HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN INDIA: CHALLENGES AND WAY FORWARD

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Picture Courtesy:  INDIAN EXPRESS

Context

Government and political interference, including appointments based on ideological preferences rather than merit, are eroding the autonomy and academic freedom of Indian universities.

Education System in India

Constitutional Foundation: The 86th Amendment Act of 2002 inserted Article 21A, elevating the right to education for children aged 6 to 14 to a Fundamental Right, builds upon Article 45 (a Directive Principle of State Policy). The Right to Education (RTE) Act of 2009 enforces this fundamental right.

• The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) shifted education from the State List to the Concurrent List of the 7th Schedule.

Status of School Education: Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report (2023-24)

• India has 14.72 lakh schools, serving 24.8 crore students and employing 98 lakh teachers.
• Government schools make up 69% of the total, while private schools account for 22.5%. 
• The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) is high at the primary level (93%) but decreases at secondary (77.4%) and higher secondary (56.2%) levels.
• Dropout rates are lowest at the primary level (1.9%) and highest at the secondary level (14.1%). 
• learning outcomes remain a concern, with only 23.4% of Class 3 students in government schools able to read a Class 2-level text.
• Nearly 10 lakh teaching vacancies at the primary and secondary levels. 

Status of Higher Education: All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22

• Higher education saw 4.33 crore students enrolled, a 26.5% increase from 2014-15.
• The GER for the 18-23 age group is 28.4%, with a target of 50% by 2035.
• The Gender Parity Index (GPI) reached 1.01 in 2021-22.
• The number of Higher Education Institutions has increased, including 1213 universities and 780 medical colleges. India's global research contribution has also risen to 5.2%. 

Evolution of Education System

Radhakrishnan Commission (1948-49): First major commission on university education, made recommendations on the aims and structure of higher education.

Kothari Commission (1964-66): Recommended the 10+2+3 structure; 10 years of school education, 2 years of higher secondary education, and 3 years of undergraduate study at the college level. 

• Increasing the expenditure on education to 6% of the national income.

National Policy on Education (NPE) of 1986: Adopted the 10+2+3 structure proposed by the Kothari Commission.

• Operation Blackboard: Improve the infrastructure and quality of primary schools.
• Navodaya Vidyalayas: Provide quality education to talented children.
• Open University System: Expanding access to higher education through distance learning, establishment of the Indira Gandhi National Open University.

Yashpal Committee (2009): Recommended replacing the fragmented regulatory structure for higher education (including bodies like UGC, AICTE, etc.) with a single body: the Commission for Higher Education and Research (CHER). 

National Knowledge Commission (2006-2009): Recommendations on reforming higher education to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

• Replacing existing regulatory bodies with an Independent Regulatory Authority for Higher Education (IRAHE) to provide a streamlined and autonomous framework.
• Creation of a National Knowledge Network, developing technical vocabulary in Indian languages, and advocating for widespread broadband connectivity and Open Educational Resources. 

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Introduced 5+3+3+4 curricular structure. In higher education, it promotes multidisciplinary studies, flexible curricula, and multiple entry/exit options.

• Academic Bank of Credits (ABC): A digital repository to store academic credits earned from various institutions, allowing students to transfer credits and pursue customized degrees.
• Four-Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP): Offers multiple entry and exit points, providing students with a certificate, diploma, or degree depending on their duration of study.
• National Research Foundation (NRF): Autonomous body established to fund, mentor, and build research capacity across all disciplines in universities.

Foreign universities campuses in India: Allowed under the University Grants Commission (UGC) (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023.

• The degrees awarded will be recognized as equivalent to those from their home country.  

Digital Initiatives: SWAYAM hosts over 2,000 courses, the National Digital Library of India (NDLI) provides access to over 70 million digital resources.

Institutions of Eminence (IoE) Scheme: Aims to create 20 world-class teaching and research institutions (10 public and 10 private) by providing them with greater autonomy and funding.

Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA): Provide financial assistance for infrastructure development and research projects in premier educational institutions.

