A Comparative Study of Scheduled Tribe Enrollment in Universities and Degree Colleges in Telangana

According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), Scheduled Tribe (ST) students constitute approximately 10–12 percent of total higher education enrollment in Telangana, which remains below their population share in the state. This disparity suggests that, despite constitutional provisions and welfare-oriented interventions, higher education participation among tribal communities has not yet achieved proportional inclusion. The gap is particularly pronounced at postgraduate and research levels, indicating the persistence of structural, socio-economic, and institutional barriers. AISHE data further indicate that nearly 75 percent of ST students are enrolled in degree colleges, predominantly in government and aided institutions located in rural and semi-urban regions. Greater accessibility, relatively lower admission competition, availability of undergraduate programs, and supportive measures such as hostels and fee reimbursement have made degree colleges the principal entry point into higher education for Scheduled Tribe students in Telangana. In contrast, universities account for a comparatively smaller share of ST enrollment. Centralized admission procedures, competitive entrance examinations, urban campus settings, and higher academic expectations disproportionately disadvantage ST students, many of whom are first-generation learners from educationally backward tribal areas. As a result, while undergraduate access has expanded, transition and progression from degree colleges to universities remain limited. Against this backdrop, the present study undertakes a comparative analysis of Scheduled Tribe enrollment in universities and degree colleges in Telangana, with a focus on institutional disparities, gender-wise enrollment patterns, and the effectiveness of government policy interventions. The study aims to assess whether existing measures promote not only increased access but also equitable representation and academic progression of Scheduled Tribe students across higher education institutions.