Education – Bengaluru Urban Leads India With Highest Number of Colleges in AISHE Report
Education – Bengaluru Urban has secured the top position among Indian districts for the highest number of colleges, reinforcing Karnataka’s growing reputation as a leading destination for higher education.
Bengaluru Urban Tops National College Rankings
Bengaluru Urban has emerged as the district with the largest network of higher education institutions in the country, according to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023-24 released by the Union Ministry of Higher Education. The district is home to 1,148 colleges, placing it well ahead of every other district in India.
Jaipur ranked second with 742 colleges, while Pune occupied the third position with 517 institutions. Hyderabad followed with 465 colleges, ahead of Prayagraj with 408 and Nagpur with 354. The findings underline Bengaluru Urban’s long-standing role as one of India’s most significant centres for higher education and professional learning.
Karnataka Records Highest College Density
Beyond the number of institutions, Karnataka also secured the leading position in college density, a measure based on the number of colleges available for every lakh people in the eligible age group of 18 to 23 years.
The AISHE report noted that the national median college density stands at 32, while Karnataka achieved an impressive score of 69. Telangana ranked next with a density of 56. Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh shared a score of 51 each, followed by Kerala at 50, Rajasthan at 47 and Tamil Nadu at 43.
The figures indicate that students in Karnataka have wider access to higher education institutions compared with most other parts of the country.
State Emerges as Preferred Destination for International Students
The report also highlighted Karnataka’s strong performance in attracting students from overseas. During the 2023-24 academic session, colleges and universities across the state enrolled 7,914 international students, the highest among all Indian states.
Punjab closely followed with 7,902 foreign student admissions, making the competition for the top position particularly close. The numbers reflect Karnataka’s increasing global appeal, supported by its diverse educational ecosystem and broad range of academic programmes.
According to the survey, the international student population included 4,735 male students and 3,179 female students. Certificate courses enrolled 10 students, equally divided between male and female candidates. Integrated programmes recorded 47 international admissions, comprising nine male and 38 female students.
Government Highlights Academic Strength
Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara welcomed the survey findings and described the achievement as recognition of Karnataka’s sustained investment in higher education infrastructure.
In a message shared on the social media platform X, he said the state’s modern academic facilities and educational environment have helped establish Karnataka as a leading education hub in the country. He added that increasing research opportunities, strong institutional infrastructure, the adoption of artificial intelligence in learning, and continued emphasis on student safety have strengthened confidence among students from India as well as those arriving from abroad.
Higher Education Sector Continues to Expand
The latest AISHE report reflects Karnataka’s consistent progress in expanding access to quality higher education while strengthening its global academic presence. With Bengaluru Urban maintaining its leadership in the number of colleges and the state ranking first in both college density and international student enrolment, Karnataka continues to reinforce its position as one of India’s most prominent education destinations.