After Reading This Article You Can Solve This UPSC Mains Model Question:
Higher education has emerged as a key arena for negotiating federalism in India. Examine the factors contributing to increasing central influence in higher education governance and discuss how cooperative federalism can be strengthened while maintaining national standards and State autonomy. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
Context
- Higher education has become an important area where the changing nature of Indian federalism is clearly visible. Issues such as control over regulations, language policy, curriculum design, funding, and digital education have made higher education not just an educational matter but also a constitutional and political issue.
- As a result, the way higher education is governed now reflects wider debates about how powers should be shared between the Union and State governments.
The Constitutional Matrix of Education
The governance of education in India is a delicate constitutional balancing act:
- The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976: Shifted ‘Education’ from the State List (List II) to the Concurrent List (List III). This gave both the Union and State legislatures the authority to enact laws, with Union legislation prevailing in case of conflict (Article 254).
- Union List Entries: The Centre derives substantial control over higher education from Entry 66 of the Union List (List I), which mandates the Union to handle the “coordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions.”
Importance of Higher Education in India
- Human Capital Development: Higher education equips India’s youth with advanced skills and knowledge, supporting innovation, productivity, and long-term economic growth.
- Expanding Access to Opportunities: Higher education enrolment reached 4.33 crore students in 2021–22 (as per AISHE report), reflecting growing access to educational and career opportunities.
- Promoting Social Inclusion: Enrolment of SC, ST, OBC, and women students has risen significantly, making higher education a key instrument of social mobility.
- Strengthening Research and Innovation: As per AISHE data, Ph.D. enrolment increased by over 81% since 2014–15, helping build India’s research, innovation, and knowledge economy.
- Enhancing Global Competitiveness: India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education reached 28.4%, with NEP 2020 targeting 50% by 2035 to strengthen global competitiveness.
Key Challenges to Quality Higher Education in India
1. Regulatory Overhauls and Legislative Restructuring
- Replacing Legacies: Legislative frameworks like the proposed Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill aim to restructure the regulatory architecture by replacing existing bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC).
- State Apprehensions: States view these central statutory structures as a gradual erosion of their legislative autonomy and a mechanism to enforce a homogenized curriculum.
- The Vice-Chancellor (VC) Tussle: Friction frequently arises over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors and the powers of Governors (as Chancellors), as seen in disputes in states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and West Bengal.
2. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
- Language Impositions: Recommendations within policies like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020—such as the three-language formula—frequently face resistance. States like Tamil Nadu view centralized language directives as an infringement on regional identity and state autonomy.
3. Financial Centralisation
- Reform-Linked Funding: States often receive central funding for higher education only if they implement reforms recommended by the Union government.
- Central Initiatives: Schemes like the Institutions of Eminence (IoE) and funding through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) increase the Centre’s influence over state universities by providing grants and research support.
4. Digital Governance and Structural Homogenization
- Technological Architecture: Mandated mechanisms like the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and unified digital tracking frameworks centralize student data and academic mobility protocols.
- While these platforms improve efficiency and student mobility, they also enhance central oversight of the higher education system.
5. Inequality in Access and Regional Disparities
- University Density (per 1 lakh eligible students): Highest in Sikkim (10.3), Arunachal Pradesh (5.6), Ladakh (5.2), etc.
- In Bihar (0.2), UP (0.3), West Bengal & Maharashtra (0.6) the density is below national average.
- Uneven Access: Access to quality higher education remains highly unequal across regions and socio-economic groups, limiting educational opportunities for many students.
- Persistent Regional Gaps: Despite the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) rising to 28.4% in 2021–22, enrollment remains concentrated in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, while states like Bihar and Odisha continue to lag behind.
6. Suboptimal Research
- Low Expenditure: There is low expenditure on R&D by Government (around 0.7% of GDP), far below the 2-3% benchmark seen in countries like the U.S. and South Korea.
Key Initiatives for Quality Higher Education
| Focus Area | Initiative / Scheme | Core Objective & Impact |
| 1. Budget 2025–26 Initiatives | PM Research Fellows (PMRF) | Targets 10,000 fellows to boost high-quality doctoral research and innovation. |
| IIT Expansion | Adds 6,500 new seats in second-generation IITs to expand access to premier technical education. | |
| 2. Assessment & Ranking | NAAC (National Assessment & Accreditation Council) | Evaluates and accredits Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) based on rigorous quality standards. |
| NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) | Ranks Indian institutions using a standardized framework to foster healthy competition. | |
| 3. Infrastructure Development | HEFA (Higher Education Financing Agency) | Provides financial leverage to fund modern infrastructure and advanced research facilities. |
| NDEAR (National Digital Education Architecture) | Establishes and strengthens the nation’s digital education infrastructure and ecosystem. | |
| PM-USHA (Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) | Drives strategic funding and quality improvement in State universities and colleges. | |
| 4. Research & Innovation | ANRF (Anusandhan National Research Foundation) | Serves as an apex body to seed, grow, and promote nationwide R&D across institutions. |
| SPARC | Facilitates academic excellence by encouraging joint research collaborations with top global universities. | |
| 5. Employability & Skills | NCrF (National Credit Framework) | Seamlessly integrates academic, vocational, and experiential learning into a unified credit system. |
| PM Internship Scheme | Enhances youth employability by targeting 1 crore internships over a five-year period. |
Measures to Address Challenges
1. Infrastructure, Academic and Faculty Reforms
- Upgrading infrastructure, improving curriculum, and strengthening faculty development can enhance educational quality.
- Initiatives like Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) support the modernization of higher education institutions.
2. Greater State Representation in Higher Education Governance
- Increasing the participation of States in regulatory bodies such as the University Grants Commission can promote cooperative federalism and address regional concerns.
3. Quality Learning Resources in Local Languages
- Providing quality textbooks and study materials in regional languages can improve accessibility and inclusiveness.
- Institutions like National Council of Educational Research and Training have expanded educational resources in multiple Indian languages.
4. Enhanced Financial Support
- Greater public investment and student financial assistance can make higher education more affordable and accessible.
- Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Vidya Lakshmi Karyakram help students access educational loans.
5. Strategic Adaptation and Negotiated Federalism
- Centre–State relations in higher education are not solely marked by conflict.
- Instead, many States have adopted a pragmatic approach by selectively implementing national reforms that align with their developmental priorities while opposing measures perceived to undermine State autonomy.
- This demonstrates the emergence of negotiated federalism, where cooperation and accommodation coexist with disagreement.
6. Internationalisation as a Common Goal
- The internationalisation of higher education has emerged as an area of convergence between the Centre and the States.
- Several States are actively positioning themselves as regional education hubs by encouraging collaborations with foreign universities and research institutions.
- Higher education is increasingly viewed as a driver of global competitiveness, economic development, and knowledge creation.
7. Encouraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)
- Collaboration between the government and private sector can improve infrastructure, innovation, and educational outcomes.
- Successful PPP models have been adopted by institutions such as the Delhi Public School Society.
Conclusion
The higher education debate reflects the evolving nature of Indian federalism. A balanced approach that combines national standards with State autonomy through cooperation, consultation, and constitutional balance is essential for achieving both educational excellence and federal harmony.