Chapter-14: Education | 05 Nov 2024

Introduction  

• Development of Education in India is looked after by the Ministry of Education. 
• Currently, the Ministry works through two departments namely Department of School Education and Literacy, and Department of Higher Education.  
• The Government has several schemes, programmes and policies based on the different levels of education.

Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan  

• Article 21-A of the Constitution of India and its consequent legislation, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 became operative in the country in 2010.  
• The RTE Act confers the right to elementary education on all children, in the age group of 6-14 years on the basis of equality of opportunity in a formal school which satisfies certain norms and standards. All states and UTs have notified their state RTE rules. 
• The centrally sponsored scheme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) supports states and UTs in their efforts to implement the RTE Act.

National Education Policy, 2020

The Union Cabinet approved the new National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 with an aim to introduce several changes in the Indian education system – from the school to college level.  

• The NEP 2020 aims at making “India a global knowledge superpower”.  
• The Cabinet has also approved the renaming of the Ministry of Human Resource Development to the Ministry of Education.  
• The NEP cleared by the Cabinet is only the third major revamp of the framework of education in India since independence. The two earlier education policies were brought in 1968 and 1986.

Key Points

• School Education:  
  • Universalization of education from preschool to secondary level with 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030.  
  • To bring 2 crore out of school children back into the mainstream through an open schooling system.  
  • The current 10+2 system to be replaced by a new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure corresponding to ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively.  
    • It will bring the uncovered age group of 3-6 years under school curriculum, which has been recognized globally as the crucial stage for development of mental faculties of a child.  
    • It will also have 12 years of schooling with three years of Anganwadi/pre-schooling. 
  • Class 10 and 12 board examinations to be made easier, to test core competencies rather than memorised facts, with all students allowed to take the exam twice.  
  • School governance is set to change, with a new accreditation framework and an independent authority to regulate both public and private schools.  
  • Emphasis on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, no rigid separation between academic streams, extracurricular, vocational streams in schools.  
  • Vocational Education to start from Class 6 with Internships.  
  • Teaching up to at least Grade 5 to be in mother tongue/regional language. No language will be imposed on any student.  
  • Assessment reforms with 360 degree Holistic Progress Card, tracking Student Progress for achieving Learning Outcomes.  
  • A new and comprehensive National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (NCFTE) 2021, will be formulated by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) in consultation with National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).  
  • By 2030, the minimum degree qualification for teaching will be a 4-year integrated B.Ed. degree. 
• Higher Education: 
  • Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education to be raised to 50% by 2035. Also, 3.5 crore seats to be added in higher education.  
    • The current Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education is 26.3%.  
  • Holistic Undergraduate education with a flexible curriculum can be of 3 or 4 years with multiple exit options and appropriate certification within this period.  
  • M.Phil courses will be discontinued and all the courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD level will now be interdisciplinary.  
  • Academic Bank of Credits to be established to facilitate Transfer of Credits.  
  • Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs), at par with IITs, IIMs, to be set up as models of best multidisciplinary education of global standards in the country.  
  • The National Research Foundation will be created as an apex body for fostering a strong research culture and building research capacity across higher education.  
  • Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will be set up as a single umbrella body for the entire higher education, excluding medical and legal education. Public and private higher education institutions will be governed by the same set of norms for regulation, accreditation and academic standards. Also, HECI will be having four independent verticals namely,  
    • National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) for regulation,   
    • General Education Council (GEC) for standard setting,  
    • Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) for funding,  
    • National Accreditation Council (NAC) for accreditation.  
  • Affiliation of colleges is to be phased out in 15 years and a stage-wise mechanism to be established for granting graded autonomy to colleges.  
    • Over a period of time, every college is expected to develop into either an autonomous degree-granting College, or a constituent college of a university. 

• Other Changes: 
  • An autonomous body, the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), will be created to provide a platform for the free exchange of ideas on the use of technology to enhance learning, assessment, planning, administration.  
  • National Assessment Centre-‘PARAKH’ has been created to assess the students. It also paves the way for foreign universities to set up campuses in India.  
  • It emphasizes setting up of Gender Inclusion Fund, Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions and groups.  
  • National Institute for Pali, Persian and Prakrit, Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation to be set up.  
  • It also aims to increase the public investment in the Education sector to reach 6% of GDP at the earliest.  
  • Currently, India spends less than 3.5% of its total GDP on education.

SARTHAQ' (Student and Teacher's Holistic Advancement Through Quality Education) 

• A detailed implementation plan named 'SARTHAQ' (Student and Teacher's Holistic Advancement Through Quality Education) has been created to achieve the ambitious goals of the policy. 
• 'SARTHAQ' was formulated by compiling sub-plans for each major actionable area, with input from different bureau heads and autonomous institutions of the Ministry of Education (MOE). 
• States and Union Territories (UTs) were consulted during the development of 'SARTHAQ', with a draft plan circulated and over 7000 suggestions received. 
• The plan outlines overall targets and recommendations, followed by a systematic intervention plan to achieve the policy's goals. 

