Higher Education in India: Challenges and Opportunities

In India, the higher education scene has swiftly evolved, especially in the past two decades. This rapid progress has been primarily attributed to the various initiatives, undertaken by the private sector. However, these advancements have also been a matter of concern, regarding their standard and exploitation. The government has been repeatedly contradictory and inconsistent, in defining the role of private sector in higher education. Such an approach has resulted in chaotic and unplanned growth. The attempts to uphold standards and check exploitation, by the regulatory bodies have proved futile. Nevertheless, the system is responsible for the numerous formidable entry barriers, which have resulted in underside results. Private players in the education sector are reluctant to undergo voluntary accreditation, and are therefore, pointless for its stakeholders. Since independence, the higher education system in India has escalated new heights. [1] By 1980 itself, the number of universities and colleges in the country grew to 132 and 4738, respectively. These institutions catered to around five percent of the eligible age group population. Today, it has grown by leaps and bounds. In terms of enrollment alone, India ranks third in the world (after China and the USA). India ranks first, with regard to the number of institutions, with 348 universities and 17625 colleges. The types of universities and colleges catering to higher education, vary with the country. The variation may be academic, administrative or financial. Universities are permitted under an Act of Parliament (central universities), or by the state legislatures (state universities). In addition, a few higher education institutions are granted the ‘deemed university' status, by the central government, through gazette notifications. The Parliament/state legislatures may also designate certain institutions, as having national importance. However, all these institutes of higher learning are permitted to grant degrees. The higher education system in India, has developed in a chaotic and unplanned manner. The drive to make higher education, socially inclusive has led to a sudden and dramatic increase, in numbers of institutions without a proportionate increase in material and intellectual resources. This has resulted in a drop in academic standards. In addition, there is an inadequacy with regard to infrastructure and facilities. Higher education institutions, have large vacancies in faculty positions, employ poor faculty and use outmoded teaching methods. This has resulted in declining research standards, unmotivated students, overcrowded classrooms and widespread geographic, income, gender and ethnic divides. Most institutions do not receive financial support, from either the government or the society. This is more, so among colleges established in rural areas, as they are non-viable, are under–enrolled, have poor infrastructure and facilities and employ only a few teachers. The system of higher education has met further impediments within its regulatory framework. The much debated and controversial move of privatization of higher educational institutions, has also been a stumbling block to its flourishment. These fundamental concerns are identified and addressed in the paper.