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Indiaโs higher education system has added nearly 3.65 lakh teachers over the past decade, taking the total teaching workforce from 13.68 lakh in 2013-14 to 17.32 lakh in 2023-24, according to an SBI Research report based on AISHE data. The increase amounts to a 27 per cent rise in teacher strength over the period.
The figures come ahead of World Teachersโ Day, observed globally on October 5 every year. In 2026, the day will mark the 60th anniversary of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers and will focus on protecting and advancing the status of the teaching profession. UNESCO has also highlighted teacher shortages, support and working conditions as key challenges facing education systems globally.
According to the SBI Research report, the number of teachers in higher education increased from 13,67,535 in 2013-14 to 17,32,294 in 2023-24. The share of female teachers also increased during the period, rising from 39 per cent to 45 per cent.
The representation of teachers from reserved social categories also increased. The share of SC teachers rose from 6.9% to 10%, while the share of ST teachers increased from 2% to 3%. The share of OBC teachers rose from 23.5% to 32% over the same period.
The growth in teacher numbers has accompanied a significant expansion of higher education. India had 1,289 universities, 48,246 colleges and 15,221 standalone institutions in 2023-24, taking the total number of higher education institutions to 64,756.
Indiaโs pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) in higher education, considering universities and colleges together in regular mode, stood at 23 in 2023-24, according to the report.
The report compares this with ratios of around 25:1 to 30:1 often seen in leading institutions in the US and Europe, depending on the programme of study. It therefore describes Indiaโs overall position as being at par with these international levels.
However, the national figure masks significant differences between states. Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Goa reported a PTR of 14, while Bihar recorded a much higher ratio of 57 and Jharkhand 48. Uttar Pradesh reported a PTR of 33. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education has cited 15:1 as an ideal PTR for higher education.
Despite the rise in the overall number of teachers, vacancies remain a significant concern in centrally funded higher education institutions.
The SBI Research report, citing parliamentary data, says 34 per cent of sanctioned teaching positions across central universities and centrally funded institutions were vacant. Of 41,351 sanctioned positions, 27,133 were filled while 14,042 remained vacant.
The vacancy rate was 33 per cent in central universities, 39 per cent in IITs, 54 per cent in IIITs, 29 per cent in NITs and 31 per cent in IIMs. IISERs had a comparatively lower vacancy rate of 7 per cent. At the position level, 56.2 per cent of professor posts were vacant.
The issue adds another dimension to this yearโs World Teachersโ Day focus. UNESCO says the world needs 44 million additional primary and secondary teachers by 2030 and has called for greater investment, recruitment, training and support for the profession.
As World Teachersโ Day puts the spotlight on the status and working conditions of educators, Indiaโs higher education data presents a mixed picture: teacher strength has expanded substantially over a decade, but uneven pupil-teacher ratios and a sizeable number of unfilled sanctioned posts remain part of the challenge.
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