High Quality Education Needs Trust Between State and Institutions, Public and Private

The National Education Policy (NEP) is reforming Indian higher education, as the quality of education is central to India’s economic growth, social mobility, and leadership.

Importance of NEP-Led Momentum Matters

• Systemic Reform in Higher Education: Regulation is evolving to reduce fragmentation and improve coordination.
  • Degree structures are becoming flexible, including multiple exit options and four-year programmes.
  • Curriculum, pedagogy, and assessments are shifting toward multidisciplinary learning.
• Importance of Sustained State Support: China’s experience shows that consistent state attention improves both scale and quality.
  • While India differs institutionally, clear policy direction enables better institutional execution and strengthens public confidence in higher education.
• Demographic Significance: As the home of the largest youth population, India’s future depends on higher education outcomes.
  • Preparation for learning, work, and leadership will shape long-term social and economic growth.
    

Three Major Shifts in the Past Year

• Institutionalising the Research Ecosystem: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) promotes long-term scientific research and industry–academia collaboration.
  • The ₹1-lakh-crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme focuses on market-ready innovation and private participation.
  • Together, they form a dual track of basic research and applied innovation.
• Institutional Innovation by higher education institutions (HEIs): IIMs have launched undergraduate programmes, while colleges are adding well-being, life skills, and apprenticeships, reflecting a shift toward broader academic and career pathways.
  • Following the NEP, universities have also started moving toward graduating their first four-year undergraduate cohorts, though the three-year path remains an option.
  • The Bachelor’s with Honours in Research provides greater academic depth and global competitiveness.
  • India had 54 universities in QS Rankings 2026, up from 11 in 2015 and 46 in 2025, making it the fourth-most represented and fastest-rising G20 country, reflecting stronger research output, faculty strength, and international engagement.
• Changing Global Mobility Patterns
  • Over 1.25 million Indians study abroad (MEA), but tighter visa requirements and geopolitical tensions are limiting access.
  • High-quality domestic alternatives are becoming more important.
  • Higher education is globalising both ways, with foreign universities entering India and Indian institutions expanding abroad.

Developments Shaping the Next Phase

• Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025: The Bill addresses overlapping mandates and regulatory fragmentation.
  • It proposes a single apex body with separate councils for regulation, standards, and accreditation.
  • With private institutions educating two-thirds of students, strong accreditation and public disclosure are essential for quality assurance.
• Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Education: The Ministry of Education has announced the establishment of four Centres of Excellence in AI for education, health, agriculture, and sustainable cities, which provide structured innovation platforms.
• Strengthening Science Education: There is a need to address the lack of hands-on exposure by promoting makerspaces, project-based learning, and industry–startup linkages to strengthen skilling and deep-tech readiness.
• Scaling Access While Preserving Quality: India aims to achieve 50% Gross Enrolment Ratio by 2035, requiring sustained prioritisation of higher education as national infrastructure.
  • Digital platforms can overcome physical capacity limits and expand access.
  • However, academic standards and love for learning must remain central to quality education.
    

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Conclusion

Achieving Viksit Bharat requires trust between the state and institutions, strong implementation, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence so that mass expansion also delivers high-quality human capital.

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