Kerala: Redefining Higher Education with Innovation, Inclusivity, and Investment

Kerala has once again reaffirmed its leadership in higher education, achieving a remarkable milestone by becoming the highest spender on higher education per youth in India. This distinction was highlighted in the NITI Aayog’s report, Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities. Kerala’s dedication to higher education is evident in its allocation of 15.29% of its total education budget to this sector.

In comparison, while the national average stands at just 0.4% of GDP spent on higher education, Kerala invests approximately 0.53% of its GDP. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana remain leading states in terms of per-youth spending on higher education, while states like Rajasthan, Punjab, and Chhattisgarh lag behind.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has played a major role in driving these achievements. Under its leadership, Kerala has pioneered innovative digital learning initiatives, setting a benchmark that no other state has been able to replicate. Kerala also boasts remarkable college density, with a high number of colleges relative to its youth population. Nationally, the average college density was 30 per 100,000 youth in 2022, while Kerala ranked fifth with 46.

Despite India’s progress in improving the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), the report highlights that this advancement is not uniform across all states. Tamil Nadu leads the country with a GER of 47%, while Kerala follows closely with 41.3%—more than double the national average of 28.4%.

The report also notes that while states like Meghalaya and Ladakh have high university densities, their GERs remain below the national average. In contrast, states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, which have moderate university densities, demonstrate higher GERs. This finding underscores that simply increasing the number of universities does not necessarily lead to higher student enrolment. Instead, better utilization of resources and capacity is essential.

Females Leading the Way in Education

Kerala stands out for its higher female enrolment rates compared to males, serving as a model for improved access to higher education for women. Out of the 1.3 million students enrolled in higher education in Kerala, 750,000 are women. States like Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh also fall into this category.

Smaller states and Union Territories, such as Chandigarh, Mizoram, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, have balanced male-to-female enrolment figures, with only minor differences. However, in states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, male enrolment rates exceed female enrolment. This highlights the need for targeted policies to encourage female participation in higher education, tailored to the specific needs of these states.

The report further reveals that Kerala has the highest Gender Parity Index (GPI) of 1.44, reflecting a strong gender balance with a higher proportion of female students compared to males. Among Union Territories, Lakshadweep stands out with an exceptionally high GPI of 6.33, indicating remarkable female representation in higher education. In contrast, states like Odisha and Tripura have the lowest GPIs, at 0.88 and 0.89 respectively, pointing to the need for focused initiatives to enhance female participation.

Kerala also leads the nation in female student enrolment in state public universities. Alongside states like Telangana, Haryana, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, Kerala demonstrates high female enrolment rates. In contrast, significant gender disparities favoring male enrollment are observed in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, and Andhra Pradesh.

Quality of Education in Southern States

According to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), southern states have consistently ensured the quality of education in State Public Universities (SPUs). Kerala, along with Karnataka, has made notable progress in SPU performance over the past decade. On the other hand, the share of SPUs from states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, and West Bengal has declined, with Haryana and Rajasthan seeing significant reductions in their share.

Kerala’s Digital Learning Initiatives Applauded

Kerala’s Let’s Go Digital initiative has received special mention in NITI Aayog’s report as a model for good practice. The state has set new standards in integrating technology with education, ensuring that higher education remains accessible and future-ready. Launched in 2021, the Let’s Go Digital program focuses on leveraging digital learning through ICT-based teaching methods. The initiative includes Moodle-based LMS training for faculty and providing digital course content to students, aimed at bridging the digital divide.

The Kerala State Higher Education Council, in collaboration with the Digital University of Kerala, offers training in model-based development and content creation. Additionally, the Digicol project has provided customised syllabus to colleges, further promoting a tech-driven pedagogical approach.

Kerala continues to lead the nation in higher education by not only investing in infrastructure but also fostering gender equality, digital learning, and quality education across the state. This commitment positions Kerala as a trailblazer in India’s educational landscape.