The National Education Policy is actively informing the big moves in Indian higher education. The regulatory landscape is evolving, degree pathways are becoming more flexible, and institutions are more willing to rethink curriculum, pedagogy, and assessments to move towards holistic and multidisciplinary education.

This policy-led momentum matters. China’s experience shows that consistent state attention to higher education can effectively manage quality and scale over time. India’s environment is different, but the lesson is relevant. When there is clear policy direction and sustained state support, institutions execute better, and public confidence grows. As the home of the world’s largest young population, India finds this moment especially significant. How effectively our higher education prepares young people for learning, work, and leadership will shape our social and economic growth.

Three shifts stood out over the past year.

First, the state moved decisively to institutionalise the research ecosystem. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the Rs 1-lakh-crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme represent a powerful dual track: The ANRF nurtures long-term scientific inquiry and industry-academia collaboration, while the RDI Scheme emphasises private-sector participation in market-ready innovation.

Second, Indian higher education institutions (HEIs) themselves pushed forward on innovation. Several IIMs announced new undergraduate programmes, and colleges began incorporating well-being, life skills and apprenticeships into their curricula, recognising that student success and satisfaction extend........

© Indian Express