INDIA AS A GLOBAL STUDY CENTRE

Outdated curricula, inadequate infrastructure and ill-trained faculty have been the bane of Indian higher education. A structural overhaul, strict oversight and emphasis on digital education will raise standards to global levels

- Pramath Raj Sinha

Big is not always beautiful. With over 58,000 institutions and 43 million students, India's higher education system is one of the biggest in the world. But the overall perception of our colleges and universities is poor and, indeed, our institutions are plagued by issues of low quality. Addressing these deficiencies requires a three-pronged approach focused on systemic change. Without this, India cannot become a global hub for higher education; we need to become high-quality locally to be perceived as an attractive centre internationally.

Currently, there is a huge disparity in the quality of education. While prestigious public institutions like the IITs and IIMs and private ones such as Ashoka University and ISB take pains to maintain high standards, most colleges and universities struggle with outdated curricula, inadequate infrastructure and ill-trained faculty. This uneven playing field not only leaves thousands of students poorly-educated and ill-prepared for the real world, it also perpetuates inequality in life.