Tamil Nadu ranks third in enrolment in higher education

Tamil Nadu has been ranked third in the country in the gross enrolment ratio as per the provisional survey on higher education (2012-13) of the Union human resource development ministry. Only Union territories of Chandigarh (51.3) and Puducherry (42.1) are ranked above the state, which has a GER score of 41. GER is calculated by dividing the number of college students in the 18-23 age group by the total population in that age group.

Experts say states and Union territories with a better GER in high and higher secondary levels and good college density will always rank high in enrolment in higher education.

Delhi was placed fourth with a score of 38.5 followed by Uttarakhand (33.1) and Manipur (30.3). Daman & Diu was at the bottom with 4.3. Other states and Union territories with poor GER include Dadra & Nagar Haveli  (6.3), Jharkhand (10.1), Bihar (11.2), Chhattisgarh and Lakshadweep (11.8) and Assam (12.8).

The national average is 21.1 (men 22.3 and women 19.8). The total enrolment in higher education has been estimated to be 2.96 crore (men 1.63 crore and women 1.33 crore). Women constitute 45% of the total enrolment.