Education

AIIMS Delhi (1956) was the only AIIMS until 2012. 6 new AIIMS were approved under PMSSY Phase I in 2003 by UPA government and became operational 2012–2016 (Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur, Rishikesh). 15 more approved post-2014 under PMSSY Phase II/III/IV. Several new AIIMS are partially operational — full capacity takes 8–10 years. Faculty and specialist shortages are a recurring issue at many newer campuses. Source ↗

ASER is the largest annual citizen-led rural learning assessment in India, covering 600+ districts. The decline from 56.2% (2008) to 43.3% (2022) is a major concern: more children are enrolled in school but fewer can read at grade level. COVID-19 school closures (2020-21) caused a sharp regression in learning. The 2022 ASER noted partial recovery in some states but overall foundational learning at multi-year lows. NEP 2020 and NIPUN Bharat (2021) specifically target foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 3 — outcomes will take years to measure. This indicator is a critical counterweight to enrollment and access progress. Source ↗

DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) was launched September 2017 as India's national digital education platform. Used by teachers for professional development and by students through QR-coded 'Energised Textbooks.' Covers Class 1–12 content in 33+ languages across 36 states/UTs. Over 7.7 billion learning sessions logged cumulatively (Ministry of Education, 2024). Saw massive acceleration during COVID-19 school closures. Integrated with PM e-VIDYA (2020) which added 200 DTH TV channels for digital education in regional languages. Source ↗

India's higher education GER tripled from 9.3% (2004) to 28.4% (2022-23). NEP 2020 targets a GER of 50% by 2035. Women's GER (28.5%) now marginally exceeds men's (28.3%) nationally — a historic milestone. Growth driven by expansion of private colleges and deemed universities alongside central institutions. Quality concerns remain: fewer than 50 Indian institutions rank in global top-1000 (QS 2024). AISHE 2022-23 covers ~43,796 institutions. Source ↗

6 IIMs existed by 2004 (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore). 7 new IIMs were established under UPA 2010–2014. 8 more added 2015–2018 under IIM Act 2017 (Amritsar, Bodh Gaya, Jammu, Nagpur, Sambalpur, Sirmaur, Udaipur, Visakhapatnam). IIM Act 2017 conferred degree-granting status (earlier IIMs awarded diplomas). Total PGP seats expanded from ~2,400 (2004) to ~10,000+ (2024). Source ↗

7 IITs existed by 2004 (Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Guwahati, Roorkee). 8 new IITs were established 2008–09 under UPA (Bhubaneswar, Gandhi Nagar, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Patna, Ropar, Indore, Mandi). 7 more added post-2014 (Tirupati, Palakkad, Dharwad, Bhilai, Goa, Jammu, Dhanbad-ISM). Faculty shortages are a systemic issue — several new IITs operate at 40–60% of sanctioned faculty strength. JEE Advanced seats expanded from ~9,600 (2014) to ~17,000+ (2024). Source ↗

Literacy rose from 64.8% (2001) to 77.7% (2011 Census) — males 82.1%, females 65.5% in 2011. The 2021 Census has not published literacy data as of 2025 (delayed from COVID). NFHS-5 (2019-21) estimated literacy at ~75-76% for 6+ age group. 1981-1991 gains were driven by National Literacy Mission (1988). Gender literacy gap narrowed from 24.8 pp (1991) to 16.6 pp (2011) but remains large. States like Kerala (94%), Himachal Pradesh (83%), and Mizoram (91%) far outperform the national average. Source ↗

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) was launched in 2015 as a one-stop platform consolidating 50+ scholarship schemes from central ministries and state governments. Beneficiaries include SC, ST, OBC, minorities, and economically weaker students from Class 1 through post-doctoral levels. DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts eliminated leakage. Cumulative disbursements exceed ₹3,400 crore annually. Earlier scholarship schemes existed but were managed through paper applications with significant leakage and delays. Source ↗

Dropout rate at secondary level fell from 21.5% (2014-15) to 12.6% (2022-23), driven by expanded school infrastructure, midday meals, scholarships for girls, and Samagra Shiksha. For baseline, reliable UDISE data is available from 2014-15; earlier DISE figures use different methodology. Notable gender gap persists — girls' dropout at secondary level higher in several states. COVID-19 (2020-21) risk of dropout, especially among girls, may not be fully captured yet. Source ↗

Secondary GER covers Classes 9–10 (age 14–15). Rapid rise from ~47% (2004) to ~80% (2023) reflects Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA, 2009) and continued expansion of secondary school infrastructure. GER can exceed 100% due to over-age and under-age enrolments. Improvement in access has not been matched by learning outcomes — ASER surveys consistently show only ~43% of Class 5 rural children can read a Class 2 text. Source ↗

Total universities grew from 304 (2004-05) to 1,168 (2022-23), including central, state, deemed, and private universities. The pace of addition accelerated post-2010 with liberalised private university establishment norms. NAAC accreditation coverage remains low — only ~35% of Higher Education Institutions are NAAC-accredited. Quantity growth has outpaced quality assurance; NIRF rankings show concentration of high-quality institutions in a few states. Source ↗