upscvision.org
upscvision.org/
3️⃣
Forum IAS CA Classes/
✅
Higher Education
Search
✅

Higher Education

Data / Reports
All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) Report - Ministry of Education
Key Highlights:
  1. Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER):
      • Current GER stands at 27.3%.
      • A deeper analysis reveals variations in GER across different social groups. This implies that while the average GER is 27.3%, the percentage might differ when considering specific social or demographic groups.
  1. Growth in Universities:
      • Since the academic year 2014-15, there's been a 46% increase in the number of universities in India.
      • Specifically, the northeastern region has seen a substantial growth with over 190 new higher education institutions being established.
  1. Preference for Government Universities:
      • Government universities constitute about 59% of the total universities.
      • Interestingly, these government universities account for a whopping 73% of the total student enrollment. This demonstrates a strong preference for government institutions among students seeking higher education.
      💡 Insight: A unique paradox observed in the Indian education system is the contrasting preference for private institutions at the school level and government institutions for higher education. This could be attributed to the perceived value, affordability, and reputation of government universities at the collegiate level.
  1. Gender Dynamics in Enrolment:
      • The percentage of female students enrolling in higher education has seen a rise. Currently, girls constitute 49% of the total enrollment, marking an improvement from the previous figure of 45%.
Overall Analysis:
While the enrollment rate in higher education remains comparatively low, there's a noticeable demand for government-run institutions. This increasing demand underscores the need for further expanding and diversifying higher education institutions. Such an expansion is pivotal for the massification of higher education, a term that refers to the democratization and large-scale expansion of higher education opportunities, making it accessible and affordable to a broader segment of the population.
Academic Issues in Higher Education
Enrollment Concerns
  • Current Scenario: India faces a challenge with low enrollment in higher education.
  • Comparative Analysis: In contrast, China had a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 25.65% in 2011, which surged to 50% by 2018.
  • Strategies Adopted by China: This leap in GER was made possible by China's strategy to open its doors to foreign universities, leading to increased regulation and competition.
  • India's Advantage: India's strength lies in its young workforce, but this demographic dividend can only be harnessed with a robust higher education system.
Employability Challenges
  • Engineers' Employability: According to the National Employability Report, over 80% of Indian engineers are deemed unfit for jobs in the knowledge economy. This is concerning, given that we are transitioning into a post-knowledge society that prioritizes innovation.
  • Workforce Entry: As per the World Economic Forum, a massive 13 million individuals join the Indian workforce annually.
  • Skill Gap: The gap between academic knowledge and industry-required skills remains a significant concern.
Capitation Fees & Campus Discrimination
  • Exclusionary Practices: The current structure of higher education in India tends to exclude the economically disadvantaged and marginalized sections.
  • Application Sale Model: The revenue model of selling applications often doesn't benefit the educational institutions in the long run.
  • Legal Decisions:
    • In the TMA Pai case, the Supreme Court recognized the administrative, academic, and financial autonomy of unaided institutions.
    • The PA Inamdar Case in 2005 led the Supreme Court to introduce the triple test for professional college admissions, emphasizing fairness, transparency, and non-exploitation.
      • Note: This triple test differs from the "three-fold test" related to the right to privacy as mentioned in the Justice Puttaswamy case.
The Six Shortages in Higher Education
  • Disciplinary Shortages: Many institutions lack faculty across all departments, leading to incomplete curriculum delivery.
  • Financial Shortages: There's an acute lack of funds dedicated to enhancing infrastructure and recruiting high-quality faculty.
  • Institutional Unwillingness: Some institutions, driven by profit motives, are unwilling to invest in necessary improvements.
  • Reservation-based Shortages: Due to the reservation system, there's a decreased pool of candidates, leading to vacancies in various disciplines and positions.
  • Location-based Shortages: Certain regions and areas lack adequate educational institutions, leading to a disparity in access.
  • Qualitative Shortages: There's a deficiency in the availability of quality faculty and teaching methodologies, which hampers the overall education quality.
NIRF Ranking Issues in Higher Education
Understanding the NIRF Ranking System in Higher Education
National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Overview
NIRF evaluates Higher Education Institutions (HEI) based on five key parameters:
  1. Teacher Learner Resources (TLR): This assesses the quality and quantity of the faculty relative to the student body.
  1. Research and Professional Practice: Evaluates the research capabilities, publications, and professional practice undertaken by the institution.
