The Economic Times, February 10, 2025
NITI Aayog urges increased financial and administrative autonomy for states and state public universities, higher education funding, and a dedicated infrastructure finance agency. Recommendations include raising education budget to 6% of GDP, fee autonomy pilot programs, a National Research Policy, and integrating employability-focused modules in curricula to improve quality, governance, and employability in higher education.
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NITI Aayog Releases Policy Report on ‘Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities’
Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 8:15PM by PIB Delhi
NITI Aayog today launched a policy report titled ‘Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities’. The report was released by Sh. Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog; Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul, Member (Education); NITI Aayog, Sh. BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog; Sh. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education; and Dr. (Mrs.) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
More…The full policy report can be accessed at: https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-02/Expanding-Quality-Higher-Education-through-SPUs.pdf
The full policy brief can be accessed at: https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-02/Policy_Brief_Education.pdf
The Economic Times, February 10, 2025
Giving details, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme — the three key components — are now combined under the composite Central Sector Scheme of “Skill India Programme”.
Hindustan Times, February 05, 2025
A parliamentary committee has raised concerns over the proposed Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) which seeks to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC) as the principal regulator of higher education, warning that centralisation could lead to closure of institutions in rural areas and indirectly fuel privatisation.
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CUTS is inviting comments on:
After Madhabi Puri Buch, will Sebi have a bureaucrat at its helm?Livemint, February 21, 2025
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is likely to have a seasoned bureaucrat as its next chairperson after Madhabi Puri Buch’s three-year term at the helm of the capital market regulator ends this month, two persons familiar with the development said.Buch is the only chairperson in Sebi’s 36-year history who has a background in the private sector.
The people currently under consideration for the post include department of economic affairs secretary Ajay Seth, Sebi whole-time member Ashwani Bhatia and deputy comptroller and auditor general Anand Mohan Bajaj, said one of the persons quoted above.
The second person said the secretary to the government in another economic ministry, and the chair of a financial sector regulatory body are also under consideration. The names of these officials could not be ascertained.
Pradeep S. Mehta, public policy expert and secretary general of think tank Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) said more private sector expertise should come to regulatory bodies.
“Parliament makes laws. In the same spirit, regulatory appointments should also be confirmed by the relevant Parliamentary standing committee, so that there is a public discourse on these appointments. Their selection panels too should have two-third non-government members,” said Mehta.
COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM/NITI AAYOG
- Niti Aayog to launch investment friendliness Index by July
Livemint, February 14,2025 - Push for competitive and cooperative federalism
The Hindu Businessline, February 11, 2025 - Is GST a broken promise?
The Financial Express, February 12, 2025 - States claim funds shortage, but fail to spend Central scheme allocations
The Hindu Businessline, February 06, 2025
ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS
- Is consensus or disruption a path to good governance?
Hindustan Times, February 22, 2025 - Gujarat announces administrative reforms panel to improve efficiency of services
The Indian Express, February 21, 2025 - The changing grammar of governance: How govts are getting things done
The Fortune India, February 16, 2025 - In techno-state utopia, efficiency is at odds with democracy
Deccan Herald, February 16, 2025
RURAL ECONOMY
- No extra outlay for MGNREGS in FY25
The Financial Express, February 24, 2025 - Budget boost for rural women’s jobs
The New Indian Express, February 11, 2025 - Technology and the challenge of equitable education
The Hindu, February 08, 2025 - Will the budget’s proposal help revive India’s rural economy
Livemint, February 06, 2025
JOBS & SKILLS
- Skill development in India: The facts behind the figures
India Development Review, February 25, 2025 - India’s Paradox: Booming Economy, But Where Are The Jobs?
NDTV, February 18, 2025 - The urgent need for a national skill census
The New Indian Express, February 13, 2025 - Bridging Education & Jobs: Are certificates enough without skills?
Millenium Post, February 12, 2025
EDUCATION REFORMS
- All about the controversial draft UGC regulations
The New Indian Express, February 23, 2025 - Indian education system must adapt better to the real world out there
Livemint, February 19, 2025 - What the UGC must do to transform higher education in India
The Indian Express, February 17, 2025 - The road to Viksit Bharat: Why India’s education system holds the key?
The Economic Times, February 06, 2025 - Teaching children isn’t easy: It takes a lot more than most of us realize
Livemint, February 05, 2025
ECONOMIC REFORMS
- Reform Paradox: Broken Promises, Implementation Crisis & Unfinished Agenda
BW Businessworld, February 26, 2025 - Technological innovation will be the foundation of India’s economic diplomacy
The Economic Times, February 18, 2025 - It’s Time to Re-Regulate, Not De-Regulate
The Wire, February 16, 2025 - India needs an ambitious agenda for higher growth
The Financial Times, February 09, 2025
