Higher education system in India is at a crossroads, facing a paradox of increased access but declining quality. Despite the establishment of numerous institutions, the emphasis on research over teaching has compromised the education quality. Experts suggest a renewed focus on teaching excellence and stronger research-teaching partnerships to bridge this gap.
| GS Paper | GS Paper II |
| Topics for UPSC Prelims | India’s higher education system, National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), National Education Policy 2020, Institutions of Eminence (IoE) Scheme, SWAYAM, National Assessment and Accreditation Council, University Grants Commission, Eklavya Model Residential Schools |
| Topics for UPSC Mains | Recent Indian Government Initiatives Related to Higher Education System, Reasons for Underperformance of Indian Higher Education System |
This editorial is based on “Rising STEM research demands revitalized education,” published in The Hindu on November 6, 2024. The article highlights the need for reforms in India’s higher education system to enhance graduate quality.
For UPSC aspirants, understanding the challenges and reforms in India’s higher education system is crucial. It aligns with the General Studies Paper 2 of the UPSC syllabus, covering education policies and government interventions. It also aids in developing analytical skills required for mains examination, particularly in addressing issues related to education and governance.
The revitalization of India’s higher education system is crucial, spotlighted due to its impact on national growth and its relevance in UPSC exams. This topic ties into past UPSC questions about education policies, highlighting the need for reforms in pedagogical methods, research funding, and industry-academia collaboration to enhance educational quality and inclusivity.
India’s higher education system is fraught with numerous challenges, with a significant mismatch between the skills of graduates and the demands of industries. Despite a surge in institutions, quality, especially in undergraduate programs, remains a concern. Addressing these issues requires an increased focus on pedagogical skills and collaboration between research and teaching institutions to bridge this gap.
The rapid expansion of higher education in India has often come at the expense of quality. Many private institutions prioritize profit over academic excellence, resulting in diluted academic standards and inadequate infrastructure. Alarmingly, about 30% of universities and colleges remain unaccredited, and only 45% of engineering graduates meet industry standards, highlighting a significant skills gap.
Indian higher education institutions are plagued by a lack of research culture, compounded by minimal funding. The pressure to publish has led to numerous papers in predatory journals rather than reputable ones. With research spending at 0.7% of GDP, India lags behind countries like China and the U.S., reflected in lower patent filings, which were significantly fewer than those in China and the U.S. in 2023.
A critical shortage of qualified faculty members affects India’s higher education quality. With over 30% of teaching positions vacant in Central Universities, the bureaucratic hiring process and inadequate compensation deter talent. Existing faculty often lack proper training and industry exposure, necessary for modern education delivery, exacerbating the education quality crisis.
The outdated curricula in many Indian universities fail to meet contemporary industry requirements, leading to an industry-academia disconnect. This results in graduates needing extensive retraining. The ILO’s Global Skills Gaps Report 2023 found 47% of Indian workers, especially women, underqualified for their jobs, underscoring the need for curriculum updates and industry collaboration.
Public funding for higher education is insufficient, forcing institutions to compromise on infrastructure and faculty quality. State universities suffer chronic underfunding, and the 2024-25 budget allocation decreased by 17%. This reliance on student fees makes quality education unaffordable for many, highlighting the need for increased government investment in higher education.
The digital divide in higher education remains a pressing issue. While elite institutions have embraced digital advancements, most universities struggle with basic digital infrastructure. The pandemic widened this gap, with nearly 60% of school children lacking access to online learning, emphasizing the need for equitable digital infrastructure across educational institutions.
Mental health is a growing concern among students, with inadequate support services in universities. Academic pressure and career uncertainty contribute to significant stress levels. A 2023 report revealed 50% of college students identified mental health challenges as their primary stress source, necessitating improved counseling and support services within educational institutions.
Despite an emphasis on startup culture, universities often lack adequate support for entrepreneurship. Limited industry connections restrict mentorship and incubation opportunities, hindering innovation. The early-stage entrepreneurship rate was a mere 11.5% in 2022–23, indicating the need for stronger industry-university partnerships to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Language barriers present significant challenges in higher education, particularly for students from rural or non-English-speaking backgrounds. This can limit access to quality education and opportunities. For instance, tribal students in Andhra Pradesh struggle due to instruction in unfamiliar languages, highlighting the need for language-inclusive educational strategies.
The Indian government has initiated several reforms to address higher education challenges, focusing on policy changes and digital advancements to enhance education quality and accessibility.
NISHTHA aims to improve teacher quality through extensive training programs. It certifies over 32,648 Master Trainers to enhance educational stages, including specialized Early Childhood Care and Education training, ensuring educators are equipped with modern teaching methodologies.
PARAKH, under NEP 2020, seeks to standardize assessments across India. It conducts the State Educational Achievement Survey and develops Competency-based Assessments and Holistic Progress Cards, focusing on students’ socio-emotional and cognitive development.
NEP 2020 introduces significant curriculum changes, aligning education with holistic and competency-based learning. The policy includes the National Curriculum Framework for School Education and new schemes offering loans for higher education, aiming to modernize the education system.
The IoE scheme, launched in 2018, grants autonomy to 20 institutions to foster academic excellence and innovation. This initiative encourages institutions to pursue global standards of education and research, enhancing their competitiveness on the international stage.
Digital initiatives like SWAYAM and the National Digital Library of India provide online courses and vast educational resources. These platforms support active learning and access to quality education, bridging the digital divide and promoting inclusive education.
