Chennai, July 10:
Tamil Nadu has emerged as the leading state in India in terms of the number of higher education teachers, according to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24 report released by the Central Government.
The report reveals that Tamil Nadu has a total of 2,18,656 faculty members, accounting for 12.6% of the country’s total higher education teaching workforce. The state continues to hold the top position, surpassing Uttar Pradesh (12.1%) and Maharashtra (10.8%).
At the national level, the number of teachers in higher education institutions increased from 16,64,172 in 2022-23 to 17,32,294 in 2023-24. This marks a rise of 68,122 teachers, reflecting a growth rate of 4.1%.
Tamil Nadu also recorded steady growth in its academic workforce, adding 3,429 teachers over the past year. The number of faculty members rose from 2,15,227 in 2022-23 to 2,18,656 in 2023-24. This growth is attributed to the continuous expansion of colleges and universities across the state and its sustained focus on strengthening higher education.
The state’s performance is further supported by its impressive Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of 52.3%, which is significantly higher than the national average of 28%, indicating strong access to higher education.
The AISHE report also sheds light on the social composition of faculty members. Nationally, 55% of teachers belong to the General category, followed by 32% from Other Backward Classes (OBC), 10% from Scheduled Castes (SC), and 3% from Scheduled Tribes (ST). In Tamil Nadu, a significant 1,53,612 faculty members belong to the OBC category, highlighting strong representation of backward communities in the academic sector.
In terms of gender distribution, the national higher education workforce comprises 55.1% men and 44.9% women.
The survey also highlights minority representation, noting that India has 99,520 Muslim teachers (5.7%) and 1,47,115 teachers from other minority communities (8.5%). While Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka have the highest number of Muslim faculty members, Tamil Nadu leads in faculty from other minority communities, contributing 19% of the national total. It is followed by Punjab (16.2%) and Kerala (13.7%).
The latest AISHE findings underline the continued expansion of India’s higher education sector, with Tamil Nadu maintaining a leadership position through consistent faculty growth, strong enrolment rates, and inclusive social representation. The state’s performance reinforces its status as one of India’s key hubs for higher education and academic employment.