Government aims to increase GER in higher education to 50% by 2035: Union Minister
New Delhi, Jul 10, 2025 : The two-day Conference of Vice Chancellors of Central Universities began today at Kevadia, Gujarat, attended by Vice Chancellors of over 50 leading higher education institutions to review, evaluate and strategize the implementation of NPA 2020. Organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with Central University of Gujarat, the conference aims to consolidate and highlight the institutional progress of Central Universities in realizing the vision of Developed India 2047.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that India’s higher education ecosystem has undergone a fundamental transformation over the past decade, making it resilient, multi-disciplinary, inclusive and innovation driven. Shri Pradhan noted that as a result, total student enrolment has reached 4.46 crore, representing a growth of 30% over 2014-15, female enrolment has increased by 38% and female GER now exceeds male GER, PhD enrolment has almost doubled and female PhD scholarships have increased by 136%, GER for STs has increased by 10 percentage points while for SCs it has increased by over 8 percentage points. This reflects the Government’s commitment towards inclusive education and social justice. He also mentioned that positive policy initiatives have resulted in the establishment of over 1,200 universities and over 46,000 colleges, making India one of the largest systems globally.
During his address, Shri Pradhan highlighted the concept of Panch Sankalp of National Education Policy 2020 , which will be the guidelines for Vice Chancellors in Gurukuls of Universities. Its key themes are - Next Generation Emerging Education, Multidisciplinary Education, Innovative Education, Holistic Education and Indian Education. The Minister called upon the Vice Chancellors to bring about a transformation to implement the objectives of the Academic Triveni Sangam through the following objectives - Celebrating the Past (India's Prosperity), Assessing the Present (Improving India's Narrative) and Creating the Future (India's Role in the Global Order). This will ensure understanding the past, unravelling the present and unfolding the future in a contemporary framework.
Shri Pradhan emphasised that it is important to increase GER in higher education to 50% by 2035 by taking decisive action in key areas such as redesigning curriculum, creating digital systems, training faculty and promoting multi-disciplinary approach. To achieve this objective, it is imperative for Vice Chancellors to act as catalysts in shaping the mindset and aspirations of students. Shri Pradhan emphasised that universities must follow a “student-first” approach, students must be at the centre of all our reforms as they are the key to our national strength for the future. He called upon Vice Chancellors to ensure that the institutions being built for the future produce skilled and future-ready workforce and students are empowered to become job creators, social entrepreneurs and ethical innovators.
During his address, the Minister called upon the meeting attendees to prepare a strategy paper for the full implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 in every university. This should include the following: multi-disciplinary integration of subjects, mainstreaming Indian Knowledge System (IKS), formulating strategies for technology-driven education to promote skill development and up-skilling, campus initiatives focused on innovation and integration of technology with traditional values and conferences like Vice Chancellors' Conference should be organised in every university campus.
In his address, Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Gujarat, elaborated the “Six Principles” of Karmayoga and emphasized the role and significance of Indian knowledge systems in the life of an individual, society and nation. He called upon the participants to adopt these principles to achieve the goals and objectives of their lives.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Higher Education said that on the completion of five years of implementation of National Education Policy 2020, this conference provides us an opportunity to reflect on our progress and refine our roadmap towards achieving the vision of a holistic, multi-disciplinary and globally competitive higher education system. He also said that National Education Policy 2020 has presented an ambitious, yet achievable, vision for India’s higher education system—one that is rooted in access, equity, quality, affordability and accountability. It reimagines our institutions not as mere degree-granting bodies but as ecosystems of innovation, critical thinking, research and holistic development.
In his address, Dr. Sunil Barnwal, Additional Secretary, Higher Education, highlighted the role and importance of the five fundamental pillars of NEP 2020, namely access, equity, quality, affordability and accountability. He also emphasized the important role of stakeholder participation of higher educational institutions in furthering the goals of NEP.
Professor Ramashankar Dubey, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Gujarat, in his closing address at the inaugural session said that all Central Universities will take proactive steps to implement the vision of developed India through their respective campuses.
The two-day discussions are expected to broadly cover three key areas:
1.Strategic Alignment: Ensuring that central universities are aligned with the goals of the next phase of policy.
2.Peer learning and knowledge exchange: Promoting dialogue among academic leadership on institutional innovations, enabling environments and shared challenges.
3.Forward Planning and Preparedness: Preparing institutions for upcoming policy milestones, regulatory changes and the global academic landscape of 2047.
The conference will cover key aspects of higher education – teaching/learning, research and governance – through ten thematic sessions over two days, in line with the key pillars of NEP 2020 – equity, accountability, quality, access and affordability. These include:
1.Understanding and implementing NHEQF/NCRF with focus on Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP)
2.Future of Work – Aligning courses to suit future job role requirements
3.Digital Education - SWAYAM, SWAYAM PLUS, AAPAAR with focus on credit transfer
4. University Administration System - SAMARTH
5.Promote equity in higher education institutions- foster an inclusive and equitable environment.
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6.Education in Indian Languages and Indian Knowledge Systems, Indian Language Book Scheme
7.Research and innovation including ANRF, COE, PMRF
8.Ranking and Accreditation System
9.Internationalization which includes studying in India
10.Faculty Development - Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme
The participating institutions include Delhi University, Central University of Haryana, Assam University, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Central University of Rajasthan, Central University of Kashmir, Visva-Bharati, National Sanskrit University, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Sikkim University, Tripura University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Allahabad University and many others.
NEP 2020 presents a clear vision to transform India's higher education landscape. It envisions vibrant, multi-disciplinary institutions that encourage inquiry, collaboration and global engagement. In line with this vision and to build synergy among various stakeholders, this Vice Chancellors' Conference is expected to generate meaningful insights, strengthen collaboration among institutions and help lay down a clear roadmap for the next phase of implementation of NEP 2020. The outcomes of this conference will play a key role in shaping the future of higher education in India and furthering the nation's collective vision of becoming a developed India by 2047.
The inaugural day will feature discussions on six thematic sessions focused on strengthening the pillars of India's higher education ecosystem, academics, mobility, aligning teaching and learning with the future of work, skills alignment, digital education, university governance systems, equity in higher education and integration of Indian knowledge systems.
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