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Research Paper | Social Science | India | Volume 12 Issue 1, January 2023

Reviewing the Indian Higher Education System: A Gender Specific Perspective

Dr. Rajrupa Mitra

Abstract: The gender dimension of education is extremely important since education is a pre - requisite for all kinds of economic activities and acts as a catalyst in gender sensitization and women empowerment. Higher education, in particular, has been visualized as an effective tool of women empowerment because it opens up new vistas of economic and social opportunities for them. However, gender bias is a major cause of deprivation of women regarding access to education. Economic exclusion of women is another acute problem which tends to have spill - over effects in other aspects of life as well. Quite obviously, this trend is of much concern. In this context, education might be the only guiding force which can inculcate the necessary awareness amongst the victimized and vulnerable women and usher in women empowerment. Unfortunately, gender disparity is quite predominant in India?s higher education system which is evident through lower enrolment figures. This paper makes an attempt to assess the Indian higher education system from the perspective of gender. It appears that in spite of higher out - turns and pass percentages, employability of Indian women in the higher education sector is quite limited. Equality of opportunity and enhanced access to quality education for women is necessary to reap the advantages of demographic dividend in the context of a growing economy like India.

Keywords: Enrolment, Gender, GER, Higher Education, Gender Parity

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 1, January 2023,

Pages: 617 - 620