Gross enrolment ratio in India stands at an estimated 18.8 per cent, with OBCs recording a respectable 27.1 per cent, according to a provisional survey on higher education released today.

Enrolment ratio among SC students in contrast stood at 10.2 per cent and 4.4 per cent in case of females, it said.

Similarly, enrolment ratio among the teaching staff was more under OBC at 23.3 per cent as compared to 7.4 per cent among SC category and 2.9 per cent in ST category.

The first 'all India survey on higher education' for 2010-11 also said 19,249 foreign students were pursuing education in India and 6,842 of them were female students.

The figures were, however, based on information provided by 489 universities and over 11,000 colleges. The full report will be released on Education Day on November 11.

Releasing the provisional report, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal exuded confidence about attaining the gross enrolment ratio (GER) of 30 per cent by 2020.

"If the figures of all universities are taken into account, then GER would come out to 19.5 per cent. From 12.4 to 19.5 in three years, the figures are phenomenal," he said adding, "it will go much beyond than 30 per cent by 2020".

The survey said while the number of private unaided colleges account for a major share of the total number of colleges at 57 per cent, the enrolment in such colleges is only 38 per cent of the total enrolment in colleges.