Enhancing India’s higher education requires strategic measures to improve quality and global competitiveness, focusing on industry collaboration, faculty training, and inclusive education.
To bridge the industry-academia gap, a framework involving mandatory industry sabbaticals for faculty and industry-specific curriculum advisory boards is proposed. This ensures curriculum relevance and equips students with practical skills, enhancing employability.
Introducing mandatory pedagogical training and regular teaching effectiveness assessments can transform education delivery. Establishing Centers of Teaching Excellence will equip faculty with modern teaching methodologies, improving educational outcomes.
Continuous quality assessment systems and AI-based monitoring can replace periodic accreditation. This approach focuses on employability and skill development, ensuring institutions maintain high standards and respond promptly to quality lapses.
Instituting mandatory career development cells and mental health support systems can address student well-being. Integrating soft skills and leadership programs into the curriculum will prepare students for holistic development and future challenges.
Encouraging joint degree programs and international faculty exchanges can enhance global competitiveness. Simplified visa processes for foreign educators and shared research partnerships will foster international collaboration and innovation.
Developing academic content in regional languages ensures inclusivity. Bilingual programs and regional language journals can support non-English-speaking students, promoting equal access to quality education and research opportunities.
Aligning skill certification programs with industry needs through modular frameworks can enhance student employability. Establishing skill labs and implementing credit transfer systems will facilitate continuous skill development for students and faculty.
India can draw valuable insights from successful global education models to enhance its higher education system, focusing on autonomy, collaboration, and innovation.
Finland’s education system emphasizes autonomy and continuous assessment over standardized testing. This trust-based approach fosters a supportive learning environment, enhancing educational outcomes and student well-being.
Singapore’s collaborative model between academia and industry benefits both sectors. This integration has improved graduate employment outcomes and supported economic growth, offering valuable lessons for India in fostering such partnerships.
Germany’s dual education system combines theoretical learning with practical apprenticeships. This model ensures students gain real-world skills, enhancing employability and aligning education with industry needs.
Israeli universities excel in turning research into commercial innovations through strong ties with the defense sector and a focus on interdisciplinary learning. This model highlights the importance of entrepreneurship and technology transfer in education.
The Netherlands employs problem-based learning, engaging students in real-world challenges. This approach encourages critical thinking and collaboration, preparing students for complex problem-solving in their careers.
China’s “Double First Class” initiative focuses on research excellence and STEM education. Strong public-private partnerships and international collaborations have rapidly transformed its higher education landscape, offering strategic insights for India.
| Political: The Indian government plays a critical role in shaping education through policies like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and schemes like NISHTHA and PARAKH. These initiatives indicate a focus on standardizing and enhancing the education system. However, regulatory bodies often face challenges in maintaining quality standards, and political priorities can sometimes affect funding allocations and focus, leading to disparities in policy implementation across states. Economic: Higher education in India faces funding constraints, with limited public spending on education compared to other countries. As a result, many institutions rely heavily on student fees, making quality education inaccessible for lower-income groups. Economic growth demands skilled graduates, yet a significant skills gap exists due to outdated curricula and insufficient practical training. Partnerships with industries could help bridge this gap, providing resources and updated knowledge aligned with market needs.‘ Social: Social issues like mental health pressures, the digital divide, and language barriers significantly affect student experiences and outcomes. Many students, especially from non-urban backgrounds, face challenges due to inadequate digital access and support systems for mental health. Additionally, the lack of entrepreneurial support within universities limits innovation and hinders risk-taking. Society’s expectations for higher education to offer quality, employable skills are pushing institutions to evolve and better meet student needs. Technological: The rapid shift to digital learning, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has exposed infrastructure gaps, with most institutions lacking the technology required for effective online education. Initiatives like SWAYAM and other digital platforms are steps in the right direction, but challenges remain in achieving widespread access. The need for digital resources, practical e-learning solutions, and tech-based assessment methods is critical to bridging the divide between elite institutions and the majority of colleges. Environmental: Environmental considerations, while not a primary focus, are becoming relevant as institutions look to develop sustainable campuses and green practices. The global push toward environmental responsibility is influencing curricula, as more courses begin to integrate environmental studies. Research on sustainable technologies and practices can position Indian universities to contribute meaningfully to global environmental challenges, adding value to their academic programs and fostering a more eco-conscious student body. Legal: Legal frameworks around higher education include standards set by bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC), which regulate educational quality. However, these regulations have struggled to enforce consistency, with significant variations in standards between public and private institutions. As the government promotes international collaborations and partnerships with foreign universities, legal changes to ease foreign investment and exchange may be required. Additionally, protections around student rights, particularly related to fees and digital privacy, are gaining importance as the education landscape evolves. |
India’s higher education system needs a comprehensive overhaul to address its quality crisis. Prioritizing teaching excellence, fostering industry-academia partnerships, and investing in research infrastructure are crucial steps. By learning from global best practices and implementing innovative reforms, India can create a world-class higher education system that empowers its students and drives economic growth.
| UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)MainsQ. The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of higher and technical education in the country? Discuss.(UPSC Mains 2022, GS Paper III) Q. Discuss the key reforms introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aimed at transforming India’s higher education sector. How do initiatives like PARAKH, SWAYAM, and the Institutions of Eminence (IoE) scheme align with the vision of NEP 2020? |
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