We want to develop an education system so that the youth of our country don’t need to go abroad. Our middle-class families need not spend lakhs and crores of rupees. Not only that, we also want to create such institutions that attract people from abroad to come to Bharat instead.

~ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

 

Introduction

 

National Education Day is celebrated on November 11 every year in honor of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India and a prominent educationist. This day highlights the importance of education in shaping India's future. With 65% of the nation's population under the age of 35, it is crucial to provide them with opportunities for quality education and skills development. The Government of India is dedicated to building strong education infrastructure that fosters the holistic development of students and empowers the youth to drive the nation towards progress.

Transforming India through Education

 

The Government of India has taken significant strides to promote access to education through various initiatives and constitutional provisions. The introduction of free primary education, reinforced by the 86th Amendment of the Constitution through Article 21-A, guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged six to fourteen as a Fundamental Right. The Rights to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which came into effect on April 1, 2010, further supports this by ensuring that every child receives quality elementary education in a formal school that meets prescribed norms. These legal frameworks, backed by government schemes and initiatives, reflect India’s commitment to building an inclusive and equitable educational system for all.

NEP 2020: Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet of India approved the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 on July 29, 2020. The NEP seeks to overhaul India's education system to better align with the needs of the 21st century, fostering a more inclusive and forward-thinking approach.^[3]

PM SHRI: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the PM SHRI Schools (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme on 7^th September 2022. The initiative aims to strengthen over 14,500 schools across India, showcasing the components of the National Education Policy 2020. The scheme will foster quality education, cognitive development, and 21st-century skills in students. With a total project cost of ₹27,360 crore, it will be implemented over five years (2022-2027), with a central share of ₹18,128 crore.^[4]

Samagra Shiksha: Aligned with the NEP 2020 recommendations, Samagra Shiksha aims to provide quality education with an inclusive and equitable classroom environment for all children, addressing their diverse backgrounds and needs. The scheme, launched on April 1, 2021, will continue for five years, ending on March 31, 2026. It focuses on fostering active participation and enhancing academic abilities across various student groups.^[5]

PRERNA: Launched its pilot phase from January 15, 2024, to February 17, 2024, at a vernacular school in Vadnagar, Gujarat. The initiative is a week-long residential program designed for selected students from class IX to XII. It aims to offer an experiential and inspirational learning experience, blending heritage with innovation through state-of-the-art technology. Each week, a batch of 20 students (10 boys and 10 girls) from across the country will participate in the program.^[6]

ULLAS: Also known as Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme - NILP), ULLAS was launched by the Government of India for the period FY 2022-2027. This centrally sponsored initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to empower adults aged 15 and above, especially those who missed out on formal schooling. The program seeks to enhance their literacy, enabling them to better integrate into society and actively contribute to the nation's development.^[7]

NIPUN Bharat: The National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) was launched by the Department of School Education & Literacy on 5th July 2021. The mission aims to ensure that every child in the country achieves foundational literacy and numeracy by the end of Grade 3, with a target completion by 2026-27.^[8]

Vidya Pravesh: The VIDYA PRAVESH guidelines for the Three-month Play-based School Preparation Module for Grade-I children were released on 29th July 2021. The initiative aims to provide a warm and welcoming environment for children entering Grade-I, ensuring a smooth transition and fostering a positive learning experience.^[9]

Vidyanjali: The School Volunteer Management Program, launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 7th September 2021, aims to enhance the quality of education in schools by fostering community involvement, and encouraging contributions from corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and the private sector across the country.^[10]

DIKSHA: It was launched on 5th September 2017 by Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu. The platform aims to enhance teacher training and professional development by accelerating innovative solutions and experiments in education. DIKSHA empowers states and Teacher Education Institutes (TEIs) with the flexibility to customize the platform to meet their specific needs, benefiting teachers, teacher educators, and student teachers across the country.^[11]

SWAYAM Plus: SWAYAM Plus, which was officially launched on 27th February 2024 by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon'ble Minister of Education. The initiative seeks to revolutionize higher education and improve employability by implementing an innovative credit recognition system for industry-relevant courses, emphasizing skill development, employability, and forging stronger industry partnerships.^[12]

NISHTHA: The NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement), launched by the Ministry of Education on 21st August 2019, aims to enhance the professional development of 42 lakh elementary teachers and school heads. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was transitioned to NISHTHA-Online on 6th October 2020, delivered through the DIKSHA platform. Building on this success, in 2021-22, NISHTHA 2.0 was launched for secondary school teachers, while NISHTHA 3.0, focusing on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, was introduced on 7th September 2021.^[13]

