The multiple crises in Indian universities (UPSC Current Affair)

Relevance: GS2 - Issues Relating to Development and Management of Education, Human Resources.

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Why in the news?

Recently Scholars have explained opinions bout the problems being faced by Universities in India.

What are some signs of the worsening state of India’s universities?

• Public Spending: Higher education spending has remained stable at 1.3-1.5% of total government spending since 2012.
• In the meantime, the Ministry of Education is pressuring higher education institutions to boost their intake capacity by 25%. (in a push to implement the 10 percent quota for economically weaker sections),
• To the surprise, The Ministry of Finance has sought to ban the creation of new teaching posts while making an extra intake of students..
• Reduction in Aid: Student financial aid was reduced by 8% to 2,078 crores in FY 2022-23 from 2,482 crore in FY 2021-22, and research and innovation funds were reduced by 8% to 218 crores.

What are the challenges being faced by the Universities?

Universities are facing challenges on multiple fronts:

Financial crunch

• University infrastructure spending has decreased. The majority of Indian universities and colleges have overcrowded classrooms, insufficient air and cleanliness, and inadequate housing facilities.
• The Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA), which finances all infrastructure loans to colleges and universities, saw its budget cut from 2,000 crore in FY 20-21 to 1 crore in FY 21-22.
• Salary payments for deemed/central universities have been delayed due to a lack of cash flow.leading to most universities are in debt , for example- Madras University was forced to request an 88 crore from the state government.
• Faculty members have been waiting months for their salaries, which arrive weeks later.
• This has resulted in a reduction in discretionary spending, with many Delhi colleges unable to afford basic database and journal subscriptions.

UGC’s Research Project Grant Scheme

• Minor and major research project grants from the UGC have decreased from 42.7 crores in FY 2016-17 to 38 lakh in FY 2020-21. Given the lack of finance and infrastructure, only 2.7 percent of India's universities provide PhD programs.
• The National Research Foundation (NRF), which aims to develop university research infrastructure, has yet to be established and may have a small budget ($5-6 billion over five years).

Fall in standards

• Academic methods and norms are not being followed.
• Examination paper leaks: Test paper leaks have become commonplace; in June 2021, the Hindi exam of the UGC's National Eligibility Test, which allows post-graduate students who pass to teach in State and Central colleges, was released.
• Repression: Earlier, Universities have played a crucial role in strengthening democracy and civil society. For example,
  • During the national movement, the Central Hindu College in Delhi, founded by Madan Mohan Malaviya, was a hotbed of political discourse. However, in recent years, institutional apathy has given way to persecution.
  • Police actions against students at a few colleges (for example, JNU and Jamia Millia) for campus protests, as well as arrests and detention, have placed a pall over free expression on college campuses..

What measures are required to be taken?

• Increased funding is urgently needed, as is the establishment of specialized funding streams for infrastructure grants/loans and financial help. Universities can also use the money saved to pursue new revenue streams like start-up royalties and advertising.
• Rise in Funding for research needs: The National Research Foundation (NRF) should augment (rather than replace) existing research funding schemes (including those from the Ministry of Science). Undergraduates should be able to participate in course-based research experiences.
• Improving the integrity of the examination process will necessitate a decentralized approach, with universities having the authority to make decisions about academic programs, promotions, cohort size, and other matters.
• Our campuses must promote tolerance for a variety of viewpoints because our students have formative experiences there and require the freedom to establish themselves as people.

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