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

 

Introduction

 

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.

 

Data

 

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

 

Findings

 

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.