  1. Graduation Outcomes: Focuses on the success of students in terms of completion rates, placements, and higher studies.
  1. Outreach and Inclusivity: Gauges the institution's commitment to providing educational opportunities to students from varied backgrounds.
  1. Perception about the Institution: Captures the reputation and brand value of the institution in the educational ecosystem.
Concerns & Issues with NIRF Ranking System
  1. Limited Participation:
      • Although there are around 40,000 HEIs, only about 5,000 participate in the NIRF ranking. This small sample size raises questions about the comprehensiveness of the survey.
  1. Geographical Disparity:
      • Participation is skewed towards urban institutions.
      • A notable statistic reveals that 81% of the top 100 HEIs, as per NIRF, are concentrated in just three states: Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Kerala.
  1. Public vs. Private Institutions:
      • The highest rank attained by a private institution is only the 15th position, indicating a potential disparity in the ranking methodology or the actual quality of education.
  1. Transparency Issues:
      • The faculty recruitment process, often based on a Part-Time (PT) model, lacks transparency.
      • Only 33% of HEIs adhere to the AICTE mandated student-teacher ratio of 20:1, emphasizing a gap in quality assurance.
  1. Entry Barriers:
      • Certain constraints, like an excessive focus on eligibility and seniority, can hinder the entry of talented individuals into the academic realm.
      • Proposals suggest introducing lateral entry and exit mechanisms to revitalize the academic workforce.
  1. Research Limitations:
      • There's a discernible dearth in research publications. Astonishingly, the top 100 HEIs contribute to 70% of the highly cited publications.
Insight into International Rankings
Using the QS World University Rankings as a reference:
  1. Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore:
      • Globally ranked 225th.
      • According to NIRF, it's the second-best institution in India.
  1. IIT Bombay:
      • Globally ranked 149th.
      • Tops the NIRF chart as the premier institution in India.
Question on NIRF
The question remains: Has the NIRF been effective in propelling the quality of Indian HEIs towards global benchmarks?
Initial Observations:
  • The limited participation in NIRF and the concentration of top HEIs in specific regions suggest potential regional biases or lack of awareness.
  • Disparities between NIRF and global rankings, like QS, hint at different criteria or emphasis in the ranking methodologies.
  • While NIRF aims to promote competitive spirit among HEIs in India, its effectiveness in truly benchmarking Indian institutions on a global scale requires a more in-depth analysis.
In conclusion, while the NIRF provides a national perspective on the quality of HEIs, aligning its criteria with global standards and addressing the aforementioned issues can bolster its effectiveness and global relevance.
IIM Amendment Bill 2023
IIM Amendment Bill 2023: An Overview and Analysis
Introduction:
The Lok Sabha has recently passed the IIM Amendment Bill 2023, which brings about certain changes to the functioning and governance of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
Historical Context:
Issues that led to this Amendment:
  1. Director's Controversial Appointment: The director of an IIM was re-appointed for a second term, even though there were objections from the government. The director was found lacking in the required credentials, which raised concerns about the appointment process.
  1. Separation of Accountabilities: As a response to the above issue, the Bill now demarcates the responsibilities between management and academic functions of IIMs:
      • Management Accountability: This will fall under the purview of the president of the IIM. The president will play a ceremonial role as a "visitor" overseeing appointments, removals, and various inquiries.
      • Academic Accountability: This remains vested with the IIM institution itself.
Change in Appointment System (2017-2023):
The Bill indicates a shift in the system of appointments at IIMs. Here's a closer look:
Pros:
  • Prevention of Mishaps: The new system aims to ensure that situations like the aforementioned appointment of an unqualified director can be averted in the future.
Concerns:
  1. Potential Compromise on Autonomy: There are apprehensions that this move might compromise the autonomy of higher educational institutions (HEIs).
  1. Need for Comprehensive Autonomy: For an institution to function at its optimum, there's a need for administrative, academic, and financial autonomy. The Bill's provisions might restrict these, leading to potential inefficiencies.