Teacher Education 

• Norms and standards for a 4-year integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) were established by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) in 2021. 
  • The ITEP was initiated in 42 Government Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) starting from the academic session 2023-24, operating in a pilot study mode. 
• A committee of experts has been formed to develop guidelines, structures, and a roadmap for revamping and extending the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) to all levels (5+3+3+4) in alignment with NEP 2020 and other relevant frameworks. 
• The National Mission for Mentoring (NMM), as outlined in NEP 2020, focuses on establishing a pool of experienced professionals to mentor school teachers, emphasizing both short and long-term support. 
• An initial document called the 'Bluebook on NMM' has been made available to the public and was piloted in 30 central schools across the country since August 2022. 
• The Vidyanjali Portal has been revamped by the Department to facilitate community/volunteer engagement with Government and Government-aided schools, allowing them to share knowledge, skills, and contribute assets/material/equipment directly.

'School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF)' 

• The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has developed the 'School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF)' which assesses various aspects of school functioning such as curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, infrastructure, inclusive practices, human resources, management, governance, and leadership. 

NISHTHA

• The National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) was launched in 2019 by the Department of School Education and Literacy. 
• Its objective is to enhance learning outcomes in elementary education. 
• NISHTHA targets approximately 42 lakh teachers, heads of schools, and educators associated with State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs), District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs), Block Resource Coordinators, and Cluster Resource Coordinators. 
• In the academic year 2021-22, NISHTHA expanded its focus to include foundational literacy and numeracy as well as secondary levels, covering about 35 lakh pre-primary, primary, and secondary level teachers. 
• The NISHTHA secondary level online programme for secondary teachers commenced in 2021. 
• The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) developed a comprehensive package comprising 13 online courses, including 12 generic and 56 subject-specific modules. 
• NISHTHA secondary online on DIKSHA portal offers 12 generic courses and 7 pedagogy courses, totaling 68 modules. 
• These modules cover various aspects such as curriculum, inclusive education, ICT in teaching, personal-social qualities, art-integrated learning, understanding secondary stage learners, health and well-being, school leadership development, vocational education, gender issues, initiatives in school education, toy-based pedagogy, and school-based assessment. 

Central Sponsored Schemes 

The centrally sponsored schemes include - Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI, and PM POSHAN. 

Samagra Shiksha 

• The Samagra Shiksha scheme is a comprehensive initiative covering education from pre-primary to class XII, aligned with SDG-4. 
• It has been adapted to the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020, aiming for universal access to quality education in an inclusive setting. 
• States and union territories receive financial support for various activities promoting universalization of school education. 
• Activities include establishing and strengthening schools up to senior secondary level, constructing school buildings, adding classrooms, and operating specific schools like Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Avasiya Vidyalayas. 
• Free uniforms and textbooks are provided for eligible elementary students. 
• Transport allowances, enrollment and retention drives, special training for out-of-school children, and residential/non-residential training for older children are supported to integrate them into formal schooling. 
• Specific attention is given to children with disabilities, offering financial assistance for identification, assessment, aids, appliances, Braille kits, books, and stipends for girls with disabilities.

The 2023 Guidelines for Samagra Shiksha scheme

• In 2023, guidelines were distributed for provisioning academic resource persons for career counselling in Block Resource Centres. 
• The guidelines propose the appointment of an Academic Resource Person at each Block/Urban Local Body within Block Resource Centres. 
• The primary responsibility of these Academic Resource Persons is to offer career counselling services to students. 
• They assist students in selecting suitable career paths based on factors such as strengths, interests, and other relevant variables. 
• The interventions under Samagra Shiksha include various initiatives such as library grants, sports grants, activities aligned with the Fit India movement, Yoga, ICT integration in school education, establishment of smart classrooms, efforts to bridge gender and social gaps, and provision of vocational education. 

Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan

• Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA) is initiated by the Ministry of Education to bridge the gap between school-based knowledge and practical application in real life. 
• The aim is to make learning of science and mathematics enjoyable and meaningful while emphasizing innovation and technology usage. 
• RAA targets children aged 6 to 18 years, fostering curiosity, creativity, and a passion for science and mathematics. 
• It operates as part of the Samagra Shiksha scheme, focusing on quality and innovation in education. 
• Key interventions include mentoring by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), forming teacher circles, establishing science and mathematics clubs for students, organizing student clubs, facilitating visits to higher institutions and museums, creating innovation hubs, and encouraging participation in Olympiads. 
• The initiative aligns with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizing curricular and pedagogical reforms. 
• It suggests integrating contemporary subjects like artificial intelligence, design thinking, and organic living into the curriculum to nurture 21st-century skills among students at all educational levels. 

