How Have Reserved-Quota Students Come to Dominate Indian Higher Education Enrollment?
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Synopsis
A transformative study reveals that over the past decade, the enrolment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in Indian higher education has surged dramatically, challenging popular narratives of upper-caste predominance. This evolving landscape calls for a reevaluation of policies surrounding caste representation.
Key Takeaways
- SC, ST, and OBC students now dominate Indian higher education enrolment.
- Enrolment from these groups increased from 43.1% to 60.8% in a decade.
- General Category students are facing declining enrolment.
- The need for data-driven policy evaluation is emphasized.
- This shift challenges long-held beliefs about caste dynamics in education.
New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) A recent examination of India’s higher education sector indicates a significant transformation in caste-based enrolment trends within the last decade. Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) now constitute the vast majority of students in universities and colleges throughout the nation.
The analysis, derived from 13 years of data from the All-India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE), contradicts the common narrative of “upper-caste dominance” prevalent in discussions about education.
This research, led by the Centre for Development Policy and Management (CDPM) at IIM Udaipur, evaluated census-level AISHE reports from 2010–11 to 2022–23, encompassing 60,380 institutions and 43.8 million students.
The team, comprising Prof. Venkatramanan Krishnamurthy, Thiyagarajan Jayaraman, and Prof. Dina Banerjee, describes this dataset as among the most thorough investigations of caste representation in Indian higher education to date.
“This report dispels many prevalent myths regarding the social composition of students in Indian higher education,” stated Prof. Krishnamurthy. “In stark contrast to the dominant narrative, students from SC, ST, and OBC backgrounds overwhelmingly surpass the enrolment numbers of General Category students.”
The data reveals that the collective share of SC, ST, and OBC enrolment surged from 43.1% in 2010–11 to 60.8% in 2022–23. In 2023, enrolment from these categories exceeded that of General Category students by 9.5 million. Concurrently, the General Category's enrolment share declined from 57% in 2011 to approximately 39% in 2023, even accounting for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) students.
American sociologist Dr. Salvatore Babones praised the AISHE findings, asserting that “This paper presents crucial data regarding access to higher education categorized by caste. It should be essential reading for all engaged in India’s caste reservation discussions.”
Former Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, referenced in the report, emphasized the necessity of extending the creamy-layer principle to SC and ST categories: “If benefits repeatedly favor the same families, a class within a class emerges. Reservation must reach those who genuinely require it.”
Co-author Thiyagarajan reiterated this concern, stating: “AISHE data indicates that the availability of opportunities for SC, ST, and OBC students in higher education is now above average. The focus should shift to ensuring that opportunities are not monopolized by the creamy layer among them.”
CasteFiles’ analysis of the same dataset highlighted that SC/ST/OBC students account for 62.2% of enrolment in government institutions and 60% in private institutions, showcasing that this demographic shift is pervasive across various states and disciplines.
The report also notes a year-on-year decrease in absolute enrolment for General Category students who increasingly encounter competition from SC/ST/OBC students vying for general (non-quota) seats based on merit.
Calling attention to the necessity for data-driven policy evaluation, Prof. Banerjee remarked, “This analysis underscores the critical need for an evidence-based approach to equity and an urgent re-evaluation of policy frameworks in light of these emerging realities.”
Dr. Babones added, “Social policy must be guided by data to be both effective and efficient.”
The study, published by IIM Udaipur’s CDPM, is accessible for researchers, journalists, and policymakers aiming to comprehend long-term structural transformations within India’s higher education ecosystem.
Point of View
It is crucial to acknowledge this significant shift in India's higher education landscape. The overwhelming representation of reserved-quota students invites a necessary dialogue on equity and access, urging policymakers to adapt to these new realities while ensuring that opportunities are equitably distributed among all strata of society.
NationPress
03/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the new study reveal about caste enrolment in Indian higher education?
The study reveals that Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) now comprise the majority of students in Indian higher education, surpassing General Category enrolment.
How has the enrolment percentage changed over the last decade?
The combined enrolment share of SC/ST/OBC students increased from 43.1% in 2010-11 to 60.8% in 2022-23.
What impact does this shift have on General Category students?
General Category students have seen a decline in enrolment, facing increased competition from SC/ST/OBC students entering non-quota seats based on merit.
What is the significance of this research?
This research challenges the prevailing narrative of upper-caste dominance in education and underlines the need for policy reevaluation regarding caste representation.
Who conducted this study?
The study was conducted by the Centre for Development Policy and Management (CDPM) at IIM Udaipur.
