India’s higher education system, despite being one of the largest globally with over 1,000 universities and 40,000 colleges, faces critical challenges. Issues like poor employability of graduates, inadequate research output, and a widening quality-scale tradeoff persist, even as recent reforms aim to address these gaps. The sector demands comprehensive structural changes to align with global standards and meet industry and societal needs.
Why is the Indian Higher Education System Underperforming?
Quality-Scale Tradeoff:
Expansion prioritized quantity over quality, leading to subpar standards.
30% of universities remain unaccredited despite NEP 2020 mandates.
Only 45% of engineering graduates meet industry standards.
Research Output and Innovation Gap:
Low research spending at 0.7% of GDP compared to China (2.4%) and the US (3.5%).
Faculty overburdened with teaching, leaving little scope for research.
Faculty Crisis:
30% of teaching positions in Central Universities lie vacant.
Faculty lacks training, industry exposure, and competitive compensation.
Industry-Academia Disconnect:
Outdated curricula fail to align with contemporary industry needs.
Minimal practical exposure and collaboration hinder employability.
Funding Constraints:
Decreased budget allocation (17% for 2024–25) and reduced UGC funding (61%).
State universities struggle with chronic underfunding and infrastructure issues.
Digital Divide:
Poor digital infrastructure in most universities, widening education inequality.
Mental Health Challenges:
Inadequate counseling support despite rising psychological stress among students.
Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Weakness:
Limited incubation facilities and mentorship for student entrepreneurs.
Language Barriers:
Regional language challenges restrict access to quality education.
Recent Government Initiatives
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020:
Emphasizes competency-based education and holistic progress cards.
Launched NCF for School and Foundational Stages.
Institutions of Eminence (IoE):
Provides autonomy to selected institutions for academic excellence.
Digital Initiatives:
SWAYAM for online learning and National Digital Library for resource access.
PARAKH:
Standardizes assessment and tracks holistic student development.
NISHTHA Program:
Trains teachers and school heads for pedagogical improvement.
Global Best Practices
Singapore: The government actively facilitates industry-academia collaboration, integrating Corp Labs and skill development programs to enhance graduate employability and workforce productivity.
Netherlands: Problem-based learning encourages students to tackle real-world challenges in small groups, fostering critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills.
Measures to Strengthen the System
Industry-Academia Integration:
Mandate internships and industry projects for students.
Establish joint R&D centers funded by industry partners.
Include industry professionals as visiting faculty.
Pedagogical Transformation:
Standardized pedagogical training for faculty.
Centers of Teaching Excellence in each state for modern methodologies.
Quality Assurance:
Real-time institutional performance monitoring through AI.
Focus on employability and skill-based outcomes.
Student Support:
Career development cells with professional counselors.
Integrated soft skills and leadership programs.
Skill Development:
Modular certification aligned with industry needs.
Credit transfers between vocational and academic programs.
Conclusion
India must prioritize teaching excellence, industry partnerships, and research infrastructure to bridge gaps in higher education. Learning from global best practices and leveraging reforms can transform India's system into a global leader in education and innovation.
.png)
