Gender Inequality in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs: A Study in Some Selected Indian States

Abstract

India has been facing a remarkable gender inequality in all education sectors. This paper attempts to examine the gender disparity in higher education i.e., in Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) Program and the factors affecting it by taking 12 states in India over the period 2010-11 to 2021-22. The results of UG and PG level analysis shows that in case of UG, for 5 states, enrolment of male pupil is less than the female pupil. For the rest 7 states, the result is just opposite. For PG, GPI is greater than 1 for 9 States and less than 1 for the remaining 3 states. The gross enrolment for female is in better position than male in PG level compared to the UG level. More number of higher education institutions, increase in hostel capacity and rise in pupil-teacher ratio up to a limit can boost gender equality in higher education.