PRAYAGRAJ, March 8 -- Traditional higher education courses such as BA, BSc and BCom in Uttar Pradesh have seen a decline of nearly four lakh enrolments this academic year, though female students continue to outnumber male students across colleges in the state, according to the latest report of the higher education department. The Income-Expenditure Report 2026-27 presented in the state assembly by the Prayagraj-based Directorate of Higher Education shows that 48,95,468 students have enrolled in traditional courses in the ongoing academic session across 8,072 government, aided and unaided colleges in the state. Of the total, 24,98,560 are female students while 23,96,908 are male, indicating that women continue to maintain a higher participation rate in higher education institutions across Uttar Pradesh. In comparison, the previous academic year recorded 53,28,969 admissions, including 28,75,211 female students and 24,53,758 male students. Officials said the decline could be linked to the growing preference for vocational and professional courses, which may be drawing students away from traditional degree programmes. Data from the past four years shows that male enrolment exceeded female enrolment only in the 2022-23 academic session, when 44,18,809 students enrolled, including 22,35,114 male and 21,83,695 female students. The state government has set a target of achieving a gross enrolment ratio (GER) of 40% by 2030 to expand access to higher education. However, the current decline may pose challenges to meeting that goal. Director of higher education BL Sharma said female participation in regular college courses remained higher and was expected to increase further with the implementation of the Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Yojana....