Overview
The higher‑education system in India is being reshaped to balance two goals: national recognition of qualifications and local relevance of curricula. The NEP 2020 makes this balance the guiding principle. It asks the Centre and the States to plan together, give institutions autonomy, and expand programmes in regional languages.
Key Developments under NEP 2020
- PM‑USHA empowers States and Union Territories to pick focus districts using indicators of participation, equity, remoteness and access to government colleges. The scheme funds up to ₹100 crore for each of the 35 Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities selected through a state‑led process.
- The UGC framework leaves core academic decisions to institutional bodies such as Boards of Studies and Academic Councils, allowing flexibility in course design and credit allocation.
- The Academic Bank of Credits and the National Credit Framework aim to make learning portable.
- Online platforms like SWAYAM now allow up to 40% of programme credits to be earned online, and more than 700 universities and 6,600 colleges offer multiple‑entry‑multiple‑exit options.
- Apprenticeship‑embedded degree programmes are expanding. The Rajya Sabha reply of 29 July 2026 noted that NATS engaged 17.22 lakh apprentices (2021‑22 to 2025‑26) with a stipend outlay of ₹2,892.75 crore. Over 457 MoUs with higher‑education institutions support these programmes.
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