Concluding Remarks:
While the IIM Amendment Bill 2023 has been introduced with the intent of refining the governance of IIMs and preventing discrepancies, it's crucial to balance these aims without jeopardizing the autonomy of the institutes. The ongoing debate will likely focus on striking this balance to ensure that the IIMs continue to serve as premier management institutions, both nationally and globally.
UGC Draft on Allowing Foreign University in India
Internationalisation of Higher Education: UGC Draft on Allowing Foreign Universities in India
Introduction
The University Grants Commission (UGC) in India released a draft with the objective of allowing foreign universities to set up their campuses in India, fostering internationalisation of higher education.
Key Conditions of the Draft
  1. Full-time Offline Programs: Foreign universities that wish to establish campuses in India must offer full-time offline programs.
  1. Administrative and Financial Autonomy: These universities will have the liberty to decide their administrative processes, fee structures, and faculty recruitment strategies.
  1. Compliance with UGC Guidelines: It's imperative for these institutions to ensure transparency, maintain quality benchmarks, and adhere to the guidelines and conditions set by the UGC, which may evolve over time.
Potential Benefit
  1. Enhancement of Education Quality: With international universities stepping in, there will likely be heightened competition, leading to an improvement in the quality of education in India.
  1. Prevention of Brain Drain: The presence of prestigious foreign institutions in India could retain talent that typically seeks education abroad.
  1. Economic Impacts: The outflow of foreign exchange due to students going abroad for studies might decrease. Moreover, allowing foreign universities can facilitate an inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country.
  1. Boosting Indian Universities: The international exposure can potentially aid Indian universities in their quest for global recognition and standards.
  1. Promotion of Internationalisation: This move can play a crucial role in the internationalisation of Indian higher education.
Concerns Raised
  1. Incentivizing Top Universities: There are concerns about how India can attract the world's top universities, considering they might not find enough incentives to set up campuses in India.
  1. Commercialization of Education: There's a potential risk of education becoming overly commercialized, leading to capitation fees. This goes against the Supreme Court's judgment regarding the triple test in educational standards and affordability.
  1. Effectiveness of Import Substitution: Merely replicating foreign education models might not always cater to the specific needs and challenges of Indian students.
  1. Regulatory Concessions: Prestigious institutions may seek special favors or autonomy from the government, which could result in reduced oversight and regulation.
  1. Cultural Influences: There's a possibility that foreign universities might push their cultural narratives, leading to what some term as "cultural propaganda".
Way Forward
  1. Improvement in Global Rankings: Indian institutes should strive to improve their standings in global rankings like Times Now and QS Ranking.
  1. Establish Indian Institutions Abroad: India can also take steps to set up its educational institutions in foreign countries.
  1. Scholarship Programs: India should consider launching scholarship programs akin to the Fulbright (USA), Chevening (UK), or the Chinese Scholarship Council to promote global exchange.
  1. Institutional Collaborations: Encouraging collaborations and exchange programs between Indian and foreign institutions can prove beneficial.
  1. Recommendations by the K Radhakrishnan Committee:
      • Promote Brand India: By establishing self-sufficient offshore campuses in foreign countries.
      • Recruitment of Quality Faculties: The government should reduce entry barriers and introduce models like lateral entry and exit to ensure quality faculty.
      • Focus on STEM: Emphasis should be placed on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
  1. POP Initiative by UGC: UGC's 'Professor of Practice' initiative, based on the lateral entry and exit model, is designed to bridge the gap between industry and academia. This is particularly crucial in today's knowledge-driven society.
Question
Question:
Higher Education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions will help improve the higher education sector of the country?
Answer:
Certainly, the entry of foreign educational institutions can serve as a catalyst for the transformation of India's higher education landscape. Here's why:
  1. Enhancement of Education Quality: The presence of established foreign universities can promote competition. This competition can incentivize both foreign and domestic institutions to maintain and elevate their academic standards, ultimately benefiting the students.
  1. International Exposure: The incorporation of global best practices, pedagogies, and curricula can provide students with an education that aligns with international benchmarks without them having to leave the country.
  1. Infrastructure and Research Improvements: Renowned foreign universities often emphasize state-of-the-art infrastructure and research facilities. Their entry might encourage a culture of research and innovation in the country.
