India’s Higher Education Crisis: A Call for Policy Reform and Systematic Change

The crisis in India's higher education system is the central focus of this research paper. Education should not be limited to providing basic infrastructure and fulfilling state obligations; equal importance must be given to the quality of education being delivered. It should serve as a powerful tool that empowers students—enabling them to build financially secure lives while also contributing meaningfully to society. Beyond just job prospects, education should align with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This study takes an in-depth look at the challenges facing higher education in India, with a particular focus on issues related to quality. As part of this analysis, it examines two key government initiatives aimed at improving educational standards: the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and the Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT). The paper explores the current shortcomings in higher education, evaluates the impact of these initiatives, identifies gaps in existing efforts, and provides recommendations to enhance their effectiveness.