NITI Aayog flags Bengal’s higher education crisis, low enrollment, and poor funding

West Bengal’s higher education sector faces significant challenges, as revealed in NITI Aayog’s latest report, "Expanding Quality Higher Education Through States and State Public Universities." The report highlights that the state’s Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in 2021-22 stood at 26.3%, ranking 18th in the country. While this marks an improvement from 13.6% in 2011-12, the growth rate remains slow compared to other states.

The report also raises concerns over low public spending on higher education. West Bengal allocates just 0.43% of its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to higher education—one of the lowest in India. In contrast, smaller northeastern states allocate around 1% of their GSDP. This low investment impacts infrastructure, faculty recruitment, and academic development, affecting the overall quality of education in the state.

Despite financial constraints, West Bengal has a strong public university system, with over 80% of students enrolled in government-run institutions. This indicates high dependence on state-funded universities. However, the student-teacher ratio remains a concern, standing at 29:1 in 2021-22, placing the state at 23rd position nationally. Though this has improved from 33:1 in 2011-12, it still falls short of the recommended standards.

Additionally, NITI Aayog’s "Financial Health Index: 2025" ranked West Bengal 16th among 18 states in fiscal performance. The report assessed revenue mobilization, expenditure quality, and debt index for 2022-23, highlighting concerns over the state’s high debt burden and low revenue generation. This raises questions about the state’s ability to improve funding for key sectors, including education.

Experts suggest that improved financial planning and increased investment in higher education could help address these issues. The findings indicate that without substantial policy intervention, West Bengal’s higher education sector may continue to struggle with low enrollment, insufficient faculty, and inadequate funding.