Ecosystem of Higher Education in IndiaANUP K SINGH, PH D

UGC Annual Report 2014-15

Total Universities: 711 Central Universities: 46 State Universities: 329 State Private Universities: 205 Deemed to be Universities: 128 Colleges: 40,760 Top States for Universities: Rajasthan (68); Uttar Pradesh (64), and

Tamil Nadu (52)

Contd…

The student enrolment in terms of percentages at various levels had been observed as UG (88.26%), PG (11.09%), Research (0.67%), Diploma/Certificate (1.57%) and Integrated (0.41%).

About 88.37% of all the under-graduate students and 71.09% of all post-graduate students were in the affiliated colleges

Out of the total enrolment of students (265.85 lakhs), 37.41% students were in the faculty of Arts, followed by Science 17.59% and Commerce/Management 16.39% (Total 71%)

Contd…

Total Faculty Strength: 12.61 lakhs Ratio of Faculty in Colleges and Universities: 84.66% teachers were in

colleges, while the remaining 15.34% in universities

Ownership

Government

State

UGC regulated

University College

Central - HRD

Ministry

Self-regulated

institutions

IITs, IIMs, etc.

UGC regulated

UniversityDeemed to

be University

Central - Other

Ministries

Self-regulated

institutions

Non-Government

Self-financed

University

State private

Deemed to be

University

College

Grant-in-aid

Typology of HE Institutions

Among the largest educational system in the world

Among the fastest growing system in the world

Highly complex and diverse educational system

Increasing share of self-financing sector in higher education

Tight control of government and various regulatory agencies

Emerging accreditation system

Salient Features of Indian Higher Education

Strengths of Indian Higher Education System

It produces a large number of graduates; many of them are of high quality

It is cost effective

It is on the path of reforms

Contd…

Educational sector is not for profit, at least de jure

Private sector is transforming elite education into mass education

It is characterized by inclusion and equity

Weaknesses of Higher Education in India

School system is unable to supply high quality students

Research culture is still in a nascent stage

Private sector does not have wherewithal to support research and scholarship

Contd…

Institutional autonomy is weak

Internationalization is at low ebb Governance of HE institutions is weak; Overlap of Governance and management

Interface of institutions with the industry is superficial

Mechanisms of Government Control

Education is in the concurrent list

Control by central government

Education policies Regulatory agencies Academic and research funding

Control by State Governments

Permission to commence institutions and programmes General supervision from time to time Private university act Control of colleges through state universities Fee regulatory committee Admission committee for professional courses Admission committee for medical and paramedical courses Conduct of entrance examinations Power of legislation

General Regulatory Agencies in India

Main Regulators University Grants Commission All India Council for Technical

Education

Discipline Regulators Bar Council of India Pharmacy Council of India Council of Architecture Medical Council of India (and related

bodies) And many more

Central Government Owned self-regulatory institutions

Indian Institutes of TechnologyIndian Institutes of Information Technology

National Institute of Technology

Indian Institutes of Management

Indian Institute of ScienceIndian Institutes of Science Education and Research

Schools of Planning and ArchitectureOther Institutions

74 Institutesof National Importance

Strengths and Weaknesses of Self-regulated central government institutions

Strengths Resource rich A section of students is quite

talented Government support Freedom to develop their own

regulations

Weaknesses Lagging behind in research compared to

their global counterparts Good amount of faculty positions vacant Government control almost on

everything; weak governance Slow to adapt to emerging challenges Perfunctory leadership

Strengths and Weaknesses of State Higher Education Institutions

Strengths Almost free education Inclusive Regionally balanced Involvement of various stakeholders Able to attract meritorious students

Weaknesses Highly political systems Resource starved Poor work culture Slow on reforms Complacent and non-competitive

Strengths and Weaknesses of State Private Higher Education Institutions

Strengths Focus on professional education Continuous improvement Competitive Flexible and adaptable

Weaknesses Lack of competent faculty Below par infrastructure Family managed Average quality of education De facto profit oriented Short-termism

Futures Trends in Higher Education System

Proportion of private sector will increase

Indian HE system would find it quite difficult to compete with the western HE system

Size and diversity of Indian HE system would continue to increase

Conclusions

Biggest but also one of the most fragile HE system• GER is still below compared to BRICS countries• Quality remains a serious concernLack of resources• Governments do not have funds• Most institutions in the private sector are interested in

profiteeringAccess and inclusion at the cost of excellence• Excellence is concern of none• Populism and short-termism are hurting excellence