NIRF Ranking: The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), launched by the Ministry of Education on 29th September 2015, marked a pivotal step toward enhancing the quality and accessibility of higher education in India. NIRF introduced a structured and transparent system for assessing and ranking universities, colleges, and other institutions, fostering healthy competition and encouraging improvements in education and infrastructure.^[14]

PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme: The Union Cabinet, led by Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme to support meritorious students by providing financial assistance for quality higher education. This scheme offers education loans for students admitted to the top 860 institutions across India, benefiting over 22 lakh students each year. With a budget allocation of Rs. 3,600 crore from 2024-25 to 2030-31, the scheme aims to assist an additional 7 lakh students. Implemented through a fully digital, transparent, and student-centric platform, PM-Vidyalaxmi ensures easy access and smooth interoperability for students nationwide.^[15]

Investing in Education for a Brighter Future^[16]

 

India’s path to global leadership is closely linked to the strength of its education system. To expand access to quality education and build a resilient learning environment, the Department of School Education & Literacy has been allocated a record ₹73,498 crore in the FY 2024-25 budget. This represents a substantial increase of ₹12,024 crore (19.56%) over the Revised Estimate for FY 2023-24, highlighting the government’s commitment to bolstering the education sector.

Notably, the highest-ever allocations have been made to key autonomous bodies, with ₹ 9,302 crore allocated to Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS) and ₹ 5,800 crore to Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS). This substantial investment reflects a clear intent to further elevate India’s education system.

For FY 2024-25, the Department of Higher Education's budget allocation is set at Rs. 47,619.77 crore, with Rs. 7,487.87 crore dedicated to schemes and Rs. 40,131.90 crore for non-scheme expenses. This reflects a significant increase of Rs. 3,525.15 crore, or 7.99%, over the previous fiscal year. Notably, the allocation for specific schemes has risen by Rs. 1,139.99 crore, underscoring a strengthened focus on targeted initiatives within higher education.

Increase in Enrolment in Higher Education Institutions: AISHE Report 2021-22^[17]

 

The Ministry of Education, Government of India, released the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-2022 in January 2024. Since its inception in 2011, AISHE has been collecting comprehensive data from all registered Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) across the country, covering key parameters such as student enrolment, faculty, and infrastructure. The survey highlights significant improvements over the years, reflecting the positive advancements in India’s education sector, with increased enrolment, enhanced inclusivity, and stronger infrastructure, contributing to a more robust and dynamic higher education system.

Female enrolment has also shown remarkable growth, rising from 1.57 crore in 2014-15 to 2.07 crore in 2021-22, an increase of 32%. The enrolment of students from disadvantaged groups, including SC, ST, OBC, and minorities, has grown significantly, with notable increases in female enrolment across all categories. In 2021-22, the Gender Parity Index (GPI) reached 1.01, reflecting a consistent trend of more female students enroling in higher education than males.

In terms of fields of study, enrolment in STEM disciplines has seen a steady rise, with 98.5 lakh students enroled in UG, PG, and Ph.D. levels in 2021-22. Despite challenges, women are leading in disciplines such as Medical Science, Social Science, and Arts. The dropout rate at the secondary level has also decreased significantly from 21% in 2013-14 to 13% in 2021-22.

In FY 2024-25, the Department of Higher Education saw a budget increase of ₹3,525.15 crore (7.99%) compared to FY 2023-24, underlining the government's commitment to further strengthening the higher education sector and supporting inclusive growth.

Conclusion

Education holds the power to break barriers, open doors of opportunity, and empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to society. India’s educational landscape has evolved significantly, building a robust system through continuous innovation and comprehensive reforms. By embracing a holistic, 360-degree approach that integrates new ideas, technologies, and teaching methods, India is creating an environment where youth can thrive, transforming them into key assets for the nation’s growth. As we honor the legacy of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, let us reaffirm our commitment to education as the cornerstone of a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Reference

 

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2045606
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2053796
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2036125&reg=3&lang=1
• https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2022/nov/doc20221110122901.pdf
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1857409
• https://samagra.education.gov.in/infographics.html
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1993086
• https://nilp.education.gov.in/nilp/about-us
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1907189#:~:text=Toward%20this%20end%2C%20the%20Department,country%20necessarily%20attains%20foundational%20literacy
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2036639&reg=3&lang=1
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2038018&reg=3&lang=1
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1514254
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2051472#:~:text=SWAYAM%20Plus%20initiative%20was%20launched,Employability%2C%20Skilling%20and%20Industry%20partnerships.
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1847875#:~:text=The%20Department%20of%20School%20Education,Advancement%20on%2021st%20August%2C%202019.

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Santosh Kumar/ Sheetal Angral/ Kamna Lakaria

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