Higher Education Budget Sees Up to 11% YoY Growth; Funding Gaps Persist Amid Calls for 6% GDP Allocation
There have been significant budget fluctuations in schemes like IMPRINT and IMPRESS, which saw drastic cuts, while RUSA/PM USHA witnessed an increase.
Funding of UGC has also gone down significantly
The Government of India has steadily increased its expenditure on higher education, with allocations rising by up to 11% year-on-year (YoY) over the past five years. According to data presented in the Rajya Sabha by the Education Ministry, the total expenditure on higher education by the Centre and States/UTs reached ₹3,02,086 crore in 2021-22, up from ₹2,12,458 crore in 2017-18. However, spending on higher education remains well below the 6% of GDP recommended by various education committees and experts, raising concerns about funding adequacy.
Higher Education Expenditure Trends
The following table highlights the total expenditure on higher education and the percentage of GDP spent by the government from 2017-18 to 2021-22:
| Year |
Total Expenditure (₹ Crore) |
YoY Growth (%) |
% of GDP |
| 2017-18 |
2,12,458 |
- |
0.97 |
| 2018-19 |
2,51,748 |
18.5% |
0.96 |
| 2019-20 |
2,59,772 |
3.2% |
1.01 |
| 2020-21 |
2,73,176 |
5.1% |
1.04 |
| 2021-22 |
3,02,086 |
10.6% |
1.02 |
Key Initiatives to Improve Higher Education
The government has introduced several reforms to enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education, aiming to align with high-performing states like Tamil Nadu in Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) and Ph.D. research output. Key measures include:
- National Credit Framework (NCrF) and National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF) for standardized academic progression.
- Multiple Entry and Exit Options to provide flexibility in higher education.
- PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme for collateral-free education loans.
- Expansion of Online Education through SWAYAM and SWAYAM Plus for skill development.
- Integration of Technology via SAMARTH for efficient administration of HEIs.
- Academic Collaboration between Indian and foreign universities for joint and dual degree programs.
Higher Education Research Funding
Budget allocations for major higher education research schemes from 2019-20 to 2023-24 reveal significant funding fluctuations, with some schemes witnessing sharp declines:
| Scheme |
2019-20 (₹ Cr) |
2020-21 (₹ Cr) |
2021-22 (₹ Cr) |
2022-23 (₹ Cr) |
2023-24 (₹ Cr) |
| RUSA/PM USHA |
1,380 |
166 |
363.06 |
360.67 |
500 (↑) |
| IMPRINT |
53 |
0 (↓) |
3.54 |
10 (↑) |
1 (↓) |
| IMPRESS |
25.5 |
12 (↓) |
23 (↑) |
0.25 (↓) |
0 (↓) |
| UGC Major Research Projects |
3.11 |
0.2 |
1.35 |
0.94 |
1.13 |
| UGC Minor Research Projects |
2.64 |
0.08 |
0 |
0 |
0.005 |
Shift to ANRF for Research Funding
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been established under the ANRF Act 2023 to boost India's research ecosystem. This body is now the primary funding channel for research initiatives, replacing earlier schemes like IMPRESS and IMPRINT.
Conclusion
With up to 11% annual budget growth, the government has significantly expanded funding for higher education and research. However, the sharp cuts in research schemes and the continued low GDP spending raise concerns about long-term sustainability. Experts continue to call for an increase in higher education spending to 6% of GDP to meet global standards and strengthen India's academic and research landscape.
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