NITI Aayog CEO Parameswaran Iyer emphasised that India requires a staggering 2,500 universities to accommodate 50% of eligible students, highlighting a severe shortfall in the country's higher education infrastructure.
Currently, India's gross enrollment ratio (GER) stands at 26.3%, with only 31.3 million students enrolled in higher education institutions out of 120 million eligible students in the 18-23 age group.
According to NITI Aayog, Ministry of Education, India presently has 1,043 universities and 42,343 colleges, which are woefully inadequate to meet the growing demand for higher education. The government has acknowledged this challenge and initiated several reforms, including the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill.
The NEP 2020 aims to transform India's education system by 2030, with a focus on accessibility, affordability, and quality. The HECI Bill seeks to create a single regulator for higher education, promoting transparency and accountability.
The government has also launched the Scheme for Transformation and Holistic Advancement of Resources for Education (STHARE) to strengthen infrastructure, faculty, and research capabilities. As India strives to become a knowledge-based economy, the shortage of universities poses a significant hurdle. The government's efforts to bridge this gap will be critical in shaping the country's future.
Key Statistics:
- Current GER: 26.3%
- Eligible students: 120 million
- Enrolled students: 31.3 million
- Total universities: 1,043
- Total colleges: 42,343
- Target GER: 50% by 2035
According to NITI Aayog, Ministry of Education, next steps:
- Implementation of NEP 2020 and HECI Bill
- Expansion of universities and colleges
- Improvement in quality and accessibility
- Enhanced focus on research and innovation
India Faces Shortfall in Universities, says NITI Aayog CEO
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