Understanding Dropout Trends in Indian Institutes from 2019 to 2023

“Understanding Dropout Trends in Indian Institutes from 2019 to 2023”

By: KHRITISH SWARGIARY

Email: khritish@teachers.org

The issue of students dropping out of higher education institutions is a significant concern within our education system. It reflects challenges that students may face during their academic journey, which could be due to various reasons such as academic difficulties, financial constraints, lack of support systems, or personal issues. Understanding the extent and nature of dropout rates is crucial as it not only impacts individual students but also reflects on the effectiveness and inclusivity of our educational institutions.

In this context, analysing data becomes imperative to gain insights into the trends and patterns of student dropouts. The data derived from Rajya Sabha Session 260, particularly Unstarred Question No. 657, offers a valuable resource to delve into this issue. By examining the number of students who have left their academic programs across different institutes from 2019 to 2023, we can uncover key factors contributing to dropout rates and identify areas that require attention and intervention.

Through this analysis, we aim to highlight the challenges faced by students in continuing their education and suggest strategies to mitigate dropout rates. By addressing these challenges proactively, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment that fosters student retention and success in Indian higher education institutions.

The data used for this analysis is sourced from the Rajya Sabha Session 260, Unstarred Question No. 657, answered on 26th July 2023. The data covers dropout statistics from different categories such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and minorities across several prestigious institutes including IITs, IIMs, NITs, IIITs, SPAs, IISERs, and Central Universities (CUs).

The table below summarizes the number of students who dropped out each year from 2019 to 2023 across various categories and institutes.

Sl. No. Institutes/ HEIs Category Number of students who dropout - 2019 Number of students who dropout - 2020 Number of students who dropout - 2021 Number of students who dropout - 2022 Number of students who dropout - 2023

1 IITs Total 1510 2152 2411 1746 320

2 IITs SC 186 287 318 229 48

3 IITs ST 85 104 106 98 15

4 IITs OBC 391 527 640 428 80

5 IITs Minority 16 13 20 14 0

6 IIMs Total 107 225 224 203 99

7 IIMs SC 23 59 52 35 19

8 IIMs ST 16 28 16 24 7

9 IIMs OBC 21 41 49 32 20

10 IIMs Minority 1 6 2 1 1

11 NITs Total 1292 1467 1467 1270 127

12 NITs SC 243 193 217 202 20

13 NITs ST 148 113 114 101 10

14 NITs OBC 324 335 321 309 40

15 NITs Minority 222 101 104 50 8

16 M/o Law & Justice Total 0 0 0 0 0

17 IIITs Total 177 288 187 117 34

18 IIITs SC 35 45 25 13 6

19 IIITs ST 27 33 15 16 7

20 IIITs OBC 39 64 30 21 7

21 IIITs Minority 4 5 2 2 0

22 SPAs Total 13 12 15 16 0

23 SPAs SC 2 0 3 0 0

24 SPAs ST 1 0 1 0 0

25 SPAs OBC 6 4 3 8 0

26 SPAs Minority 0 0 0 0 0

27 IISERs Total 219 244 356 203 24

28 IISERs SC 33 40 37 27 2

29 IISERs ST 20 21 16 10 3

30 IISERs OBC 52 60 94 56 4

31 IISERs Minority 10 14 15 23 2

32 CUs Total 4926 5410 4156 2962 0

33 CUs SC 674 796 555 399 0

34 CUs ST 780 768 657 417 0

35 CUs OBC 1212 1468 1131 785 0

36 CUs Minority 0 0 0 0 0

After analysing the data on student dropouts from various Indian institutes between 2019 and 2023, several important trends and insights have emerged.

1. Overall Dropout Trends: There have been ups and downs in dropout numbers over the years. 

Notably, in 2023, there was a big decrease in dropouts compared to previous years. This suggests that efforts to keep students in school may be working better.

2. Differences Between Institutes:

• IITs: These saw a big drop in dropouts in 2023, showing improvement.

• IIMs: They also had fewer dropouts in 2023, which is a good sign.

• NITs: While they had less of a drop than other institutes, they still show a stable trend in keeping students in school.

3. Breakdown by Categories:

• SC and ST Students: These groups, which have historically faced challenges, showed mixed dropout rates but seem to be improving in recent years.

• OBC Students: Their dropout rates varied, indicating the need for continued support.

• Minority Groups: Although they had fewer dropouts overall, their retention efforts should still be monitored closely.

4. Recommendations:

• Learn from Success: Institutions should study what's working well to reduce dropouts and apply those strategies more broadly.

• Tailored Support: Providing specific help to groups like SC, ST, OBC, and minorities can make a big difference in keeping them in school.

• Keep Monitoring: Regularly checking dropout rates helps spot trends and adjust strategies as needed.

While there have been improvements in dropout rates, ongoing efforts and targeted support are crucial for ensuring all students have the opportunity to succeed in their education.

Suggestions

• Early Intervention Programs: Institutes should implement early intervention programs to identify and support at-risk students.

• Diversity and Inclusion: Efforts should be made to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for students from marginalized communities.

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation of dropout trends can help in developing effective strategies to reduce dropout rates.

Conclusion

Understanding the dropout trends in Indian institutes from 2019 to 2023 provides valuable insights into the challenges students face and the areas where improvements are needed. By addressing these challenges through targeted interventions and creating a supportive learning environment, we can work towards reducing dropout rates and ensuring a more inclusive and successful higher education system in India.