What are the main challenges Indian universities are facing?

Political Interference and Stifled Autonomy: Appointments of vice-chancellors and other key administrative positions in universities are persuaded by political considerations, risking academic integrity and institutional autonomy.

• It extends to parts like curriculum design, faculty recruitment, and resource allocation, restricting innovation and adaptation to developing needs.

Outdated Pedagogy and Curriculum: Teacher-centric, lecture-based approach continues in many institutions, failing to encourage critical thinking and active learning.

• Curricula, especially in State Public Universities (SPUs), remain stagnant, results in graduates lacking relevant knowledge and practical skills required for job market.  

Low Research Output and Funding: Expenditure on R&D stands at 0.64% of GDP, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25, lower than countries like the USA (2.8%), China (2.1%), and Israel (4.9%).

• Underfunding, coupled with limited private sector involvement and inadequate infrastructure, stifles innovation and limits the global research impact of Indian institutions.
• Indian universities publish fewer papers in leading journals and none rank among the global top 100 in research impact.

Faculty Shortages and Quality: According to a recent parliamentary committee report, as of January 2025, 28.56% of the total sanctioned teaching posts in institutions like IITs, NITs, IIMs, IISERs, and central universities are vacant.

• Many professors also lack the training and experience required to adapt to modern pedagogical techniques.

Poor Global Ranking: Due to weaknesses in research output and quality, international faculty and student numbers, and funding, coupled with outdated curricula and governance structures.

• QS World University Rankings 2026: No Indian University in top 100. IIT Delhi (123rd), IIT Bombay (129th), and IIT Madras (180th).
• Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024: No Indian university in top 200.  

Employability Crisis and Skill Gaps: The Economic Survey 2023-24 reported that only 51.25% of Indian graduates are considered employable. 

• Graduates frequently lack essential soft skills like communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy, crucial for gainful employment.

Accreditation Deficit: Majority of higher education institutions operate without proper accreditation. According to a UGC report, only about 20% of colleges and 45% of universities in India are accredited.  

Infrastructure Gaps: Many institutions, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, suffer from inadequate infrastructure, including poor-quality classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels, and digital connectivity, results regional imbalances in access to quality education.

Fragmented Ecosystem: Higher education system is fragmented by a multitude of regulatory bodies operating independently (e.g., UGC, AICTE, NCTE).

• Overlapping jurisdiction and lack of coordination create inefficiencies and hinder a holistic, cohesive approach to education reform.

Mental Health Crisis: High-pressure academic environment and societal expectations are contributing to a growing mental health crisis among students.

• A 2024 study reported that around 40% of teenagers in India experience stress and anxiety.  
• Academic pressure fuels stress, over 13,000 students died by suicide in 2022.
• Mental health highly stigmatized, hindering help-seeking. Campuses, especially in tier-2/3 cities, lack adequate support systems like counseling services and trained staff.

Employability pressures:  India Skills Report 2024 found that only 46% of Indian graduates are considered employable by industry standards.

• Graduates lack industry-relevant skills, including crucial soft skills like communication, critical thinking, and creativity
• High parental expectations, focus on family honor, and societal emphasis on specific career paths add to student stress.  

Socio-cultural barriers: Students from marginalized communities (SC, ST, OBC) face prejudice and discrimination, impacting their mental health and high dropout rates. Over 13,500 such students dropped out of central institutions in 5 years.

• Rising fees and insufficient financial aid create barriers for low-income students.  
• Transition from regional language to English in higher education impede learning for some students.

Ethical Concerns: Issues like plagiarism, fake degrees, and corruption in admissions and appointments are serious ethical challenges that undermine the credibility and integrity of the higher education system. 

Way Forward to build a world-class University system

Increase Fund for Excellence: Increase public expenditure on education to 6% of GDP, ensure transparent allocation to improve infrastructure, faculty salaries, and digital resources.

