Representative image of students.
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Higher education is often seen as the gateway to career success, and naturally, students aim for admission into the country’s most prestigious institutions. However, the sheer scale of India's education system and its competitive nature make this journey exciting and daunting.
According to the Ministry of Education's All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22, India's higher education ecosystem comprises 1,168 universities, 45,473 colleges, and 12,002 standalone institutions. The total enrolment in higher education has risen to 4.33 crore, with 2.07 crore female students, marking a 32% increase since 2014-15.
The six states with the highest student enrolment—Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Rajasthan—account for 53.3% of total enrolments. The undergraduate level dominates admissions, with 78.9% of students pursuing bachelor's degrees. Among them, 34.2% enrol in Arts, 14.8% in Science, 13.3% in Commerce, and 11.8% in Engineering and Technology.
Despite the large enrolment numbers, the total number of graduates remains significantly lower. In 2021-22, only 1.07 crore students passed out, showing the challenges students face in completing their higher education.
A competitive process
Millions share the dream of securing a seat in a premier institution. However, the success rate for admissions to top-tier colleges remains extremely low.
The IITs are the pinnacle of higher education for engineering aspirants, but competition is fierce. In JEE Main 2025, 12.58 lakh candidates appeared for the exam, out of 13.11 lakh registered, but the 23 IITs together offer only around 17,810 seats. This translates to a success rate of 1.4%, making IIT admission one of the toughest academic challenges in the country.
Similarly, for medical aspirants appearing in NEET 2025, 21 lakh students competed for 1,18,190 MBBS seats in government and private medical colleges. This results in an acceptance ratio of about 1 in 21, reinforcing the cutthroat nature of medical admissions.
Delhi University (DU) remains a top choice for students pursuing humanities, but available seats are limited. Science aspirants set their sights on institutions like IISc, ISER, and NISER. At the same time, Commerce students aim for prestigious colleges such as Hindu College, Miranda House, St. Stephen’s, and St. Xavier’s, all of which have highly selective admission processes.
Reduce the admission anxiety
With such intense competition, it’s important for students—and their parents—to take a broader view of higher education and career success. Here are key mental frameworks to reduce anxiety during the admission process:
Many external factors beyond your control influence admission outcomes. Invest energy into developing skills and adaptability rather than focusing solely on rankings and competition.
Being in a prestigious institution doesn’t guarantee success. The real determinant of one's future is the effort and commitment put in during college years. Statistics show that 4.33 crore students enroll in higher education, but only 1.07 crore graduate—perseverance matters more than just admission.
Not getting into a dream college isn’t a failure—it’s an opportunity to grow. Instead of dwelling on setbacks, embrace resilience and work harder in whichever college you join. Success is defined by how you make the most of opportunities rather than where you study.
Skill development is the key to future career security. According to the Future of Jobs 2025 report, the job market will undergo a major shift, with 170 million new jobs created and 92 million existing jobs becoming obsolete. Staying technologically and economically aware is crucial.
The future is unpredictable—stay curious and open to learning. Technological advancements and shifting geopolitical landscapes will reshape job markets. Students must cultivate observation and adaptability to discover new career paths, including entrepreneurial ventures.
For undergraduate students, plan your next step early. Job opportunities post-UG may be limited, so it's essential to explore postgraduate studies or specialised diploma programs to refine skills.
Parents should encourage independent decision-making. Rather than imposing their aspirations, they should support their children in making informed choices. Let students decide their career paths—this fosters responsibility and ownership.
Career exploration should begin in high school. Ideally, families should engage in discussions four to five years before college, helping students evaluate options thoughtfully. A democratic approach, where both parents and the student have equal say, ensures informed decisions.
Beyond college admissions
The higher education system in India is vast and ever-evolving. While securing admission into a reputed institution is an admirable goal, long-term success depends on continuous learning, adaptability, and practical skill development. Instead of placing undue pressure on rankings and cut-off percentages, students should focus on self-improvement, identifying opportunities, and preparing for a dynamic job market.
Also, please remember that in India, the formal job sector caters to less than 10% of all employable people now, and there is no possibility of a big change in this trend in the foreseeable future. If anything, what is clearer across the world is that progressively there will be adaptation of technology, short-term contracting skills and virtually a borderless world of work. Constantly, employers are looking at what skills (both technical and human) one brings to the table for the work or contract of work.
Ultimately, education is not just about gaining a degree but about building a foundation for lifelong growth and innovation. Irrespective of where one graduates from, determination, resilience, and curiosity will always define success.
(The author is the founder of a Hyderabad-based career counselling firm)