Jharkhand Girls Outnumber Boys in Higher Education Enrollment

In a groundbreaking achievement, Jharkhand has seen female students surpass male students in higher education enrollment, according to the latest survey by the Ministry of Education. With approximately 4.7 lakh girls enrolled compared to 4.5 lakh boys, this trend highlights a significant shift in educational access and attitudes towards women's education in the state. The report reveals that the increase in female enrollment has been notably faster than that of their male counterparts over the past five years. Jharkhand now ranks among the top 10 states in India for female higher education enrollment, showcasing a promising future for girls in the region. Read on to discover more about this inspiring development.

By Ambika Singh Sep 1, 2026, 12:49 IST

Significant Achievement in Higher Education

Ranchi: The daughters of Jharkhand have made a remarkable achievement in the realm of higher education. According to the All India Higher Education Survey 2023-24 report released by the Ministry of Education, the number of female students enrolled in higher education in Jharkhand has surpassed that of male students. This places Jharkhand among the top 10 states in India where more girls are pursuing higher education compared to boys.

Enrollment Statistics

The report indicates that during the survey period, approximately 4.5 lakh students were enrolled in higher education in Jharkhand, while the number of female students reached around 4.7 lakh. This means that there are about 20,000 more girls than boys pursuing higher education in the state. This achievement is particularly significant as it reflects a changing mindset towards education and the increasing accessibility for female students in the region.

Enrollment Breakdown

How Many Students Enrolled?

At both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the enrollment of female students has exceeded that of male students. However, at higher education levels such as PhD, the number of male students still surpasses that of female students. The overall enrollment figures show that the majority of students are at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, leading to a higher total enrollment of girls compared to boys.

Rapid Growth in Female Enrollment

Significant Increase Over Five Years

The report highlights that over the past five years, there has been an increase of about 22,000 in male student enrollment at the undergraduate level, while female enrollment has surged by approximately 40,000. This indicates that the pace at which girls are accessing higher education has been significantly faster than that of boys during this period.

There has also been a notable rise in female enrollment at the PhD level. According to the report, male enrollment increased by less than 400, whereas female enrollment saw an increase of around 900.

Jharkhand Among the Top 10 States

Leading in Female Enrollment

Jharkhand ranks among the top 10 states in terms of female enrollment in higher education. In Bihar, for instance, there are 14 lakh girls enrolled compared to 13.6 lakh boys. Similarly, West Bengal has 12.5 lakh girls against 12 lakh boys, while Telangana has 9.1 lakh girls compared to 8.7 lakh boys, and Kerala has 7.4 lakh girls against 5.4 lakh boys.

States like Haryana, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, and Assam also feature in the list where female enrollment exceeds that of males. With 4.7 lakh girls compared to 4.5 lakh boys, Jharkhand secures a notable position in this ranking.