AISHE is an annual report published by the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry to understand the developments in higher education and indicates the closing gender gap in this field.

Highlights:

• Haryana, for the first time, has more female students pursuing higher education than male.
• Haryana has 9.28 lakh students pursuing higher education—diploma, graduation, postgraduation, PG diploma, MPhil and PhD courses. Out of them 4.71 lakh are female (50.77 per cent) and 4.57 lakh male (49.23 per cent). The figure includes both regular and distance education courses.
• The state has 48 universities, 1,038 colleges. There are 33 colleges per lakh population (18-23 age group) in Haryana, while Himachal has 47 and Punjab 34. The national average is 28.

Analysis: For the first time, the state has more women students pursuing higher education than men. Though a developed state, the social parameters in Haryana did not match its economic development with factors like female foeticide, crime against women and the dominance of khap panchayats indicating a position of subjugation for women. The AISHE report is an indication that the political leadership of the state is willing to confront social issues exemplified perhaps in the slogan ‘Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao’. Education for girls is important. It empowers them, gives them control over their life and helps in improving its quality. Educated womenfolk mean a better understanding of what is good for them by raising their age of marriage and in checking the population boom. It has a bearing on their health, hygiene and sanitation. Awareness can also help in reducing crime against women.