The Modi government wants India to turn into a hub of higher education for students from abroad. In her maiden Budget speech, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the ‘Study in India’ initiative, to boost the country’s status as an academic destination.

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“There is potential for India to become a hub of higher education. A ‘Study in India’ programme will be launched to focus on bringing foreign students to India,” said Nirmala Sitharaman.

Sitharaman’s speech also saw the ministry allocate Rs 400 crore to build “world-class” higher education institutions in India. No details were divulged on where these academic centres would be built.

In the run-up to these announcements, the finance minister announced the establishment of a National Research Foundation (NRF) to promote research in the academia, with requisite grants for research. “The overall research ecosystem in the country will be strengthened with thrust areas relevant to the country,” said Sitharaman. She added that funds from all ministries would be used to run the NRF. “The progressive-and-research-oriented structure of the NRF will mean that funds available to all ministries will be integrated and then supplemented with additional funds,” she said.

Nirmala Sitharaman did spend substantial time noting how academic institutions under the Modi government climbed steadily in the World University Rankings.

“Not a single Indian institution was in the top 200 of the World University

Rankings five years ago,” she observed, adding, “Today, concentrated and concerted efforts have meant that three institutions — 2 IITs and IISc Bangalore — are in the Top 200 bracket.” She added that the government would continue making “concerted efforts” to improve institutions of higher learning.

In keeping with the slew of announcements in the academic sector, Sitharaman said that regulatory systems for higher education would be revised to provide greater autonomy to academic institutions. She added, “A draft legislation for the setting up of a Higher Education Committee of India will be taken up.”

Sitharaman wrapped up her academic announcements in Budget 2019 by announcing that a National Sports Education Board would be set up under the government’s Khelo India Scheme, for the development of sportspersons.

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First Published:Jul 5, 2019 12:30 PM IST