The most recent All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) for 2023–24 reveals that the Arts discipline remains the most popular choice among undergraduate students in India. Accounting for 32.1 per cent of total enrolment, Arts significantly outpaces other fields, reinforcing its appeal in the country’s higher education framework. In contrast, Science ranked second with 13.5 per cent, followed by Engineering and Technology at 12.9 per cent, and Commerce at 12 per cent.

Approximately 1.1 crore students are enrolled in Arts programmes, which is more than double the number of students pursuing Engineering and Technology courses. This statistic highlights the Arts’ dominant role in undergraduate education, even as governmental policies continue to steer focus towards science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Bachelor of Arts Maintains Its Popularity

The Bachelor of Arts (BA), including BA (Honours), remains the most sought-after undergraduate qualification in India. It constitutes 38.6 per cent of all undergraduate enrolments, translating to around 1.3 crore students. In comparison, the Bachelor of Science (BSc) accounts for 15.7 per cent, while Bachelor of Technology (BTech) and Bachelor of Engineering (BE) comprise 12.7 per cent and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) stands at 12 per cent.

This data indicates that, while there is substantial interest in technical and vocational education, traditional academic programmes like the BA continue to be the preferred route for millions, illustrating that interest in humanities remains robust.

The increasing enrolment figures suggest that the academic landscape in India accommodates diverse educational choices, with Arts sustaining its significance even as contemporary educational trends evolve.

Gender Disparities in Enrolment Across Disciplines

The AISHE report also uncovers marked gender disparities in various fields of study. Women constitute 53.9 per cent of undergraduate enrolments in Arts, making them the majority within this discipline. The Education sector displays an even higher proportion, with women representing 64.2 per cent of enrolment numbers.

Conversely, the Engineering and Technology fields remain predominantly male, with only 31.1 per cent of undergraduate students being women. This stark contrast highlights ongoing challenges in gender representation within certain areas of education, suggesting that efforts to encourage female participation in STEM disciplines require continued attention.

Postgraduate Enrolment Trends Reveal Popular Disciplines

At the postgraduate level, Social Science emerges as the leading discipline, accounting for 18.6 per cent of total enrolments, followed closely by Management at 18.2 per cent. The Science discipline represents 15.1 per cent of enrolment figures, while Commerce occupies 7.8 per cent.

Among postgraduate qualifications, the Master of Arts (MA) remains the most popular, constituting 39.5 per cent of all postgraduate students, equivalent to approximately 22.6 lakh individuals. The Master of Science (MSc) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) follow, accounting for 17.4 per cent and 16.9 per cent, respectively.

Gradual changes in student preferences have become evident, illustrating a diversification that accompanies sustained interest in traditional fields of study. The data from the AISHE 2023–24 offers insights into the evolving patterns in Indian higher education while highlighting the significance of both traditional and contemporary academic preferences among students.

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