• Diversify funding sources by promoting philanthropy, endowment funds (e.g., Harvard's $50.9 billion), and revenue-generating activities like industry collaborations and consulting projects.
• Implementing a "Study-Now-Pay-Later" scheme, like Australia's HELP program, ensures affordability and access for students, alleviating upfront fee burdens.

Promote a Culture of Quality: NEP 2020 pushes for a shift from rote learning to a multidisciplinary, flexible curriculum with multiple entry/exit options and a credit-transfer system like the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).

• Revamp the accreditation process, moving towards a continuous assessment system instead of periodic reviews, while focusing on outcome-based frameworks and utilizing AI for performance monitoring.
• Regular curriculum reviews, conducted with industry and international academic bodies, to ensure relevance and update.

Invest in Research & Innovation: Boost research and innovation by increasing funding, strengthening industry-academia partnerships, and creating a supportive regulatory framework.

• Establish dedicated entrepreneurship centers, incubators, and providing seed funding will nurture innovation and entrepreneurial talent.

Empower Faculty: Streamlining recruitment processes, prioritize merit-based selection, and eliminating Politicization/bureaucratic delays.

• Invest in continuous professional development and training programs (e.g., ATAL Academies) to upgrade teaching methodologies.
• Offering better salaries, incentives, and autonomy will attract and retain talented faculty.

Strengthen Governance: Granting greater academic, administrative, and financial autonomy to institutions, especially in curriculum design, is crucial for encouraging innovation.

• The proposed Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) as a single, unified regulator will streamline the regulatory process and reduce bureaucratic delays.  

Expand Global Engagement: Offer competitive scholarships, and create a globally benchmarked campus environment to attract international students and faculty.

• Promoting collaborations with top global universities for joint research and exchange programs will enhance international exposure and elevate academic standards.
• Initiatives like the "Study in India" program promote India as a destination for international students.

Leverage Technology for Transformation: Integrate advanced digital tools and platforms, including virtual classrooms, e-assessments, AI, and big data, into teaching, learning, and administration.

• Initiatives like SWAYAM, SWAYAM Prabha, and the National Digital Library of India expand access to education and provide digital resources.
• Bridge the digital divide by providing affordable devices and reliable internet access in rural areas. 

Prioritize student well-being: Establish comprehensive campus counseling, peer support networks, and faculty mentor systems.

• Campaigns to normalize mental health discussions, including mental health literacy, stress management, and emotional intelligence into curricula.
• Utilize digital platforms for counseling, awareness, and support, enhancing accessibility and reach, especially in remote areas. 

Bridge the employability gap: Update syllabus with industry input, focusing on both technical and critical soft skills (communication, creativity). Integrate internships, apprenticeships, and real-world projects into all degree programs..

Ensure inclusivity & equity: Targeted initiatives and infrastructure for underserved regions and marginalized communities.  

• Strengthen anti-discrimination policies and grievance redressal mechanisms.
• Expand scholarships and financial aid, by simplifying application processes.
• Provide bridge courses and language support for students shifting from regional languages to English in higher education.
• Promote diversity, mutual respect, and cultural understanding across campuses.

What India Can Learn from Other Countries

Germany's Dual Vocational Education System: Combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training, creating a highly skilled workforce and ensuring high employability rates. India can adopt this model to strengthen vocational education stream.

Finland's Teacher Empowerment Model: Finland invests in its teachers, who are selected from the top 10% of graduates and enjoy high levels of autonomy and respect.

Australia's Quality Assurance Framework: Independent quality assurance agency (TEQSA) that ensures high standards across its higher education sector. India can strengthen accreditation and quality assurance processes.

Singapore's SkillsFuture Initiative: A national movement for lifelong learning that provides citizens with resources and funding to continuously upgrade their skills. This model can help India address the challenges of a rapidly changing job market.

Conclusion

Indian education faces challenges in quality, access, and employability, necessitating systemic reforms focused on modernizing curricula, improving faculty, boosting research, and ensuring equitable opportunities for a skilled future.  

Source: INDIAN EXPRESS