This presentation examines the structure of higher education in India and the mechanisms of its regulation. It also captures future trends of Indian higher education.

1. Ecosystem of Higher
Education in India
ANUP K SINGH, PH D

2. 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)

3. 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%)

4. 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

5. Ownership
Government
State
UGC regulated
University College
Central - HRD
Ministry
Self-regulated
institutions
IITs, IIMs, etc.
UGC regulated
University
Deemed to be
University
Central - Other
Ministries
Self-regulated
institutions
Non-
Government
Self-financed
University
State private
Deemed to be
University
College
Grant-in-aid

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Mechanisms of Government Control

12. Control by central government
 Education policies
 Regulatory agencies
 Academic and research funding

13. 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

14. 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

15. Central Government Owned self-regulatory institutions
Indian Institutes of Technology
Indian Institutes of Information Technology
National Institute of Technology
Indian Institutes of Management
Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research
Schools of Planning and Architecture
Other Institutions
74 Institutes
of National
Importance

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Conclusions
Biggest but also one of the most fragile HE system
• GER is still below compared to BRICS countries
• Quality remains a serious concern
Lack of resources
• Governments do not have funds
• Most institutions in the private sector are interested in profiteering
Access and inclusion at the cost of excellence
• Excellence is concern of none
• Populism and short-termism are hurting excellence