Higher Education and the Largest Impoverished and Marginalized Group of the Indian Population: Reviewing Enrolment and Access to Higher Education among Tribals in India

Abstract

Higher education has been found to have a significant relationship with the Human Development Index and also the Gender Development Index. Its significance is especially apparent in the largest impoverished and marginalized group of the Indian population, Tribals. Tribals constitute the second largest social group in India and account for approximately 8% (equivalent to 85 million people) of the total population. Access to higher education in the Tribal population as reflected by the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) is an issue of concern as it falls behind the rest of the population even when compared with other deprived groups. Additionally, the GER of female Tribals falls behind that of their male counterparts. These factors reflect the inequality persisting among Tribals within Indian society. The present paper provides and analyses the current GER of Tribals in India and across states as well as taking a more detailed look at the enrolment of Tribals across various faculties in higher education.