  1. Economic Benefits: With students not needing to travel abroad for quality education, the country could save on significant foreign exchange outflows. Moreover, these institutions might bring in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), thus boosting the economy.
  1. Skill Development: These universities often have strong ties with industries globally. Their presence could mean better internship opportunities, industry-academia collaborations, and employability-focused courses for students.
However, it's also essential to consider potential challenges:
  1. Cultural Nuances: Foreign institutions need to ensure that they understand and incorporate India's diverse cultural and socio-economic contexts in their teaching methodologies.
  1. Affordability: There's a concern that the entry of foreign institutions could lead to increased commercialization of education, making it less accessible to a broader segment of the population.
  1. Regulation and Oversight: It's vital that these institutions adhere to UGC guidelines and maintain transparency and quality in their operations.
In conclusion, while the entry of foreign educational institutions has the potential to revamp and uplift India's higher education sector, a balanced approach, taking into account both the benefits and challenges, will be crucial.
Govt Bill on NRF - National Research Foundation
News
The Parliament recently passed the NRF Bill, a landmark development highlighting the pressing need to bolster research and development (R&D) in India, especially in the context of a post-knowledge society. R&D is pivotal for maintaining geopolitical and geoeconomic power, particularly as the world transitions through the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
What is NRF
Definition: NRF is an apex body established to promote and mentor research in higher education institutions in India.
  1. Objectives:
      2. Foster a culture of innovation and research.
  1. Key Features of NRF:
      2. Governance:
      • The Governing Board is presided over by the Prime Minister.
      • An Executive Council, chaired by the principal scientific advisor to the government of India, aids in its operations.
      Funding:
      • Current Funding: The corpus stands at 50,000 crore.
      • Funding Projection: Over the next five years, contributions will come from both public and private sectors.
      • Note: NRF has subsumed SERM (Science and Engineering Research Board).
      • Private Sector Contribution: Additional funding is expected from the private sector through mechanisms like CSR (with a mandatory requirement of 2% contribution).
      Primary Focus Areas:
      1. Capacity Building in Universities & Colleges:
          • Aim: Broadening of research by providing mentor support to budding researchers.
      1. Promotion of Cutting-Edge Research:
          • Objective: Nurture excellence in innovative technologies across all disciplines. Emphasis is on research areas with significant social impact.
          • Examples: Research related to climate adaptation, mitigation efforts, green energy, and current events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
          • Digital Public Infrastructure: Highlighting the importance of platforms like UPI, ONDC, DIKSHA, SWAYAM, and DigiLocker
NRF is Inspired From
  • Inspiration: The NRF is modeled after the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the USA.
  • Relevance of NSF: The NSF is globally recognized as the gold standard for open research.
Relevant Data & Reports
  1. Global Innovation Index by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation):
      2. In the 2022-23 assessment, India achieved the 40th position, a significant improvement from its rank of 81 in 2014-15.
  1. Investment in R&D as a Percentage of GDP:
      2. India's current R&D expenditure stands at approximately 0.7% of its GDP.
      For a comparative perspective:
      • UAE, China, and South Korea have better rankings.
      • USA: Invests over 2% of its GDP in R&D.
      • China: Also commits over 2% of its GDP to R&D.
      • Israel: Leads with an investment of more than 4% of its GDP in R&D.
  1. Researchers per Million Population:
      • India boasts 253 researchers per million of its population.
      • In contrast:
        • China: 1,200 researchers per million.
        • USA: 4,000 researchers per million.
        • Israel: 8,000 researchers per million.
  1. Public vs. Private Investment in R&D:
      • In India, the public sector contributes to 52% of R&D investment, while in the USA, over 70% of R&D funding comes from private entities.
Significance of R&D
Research and Development catalyzes innovation, which in turn leads to:
  1. Enhanced Productivity: R&D drives industries to innovate, optimize processes, and thus increase overall productivity.
  1. Good Governance: Pioneering digital public infrastructures in India, such as Aadhar, UPI, CoWin, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), have transformed governance. The move towards creating an Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) counters the duopoly in e-commerce, further emphasizing the role of innovation.
  1. Socio-Economic Development: R&D paves the way for advancements in healthcare, addressing neglected tropical diseases, and promoting overall well-being.
