Education
Education
Education in India is delivered through both public and private sectors, with funding and governance spanning three levels: central, state, and local. Historically, India has been home to some of the earliest centers of learning, with Takshashila dating back to at least the 5th century BCE, though its status as a university is debated. Nalanda University, however, is recognized as one of the world’s oldest universities in the modern sense. The introduction of Western education became prominent during the British Raj, deeply embedding it into Indian society.
In the Indian education system, responsibilities are shared between the Union Government and the State Governments, with certain duties lying exclusively with one or the other. The Indian Constitution enshrines education as a fundamental right through various articles. Most universities are overseen by either the Union or State Governments, reflecting the dual governance model.
India has made significant strides in increasing primary education attendance and improving literacy, which now reaches nearly three-quarters of the population. This advancement in education is often cited as a key factor in India’s economic growth. Much of this progress, particularly in higher education and scientific research, is attributed to public institutions. Despite the private education sector accounting for only 5% of the market, its value was estimated at $40 billion in 2008, growing to $68–70 billion by 2012.
However, challenges remain. Despite increasing investments in education, 25% of India’s population remains illiterate. Additionally, only 15% of students advance to high school, and a mere 7% graduate. The quality of education, whether at the primary or higher levels, lags significantly behind that of other major developing countries. As of 2008, India’s post-secondary institutions could only accommodate 7% of the college-age population, with 25% of teaching positions vacant and 57% of college professors lacking a master’s or Ph.D. degree.
By 2011, India had 1,522 degree-granting engineering colleges with an annual intake of 582,000 students, along with 1,244 polytechnics admitting 265,000 students annually. Despite these numbers, these institutions face faculty shortages and concerns about the quality of education. India’s education system also features affirmative action, reserving a significant number of seats for historically disadvantaged groups such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. In institutions affiliated with the federal government, a minimum of 50% of seats are reserved for these groups, though this percentage can vary at the state level. For instance, Andhra Pradesh had a reservation rate of 83.33% as of 2012, the highest in the country.