instructions to promote equity and fraternity amongst students.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: The government ministry responsible for education in India, formerly known as the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
IITs: Indian Institutes of Technology, premier engineering and technology institutes in India.
IIMs: Indian Institutes of Management, premier business schools in India.
Central Universities: Universities established or incorporated by an Act of Parliament in India.
OBC: Other Backward Classes, a collective term used by the Government of India to classify castes which are educationally or socially disadvantaged.
SC: Scheduled Castes, official term for historically disadvantaged groups in India.
ST: Scheduled Tribes, official term for historically disadvantaged indigenous groups in India.
Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM USP) Scheme: A financial assistance and scholarship scheme by the Government of India to promote higher education.
PM Vidyalakshmi scheme: A scheme to promote study loans for students in India.
NEP 2020: National Education Policy 2020, a comprehensive framework for education in India.
UGC Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions Regulations, 2012: Regulations by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to promote equity in higher education institutions in India.
University Grants Commission (UGC): A statutory body established by the Indian Union government to coordinate, determine and maintain standards of university education in India.
SWAYAM: Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds, an online learning platform by the Government of India.
National Digital Library (NDL): A digital library initiative by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
ePG Pathshala: An initiative of the MHRD (now Ministry of Education) under its National Mission on Education through ICT (NMEICT) being executed by the UGC.
Academic Bank of Credits (ABC): A digital repository that holds the academic credits earned by students from various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Choice Based Credit System (CBCS): A system of learning that allows students to choose courses from prescribed courses
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3647
ANSWERED ON- 11/08/2025
Dropout rate of Students in HEI
3647. Shri Sachithanantham R:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) the details of dropouts rate of marginalized students from IITs, IIMs and Central Universities and
other Higher Educational Institutions;
(b) the total number of OBC, SC and ST students dropped out from Higher Educational Institute
during 2024-2025;
(c) whether the Higher Educational Institutions are having Equal Opportunity Cells and SC/ST Cells,
Institute-wise; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (d): In the Higher Education sector, students have multiple options and they choose and migrate
from one course or programme to another, as such there is no concept of Drop Out in Higher
education. However, to increase Access in Higher Education, the Government has taken various steps
like Financial Assistance and Scholarships like Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-
USP) Scheme, fee waiver/reduction of disadvantaged groups, promote study loans like PM-
Vidyalakshmi scheme, establishment of more institutes, student support system like Establishment of
Counselling Cells, strengthening of Grievance Redressal Mechanism, providing Remedial Coaching,
initiatives under online and digital learning (ODL) like SWAYAM, National Digital Library (NDL)
and e-PG Pathshala. Further, in light of NEP 2020, a slew of initiatives for academic reforms have
been undertaken like Multiple Entry and Exit Options, Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), Choice
Based Credit System (CBCS) etc.
To address the issue of equity and inclusion in the education, Government has taken multipronged
approach and initiatives. UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations,
2012 have been notified, which is applicable to all the HEIs under its purview. It provides for HEIs to
take measures to safeguard the interests of the students without any prejudice to their caste, creed,
religion, language, ethnicity, gender and disability. The regulation provides for establishment of
Equal Opportunity Cell and appointment of Anti-Discrimination Officer in each University. It also
stipulates setting up of Counselling Centres with professionally trained counsellors to provide
services to students, research scholars and faculty including non-teaching staff.In order to proactively address any issues of SC / ST students, Institutes have set up mechanisms
such as SC / ST students’ cells, Equal Opportunity Cell, Student Grievance Cell, Student Grievance
Committee, Student Social Club, Liaison officers, Liaison Committee etc. Further, University Grants
Commission (UGC) has issued instructions from time to time for promoting equity and fraternity
amongst students.
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