  1. Propelling the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR): Without continuous innovation, the potential of the 4IR, which heavily relies on data-driven approaches and interconnected technologies, may remain untapped. It's worth noting a comment by Boris Johnson during the COVID-19 crisis, implying that human greed, reflected in the race for innovation and development, played a role in the global response to the pandemic.
Shifting R&D Regime and Positives of NRF
  1. From Separation to Union:
      • Earlier: There was a distinct separation of research from higher education.
      • Now: A union of higher education and research is being promoted.
  1. Boosting Collaboration:
      • Earlier: There was a noticeable lack of collaboration among sectors.
      • Now: NRF is emphasizing AGI collaboration, meaning a holistic collaboration between Academia, Government, and Industry.
  1. From Siloed to Multi-faceted Approach:
      • Earlier: Research often had a siloed disciplinary approach.
      • Now: There's an emphasis on a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional collaboration approach.
Present Challenges in R&D in India
  1. Low R&D Spending:
      • Current Situation: The expenditure on Research and Development (R&D) is only 0.7%.
      • Significance: Adequate R&D investment is crucial for technological advancements, innovation, and overall growth of a country.
  1. Agriculture & R&D:
      • Observation: Agriculture is a data-intensive sector that benefits immensely from R&D.
      • Innovation: There's a need for innovations like Precision Farming to make agriculture more efficient.
  1. Deficit in Research Universities:
      • Current Scenario: There's a limited number of research universities in India.
      • Underlying Issue: There exists an artificial separation between higher education universities and research institutes in India.
      • Proposed Solution: A possible solution is the integration of broad-based research in colleges. Research institutes should merge with higher educational institutions. This is where the National Research Foundation (NRF) becomes relevant.
  1. Research Output:
      • Situation: There's a noticeable lower research output. A significant 70% of research comes from the top 100 universities.
      • Comparative Analysis: Compared to other countries, the number of researchers per million in India is significantly lower.
  1. Siloed Disciplinary Approach:
      • Challenge: Current research often follows a siloed disciplinary approach.
      • Need: For effective research and innovation, a multidisciplinary approach is essential.
  1. Collaboration Deficit:
      • Issue: There's a lack of multi-institutional collaborations.
      • Significance: Collaboration between various institutions can lead to comprehensive research and better results.
  1. Government E-Marketplace Concerns:
      • Concept: Government e-marketplace is an online platform for the government to procure products.
      • Issues:
        • Scientists often don't get quality high-end products.
        • There are significant delays in the procurement process.
  1. Lack of Collaboration:
      • Challenge: There's a lack of collaboration between academia, research, and the industry.
      • Solution: Better conducive environments and workflows are required in both legislation and the executive to foster collaboration.
Challenges to be Addressed
  1. Political Factors:
    1. Funding:
        • Raising the research funding to more than the current 2% is a challenge. Ensuring sustainable and adequate funding is pivotal for R&D.
        • The lack of political will and potential political interference can hinder the progress and independence of research.
    2. Public Willingness:
        • Boosting the willingness of the common public to engage in or support research is essential.
    3. Availability of Expertise:
        • There's a scarcity of experienced mentors and researchers, which can limit the scope and depth of research projects.
    4. Dependence on CSR:
        • Over-reliance on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for funding might not be sustainable in the long run.
    5. Education System:
        • It's crucial to improve school curricula to foster a research mindset from an early age.
    6. Gender Inequality in STEM:
        • Addressing the disparities in the participation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is crucial. This will tackle both disciplinary and gender inequality.
    7. Patent & IPR Regimes:
        • Current Concern: There have been complaints about a not-so-strong patent regime in the country.
        • Solution: Streamlining processes like compulsory licensing is necessary. Developed countries are advocating for secondary licensing.
      • Note on Evergreening: Currently, India is not supportive of patent evergreening.
Conclusion
Constitutional Mandate: Article 51 A H of the Indian Constitution emphasizes the need to develop a scientific temper. It's a part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), which means it's a constitutional duty for every citizen to cultivate this temper
Question
"India's aspiration to become a developed nation and assume the role of 'Vishwaguru' hinges on its commitment to innovation and substantial investment in research. In light of this, assess the establishment of the National Research Foundation (NRF) and its potential impact on enhancing the national research ecosystem."
Copyright 2022 UPSC Vision