An additional capacity of 10 million seats will be created in higher education during the 12th Plan which will commence from April 1, according to Dr Narendra Jadav, Member, Planning Commission.
Delivering Dr B L Maheshwari Memorial Lecture at the Centre for Organisational Development here, Dr Jadav said enrolments in higher education in the country were 20 million besides four million in the distance mode of learning.
The number might look impressive in absolute figures. China had far exceeded India in higher education with 30 million enrolment, he said.
“The bad news, however, is that the gross enrolment ratio in higher education in the age group of 18-23 years is very low at 17 per cent which is nearly one-half of the world average” Dr Jadav said.
There was a need to ramp up the total number of universities from existing 634 to 1,500 over the next five years, he said.
Shortage of funds
About 89 per cent of the entire student population were going to 293 State universities in the country which were starving for funds. “They require large reforms and funds,” he said.
A growth target of 9 per cent was being contemplated for the 12{+t}{+h} Plan and education development was vital for Indian economy to bounce back, he added.
Dr B L Maheshwari was an acclaimed manager educationist.