Building a Knowledge Nation: Modi Govt’s 11-Year Higher Education Journey

Since May 2014, the Modi government has spearheaded a transformative era in India, driving progress across economic, social, and educational domains.

- PROF. DINESH CHANDRA RAI

Initiatives like Digital India, Make in India, and Swachh Bharat have elevated India's global standing, building innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development. At the heart of this transformation lies a revolution in higher education, where bold reforms, substantial investments, and the visionary National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 have redefined academic excellence. With a strong emphasis on research and innovation, the government has positioned India as a global leader in knowledge creation, empowering institutions to nurture future-ready scholars and innovators. This article highlights the Modi government's achievements in higher education over the past 11 years, with a focus on the implementation of NEP 2020, and presents key statistical milestones that underscore India's rise as a global academic powerhouse.

Institutional Expansion and Infrastructure Development

The Modi government's commitment to expanding higher education access is evident in the remarkable growth of premier institutions. Since 2014, the government has established 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), 20 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and numerous Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and National Institutes of Design (NIDs). This translates to an average of one new IIT and IIM annually, a significant step toward democratizing access to world-class education. Furthermore, the government has facilitated the creation of a new university every week and two colleges daily, significantly increasing enrollment across diverse regions.