India has a higher education system that is growing but still lagging behind other countries. There are over 600 universities in India, both public and private, but the top-ranked Indian universities still only rank in the mid-500s globally. Critical issues facing India's higher education include many students going abroad after completing their degrees, private institutions prioritizing business over education, and the quota system lowering overall quality by restricting admissions. Improvements discussed are increasing experienced faculty not subject to quotas, reducing political interference, and bringing more transparency to admissions.