The Scenario of Higher Education in India; challenge and elucidation

The role of the higher education in the national development is well established. A significant growth in this sector has been observed in the last six decades. The fact is Indian Higher Education System Network is largest in the world with maximum number of affiliated and constituent colleges or institutions. This has also contributed significantly in the economic growth of the India. When India introduced its first five year plan there were 28 Universities, 695 colleges and 1,74000 students in comparison of today’s more than 700 universities and 36,000 affiliated colleges enrolling nearly 30 million students which makes about 18 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education in India, the scene is quite complex. With all these institutions, nearly 86 per cent of students are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs with about 74 per cent enrolling in three-year B.A., B.Com. or B.Sc. degrees. One-sixth of all Indian students are enrolled in engineering/technology degrees. Education, medicine, agriculture, veterinary science and law all together accounts for less than 10 per cent of total enrolment. About 12 per cent students pursue post graduate studies whereas only 2 per cent are enrolled in doctoral degree and other diploma programs. Still the higher education system is passing through turbulent time and facing many challenges. The gross enrollment ratio of India is is very low in comparison with other countries eg. China more than 23%, UK 57% and US with 83%. Recently a report released by MHRD clarified that, the country's Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) has grown to 18.8%. Encouraging as it may seem, still there is plenty of reasons to believe that there is still a long way to go in attaining excellence in higher education and a number of loopholes still need to be plugged in. on some areas India have performed well but there are areas where it is still lagging behind. There exists a major policy deficit in the country that is curbing the development in higher education. Even though there are a number of committees and commissions set up like the National Knowledge Commission and the Yashpal Committee, the implementation of the recommendations of these commissions happens at snail's pace. The central government funding on education is less than 1% of GDP. The government sponsored capacity building in not sufficient to meet the emerging need for higher education. At present 30 million students are enrolled in higher education sector. According to FICCI-E&Y report to achieve 30% gross enrolment rate (GER) over the next decade the country would need an additional capacity to cater to 25 million new seats. The extra capacity generation would need an extra Rs. 10 lakh crores by 2020. At the current budgetary allocation for education, the funds would be insufficient. Private sector can bridge the gap in budgetary allocation and required allocation. Further, The success of private institutions in USA, Japan, and Malaysia are a good example of positive contribution of private players in higher education. The private sector led to increase of gross enrolment rate (GER) during the period from 1999 to 2008, from 71% to 83% in USA. In Japan it increased from 45% to 58%. In Malaysia it increased from 28% to 32%.