PM Schools for Rising India 

• PM Schools for Rising India (PSI SHRI) scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Government of India. 
• The scheme aims to qualitatively strengthen more than 15,000 schools, in line with the budget announcement reflecting the components of the NEP, 2020. 
• These schools are intended to become exemplary institutions in their regions, guiding and mentoring other schools to achieve the objectives of the National Education Policy. 
• PM SHRI Schools will be developed as green schools, incorporating environmentally friendly features such as solar panels, LED lights, nutrition gardens, natural farming, waste management, plastic-free initiatives, water conservation, and climate change-related activities. 
• The focus includes studying traditions/practices related to environmental protection and conducting hackathons to address climate change. 
• Existing schools managed by central government/state/UT/local bodies/KVS/NVS will be strengthened under this scheme. 
• The scheme duration is from 2022-23 to 2026-27, after which the states/UTs will be responsible for maintaining the achieved benchmarks. 
• In the initial phase, 6,448 schools from 28 states/UTs along with KVS/NVS were selected as PM SHRI Schools. 

Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman 

• Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), formerly known as the National Programme of Mid-Day Meal in Schools, is a centrally sponsored scheme established under the National Food Security Act, 2013. 
• It caters to school children in Balvatika (pre-class I) and Classes I-VIII in government and government-aided schools. 
• During the year 2022-23, the scheme covered over 12 crore students in 10.84 lakh government and government-aided schools. 
• The primary objectives of the scheme include addressing hunger and promoting education by: 
  • Enhancing the nutritional status of children in Balvatika and classes I-VIII. 
  • Encouraging regular attendance among underprivileged children and aiding their concentration in classroom activities. 
  • Providing nutritional support to elementary stage children in drought-affected areas during summer vacation and disasters. 

Implementation of Automated Monitoring System

• The Department of School Education and Literacy has implemented an automated system for real-time monitoring of the POSHAN scheme. 
• This system collects data from schools without any cost to school headmasters and teachers. 
• States and Union Territories (UTs) are establishing suitable data collection methods such as Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS), SMS, mobile applications, or web applications. 
• Data collection occurs daily from schools, enabling monitoring and timely follow-up actions to be taken as necessary. 

Mid-Day Meal Rules 

• The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Rules were established under the National Food Security Act, 2013. 
• All states/UTs were instructed to implement the MDM Rules 2015 in eligible schools. 
• Key features of the MDM Rules include: 
  • Strengthening quality by mandating the testing of food samples. 
  • Increasing the role of school management committees in supervising hot cooked meals. 
  • Providing food grains at National Food Security Act (NFSA) rates: ₹3 per kg for rice and ₹2 per kg for wheat, instead of Below Poverty Line (BPL) rates. 
  • Introducing a food security allowance by the state government if a hot cooked meal cannot be provided in school on any given day due to various reasons such as non-availability of food grains, cooking cost, fuel, or absence of cook-cum-helper. 

ULLAS Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram 

• The Government of India has approved a scheme named Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram, also known as ULLAS: Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society. 
• The scheme is in line with the recommendations of the NEP 2020 and targets adults aged 15 and above who missed out on schooling, aiming to integrate them into mainstream society to enhance their contribution to the country's growth. 
• The budget allocated for the scheme is Rs. 1037.90 crore, covering implementation from FYs 2022-23 to 2026-27. 
• ULLAS has five components: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education. 
• Volunteerism is central to the scheme's implementation, involving students from schools, Higher Education Institutions under UGC, and Teacher Education Institutions under NCIE, as well as literate individuals from various backgrounds. 
• The scheme adopts a hybrid approach, combining online and offline learning methods while leveraging volunteerism to create a dynamic learning environment. 
• Implementation is through Samajik Chetna Kendras set up in government/aided schools registered under UDISE. 
• A dedicated Cell for National Centre for Literacy (CNCL) has been established at NCERT to provide academic and resource support for the scheme. 
• The logo, slogan "Jan Jan Saakshar," popular name, and mobile application for ULLAS-Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram were launched in 2023.

Central Sector Scheme

• National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Schone 
  • The Central Sector Scheme National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) began in 2008 to provide scholarships to economically weaker but meritorious students to prevent dropouts at class VIII and encourage continued education at the secondary stage. 
  • The scheme awards one lakh fresh scholarships annually to selected class IX students, renewable for classes X to XII, with an annual amount of 12,000/-. 
  • It's approved from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26. 
  • Eligibility criteria include parental income not exceeding 3,50,000/- per annum, a minimum of 55% marks in Class VII (with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST students), and enrollment in government, government-aided, or local body schools. 
  • NVS, KVS, and residential school students aren't eligible. 
  • Each state/UT conducts its own selection test based on state government norms. 

