Interim Budget 2024-25 - A Blow to Public-Funded Higher Education

The University Grants Commission (UGC) finds itself at the epicenter of this financial maelstrom, facing a staggering 61 percent reduction in allocations, from Rs. 6,409 Crore in 2023-24 (RE) to a meager Rs. 2,500 Crore in 2024-25 (BE).

The recently unveiled Interim Union Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 has sent shockwaves through the education sector, particularly with its implications for public-funded Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). As an education analyst and former president of DUTA & FEDCUTA, I find myself compelled to voice concerns over what appears to be a significant departure from the principles of accessible and affordable education.

NEP 2020 Implementation

Aditya Narayan Misra argues that the budget is a "mature and full-blown step" in the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The policy, touted for its transformative vision, seems to be veering towards a model that places a heavier reliance on private players and educational loans, potentially leaving a large segment of Indian youth vulnerable to financial strain.

Severe Fund Cuts

Misra's analysis highlights a disturbing trend in successive budgets, indicating a systematic dismantling of public-funded universities and HEIs. The budget for higher education has seen a substantial reduction, dropping from Rs. 57,244 Crores in the revised estimates of 2023-24 to Rs. 46,619 Crore in the interim budget of 2024-25 – a staggering Rs 10,625 Crore cut, nearly one-fifth of the previous allocation.

UGC and the Struggle for Survival

The University Grants Commission (UGC) finds itself at the epicenter of this financial maelstrom, facing a staggering 61 percent reduction in allocations, from Rs. 6,409 Crore in 2023-24 (RE) to a meager Rs. 2,500 Crore in 2024-25 (BE). Misra points out that this trajectory is reminiscent of 2016 when UGC witnessed a budget cut of more than 55 percent. The grant-making body, once boasting allocations exceeding 10,000 crores, now faces virtual extinction.

Shift to Regulatory Role and Implications of HECI

Misra's commentary delves into the transformation of UGC from a 'grant-allocation role' to primarily a regulatory body, signaling the imminent unveiling of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI). This shift, as Misra warns, historically aligns with privatization trends witnessed in sectors like telecom, insurance, and electricity.

The Grave Impact on Inclusiveness

In conclusion, Misra contends that this budget falls drastically short of the expectations of fund-starved public higher education institutions. The overarching narrative suggests a governmental pivot towards a private-player-driven education model, potentially compromising the much-needed inclusiveness of higher education in India.

As debates unfold and stakeholders grapple with the implications of this budget, the trajectory of higher education in India hangs in the balance, prompting a critical examination of the priorities and values driving these fiscal decisions.

By--Aditya Narayan Misra, National Incharge, Academic for Action and Development Delhi Teachers' Association (AADTA) & Former President DUTA & FEDCUTA