The Ministry of Education has highlighted the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), reaffirming the Government of India's commitment to expanding access, equity, and excellence in higher education across states and Union Territories. With a total outlay of ₹12,926.10 crore, PM-USHA aims to strengthen higher education institutions, particularly in educationally underserved regions, by improving infrastructure, enhancing academic quality, and increasing access to quality education. The scheme has been extended until 31 March 2028, ensuring continued financial and institutional support for higher education reforms aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Ministry also shared key achievements in India's higher education sector. According to the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023–24, the country now has 7,944 government colleges, while the number of registered Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) has increased from 51,534 in 2014–15 to 64,756 in 2023–24. Total student enrolment has grown from 3.4 crore to nearly 4.5 crore, marking an increase of 31.5% over the past decade. Enrolment among Scheduled Caste (SC) students has risen from 46.67 lakh to 69.7 lakh (an increase of 51.4%), while Scheduled Tribe (ST) student enrolment has grown from 16.41 lakh to 28.8 lakh, reflecting a 75.7% increase. The Ministry stated that these developments demonstrate the government's continued efforts to make higher education more inclusive, accessible, and equitable for students across all regions and communities in India.
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