NITI Aayog Report Highlights Faculty Shortages and Infrastructure Challenges in State Public Universities
State public universities (SPUs) in India, which enrol a staggering 81% of the nation’s higher education students, are facing critical issues that are impeding their ability to deliver quality education and research. A recent policy report released by NITI Aayog, titled Expanding Quality Higher Education Through SPUs, sheds light on these concerns, revealing that more than 40% of faculty positions remain vacant, and a staggering 90% of SPUs lack well-equipped research facilities. This is significantly affecting the learning outcomes and academic progress of students across the country.
The most pressing issue highlighted in the report is the severe shortage of faculty. With over 40% of teaching positions vacant, the student-teacher ratio in many SPUs has reached an unfavourable 30:1, far exceeding the recommended ratio of 15:1. This shortage limits the quality of education students receive, as it leads to reduced academic mentorship, fewer research opportunities, and limited interaction with instructors. As a result, students often face challenges in developing a deeper understanding of their subjects, which in turn impacts their future employability. The lack of sufficient faculty has also been a barrier to innovation and research in many SPUs. With few experienced professors to guide research, students miss out on valuable research guidance that could contribute to meaningful academic work and industry solutions.
Equally concerning is the outdated infrastructure and lack of adequate research facilities in SPUs. Only 10% of SPUs are equipped with the necessary research facilities, leaving the majority of institutions ill-equipped to foster an environment of academic excellence. The situation is compounded by the lack of access to digital resources, as only 32% of SPUs have fully functional digital libraries. This gap in resources restricts students and faculty from accessing crucial global research databases, hindering the development of new knowledge and ideas. Additionally, the report highlights the bureaucratic inefficiencies within SPUs, which delay crucial curriculum updates and faculty recruitment. The absence of modern infrastructure further exacerbates these challenges, preventing universities from offering a competitive, up-to-date education to their students.
One of the key advantages of SPUs is their affordability, with tuition fees averaging 60% lower than those of private institutions. This makes them a crucial source of higher education for students from socially and economically disadvantaged groups (SEDGs). However, without adequate faculty and infrastructure, SPUs are unable to deliver the high-quality education that these students deserve. In response to these challenges, NITI Aayog’s report has proposed a set of reforms. It calls for an increase in public investment in higher education, recommending that the government allocate at least 6% of GDP to this sector, as suggested by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This would ensure that SPUs have the resources they need to address faculty shortages, upgrade infrastructure, and improve research facilities. The report also proposes performance-based funding, which would incentivise SPUs to improve their academic and research output. Furthermore, it advocates for granting greater autonomy to SPUs in decision-making processes, which would allow universities to better manage their resources and respond more effectively to challenges.
While SPUs remain integral to India’s higher education system, the report underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive revitalisation strategy. One such initiative is the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme, which could provide free access to global research journals for all SPUs. By addressing faculty shortages, modernising infrastructure, and promoting a research-driven academic environment, SPUs could once again become the centres of excellence that India needs for its future. While state public universities continue to serve as the backbone of higher education in India, their struggles with faculty shortages and outdated infrastructure require immediate attention. By investing in these institutions and adopting a forward-thinking approach, India can ensure that its higher education system remains inclusive, competitive, and capable of meeting the demands of the 21st century.
