India's higher education system is indeed one of the largest in the world, with a rich network of institutions that include globally recognized entities like the IITs and IIMs. The QS World University Rankings for Asia 2024 reflect India's significant role in higher education. However, the system is grappling with challenges that affect its quality and relevance.
The current government has been replacing university vice chancellors with appointees who are politically pliable and lack higher education experience, which is reshaping universities with politically allied faculty and other changes.The politicization of higher education is seen as part of broader “illiberal” trends in society and is a concern for the future of intellectual life and India’s aspirations for global academic recognition.
Current Status
Student Enrolment: There's been an increase in student enrolment, with significant growth in women's enrolment, particularly at the postgraduate level.
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): The GER for the age group 18-23 years stands at 28.4%, with a Gender Parity Index (GPI) of 1.01, indicating gender parity.
Discipline-wise Enrolment: The highest enrolment at the undergraduate level is in the BA program, followed by science, commerce, and engineering and technology. At the PhD level, engineering leads, followed by science and social sciences.
Government Institutions: A majority of students attend government universities, with state public universities accounting for the largest share of enrolment.
Key Government Initiatives
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Aims to revamp the education system, with a target to increase GER to 50% by 2035.
Institutions of Eminence (IoE) Scheme: Provides complete autonomy to selected institutions to promote excellence.
National Credit Framework: Facilitates integration of training and skill development across educational levels.
Digital Initiatives: Includes platforms like SWAYAM and the National Digital Library of India to enhance access to educational resources.
Challenges
Inequitable Access: Disparities in access to higher education based on socio-economic background, gender, and location persist.
Politicization: Political interference is a growing concern, affecting autonomy and educational quality.
Limited Funding: Budget cuts and lower R&D investment compared to other countries are notable issues.
Faculty Shortage and Brain Drain: A significant number of teaching positions remain vacant, and there's a trend of academics moving abroad or to the private sector.
Industry-Academia Collaboration: The lack of collaboration leads to a skills gap among graduates.
Measures for Improvement
Redefining University Roles: Emphasizing practical skill development, community engagement, and transforming institutions into skill generators.
Open Education Resources (OER): Enhancing access to quality resources and promoting a culture of knowledge sharing.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centers: Establishing centers within universities to support innovative ideas and ventures.
Transnational Education Partnerships: Collaborating with international universities to improve global exposure and competitiveness.
Dual Study Programs: Combining theoretical learning with practical training to ensure industry-relevant skills development.
These initiatives and reforms aim to address the challenges and enhance the quality and relevance of higher education in India, preparing students for the demands of the 21st century.