**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Education's response to a parliamentary inquiry regarding the expansion of higher education in India. The response, dated July 28, 2025, addresses the growth of the higher education sector, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), and initiatives to attract foreign students.
Key data points include:
* The number of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) registered on the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) increased from 58,643 in 2021-22 to 60,380 in 2022-23.
* Student enrollment rose from 4.33 crore in 2021-22 to 4.46 crore in 2022-23.
* The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the National Level for 2022-23 is 29.5.
The government is actively promoting India as a preferred destination for international students through the "Study in India (SII)" Scheme. The SII program includes a dedicated portal, [https://studyinindia.gov.in](https://studyinindia.gov.in), launched on August 3, 2023, which serves as a centralized resource for information, admissions, and visa applications for foreign students. Registration on the SII portal is mandatory for all international students seeking admission to Indian HEIs, streamlining the visa process.
Key Entities Referenced
India: Country which is the subject of the policy regarding higher education.
Ministry of Education: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for education.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Ujjwal Raman Singh: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding expansion of higher education.
Sukanta Majumdar: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education.
All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE): An annual survey conducted by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, collecting data on various aspects of higher education in India.
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): A statistical measure used to determine the number of students enrolled in education at several different grade levels.
Study in India (SII) Scheme: A program initiative by the Government of India to attract foreign students to study in Indian Higher Educational Institutions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1270
ANSWERED ON-28/07/2025
EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
†1270. Shri Ujjwal Raman Singh:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the higher education sector has expanded rapidly in the recent past which has resulted in
rise in the number of coaching centers and students;
(b) the percentage of Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education during the year 2024-25;
(c) whether the Government proposes any special schemes to attract foreign students to study in the
country in view of the expansion of higher education sector; and
(d) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a): As per All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), 2022-23(Provisional), Higher Education
Institutions (HEIs) registered on AISHE have increased to 60,380 in 2022-23 from 58,643 in 2021-22
and student enrolment has increased to 4.46 crore in 2022-23 from 4.33 crore in 2021-22.
(b): As per latest AISHE, 2022-23(Provisional), Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at National Level is
29.5.
(c) & (d): Study in India (SII) Scheme aims to attract foreign students to study in the country. ‘Study
in India’ program is a flagship initiative to promote Indian education and making India as a preferred
destination, with the overall objective to increase the number of international students coming to study
in India. SII portal https://studyinindia.gov.in has been launched on 3rd August. 2023, as a dedicated
website that showcases the best of Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and is a one stop
solution for admission and visa applications for foreign students who wish to pursue their higher
education in Indian HEIs. It is mandatory for all international students seeking admission in Indian
HEIs to register on the SII portal. The portal provides a structured mechanism to facilitate foreign
students to meet their Visa obligations.
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