Autonomous Organisations/Institutions 

• Central Board of Secondary Education 
  • Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) operates under the Ministry of Education, providing educational services to schools within India and abroad. 
  • It serves two main groups: children of central government employees and the Indian diaspora in foreign countries. 
  • CBSE conducts examinations for 10th and 12th grades, adhering to its curriculum. 
  • Currently, 28,800 schools are affiliated with CBSE, serving approximately 2.64 crore students. 
  • It oversees schools from six states and union territories: Delhi, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ladakh, and Chandigarh. 
  • CBSE conducts various assessments including the Central Teachers Eligibility Test and Admission Test to Navodaya Vidyalayas. 
  • It's responsible for implementing competency-based examinations in line with NEP 2020. 
  • CBSE has initiated the SAFAL program, evaluating students' learning outcomes in key competencies at third, fifth, and eighth-grade levels. 
  • Additionally, CBSE serves as the Standards Setting Authority for schools run by central government departments, including Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas. 

National Institute of Open Schooling 

• National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is an open school initiated by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in 1979, later established as an independent entity by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 1989. 
• NIOS's mission is to provide continuing education up to pre-degree level through open learning, offering an alternative to formal education. 
• NIOS offers diverse courses through open and distance learning mode, including the Open Basic Education program for children (6-14 years) and adults. 
• NIOS provides audio and video resources on its website and YouTube channel, along with content on the 'DIKSHA' platform, ensuring multi-mode access to education. 
• The institution offers 45 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) at various levels, including D.El.Ed on SWAYAM. 
• Inclusive Education Policy 2022 was launched to welcome all learners and facilitate them according to their specific needs and abilities. 
• DEEP (Digital Education and E Resources Platform), the e-library of NIOS, was launched in 2022, offering free access to content in 75 academic subjects. 
• New courses related to Indian Knowledge Tradition and Vedic Education have been introduced at different levels. 
• Indian Diaspora Studies Centre has been established to promote Indian culture abroad. 
• NIOS introduced a six-month certificate course called 'Gender Green Teacher (GGT) Programme'. 
• Virtual School has been developed to facilitate holistic and engaging learning, aligning with the objectives of NEP 2020. 

Higher and Technical Education 

• Growth of higher education in India since independence has been phenomenal. 
• At the time of independence, there were only 20 universities and 500 colleges. 
• According to the All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) Report 2020-21, there are now 1,113 degree awarding universities/institutions and 43,796 colleges. 
• Student enrollment in higher education stands at 4.11 crores. 
• There has been a significant increase since independence: 
  • 5.65 times increase in the number of degree awarding universities/institutions. 
  • 87.59 times increase in the number of colleges. 
• Statistical overview of higher education system indicates substantial growth in institutions (universities, colleges, technical institutions), as well as in intake and enrollment. 

National Institutional Ranking Framework 

• The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) was launched in 2015. 
• Aimed to provide a transparent ranking system for educational institutions. 
• Developed by experts in education and institutional heads. 
• Initially focused on engineering and management institutions. 
• Latest edition of rankings released in 2021 covering overall, colleges, universities, research institutions, and seven subject domains. 
• Subject domains include engineering, management, pharmacy, law, medical, architecture, and dental. 
• In NIRF 2023, agriculture and allied sector were introduced as a new subject category.

World Class Institutions Scheme 

• The Ministry of Education initiated the World Class Institutions scheme in 2017 to enhance higher educational institutions within the country. 
• The scheme aims to provide world-class academic and research facilities, elevating institutions to a distinguished category in the higher education sector. 
• Institutions selected under this scheme are granted significant autonomy in academic, administrative, and financial affairs. 
• Twenty institutions are selected under the scheme, with equal representation from public and private sectors, titled as 'Institutions of Eminence.' 
• The primary objective is for these institutions to achieve a ranking within the top 500 globally in reputable ranking frameworks within the first decade. 
• Over time, the goal is for these institutions to gradually improve their ranking to enter the top 100 globally. 
• As of the fiscal year 2022-23, twelve institutions have been designated as 'Institutions of Eminence,' with eight from the public sector and four from the private sector. 

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 

• Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) initiated in 2014 to bridge higher education institutions (HEIs) with society and villages. 
• Aims to offer practical knowledge and traditional wisdom to students and faculty beyond theoretical academics. 
• Emphasizes knowledge transformation, intending to expose youth to India's rich cultural heritage. 
• HEIs under the scheme engage in identifying and selecting innovative technologies, customizing them, and implementing solutions tailored to local needs. 
• Driven by a vision of bringing transformative change to rural development by leveraging knowledge. 
• The scheme extended for an additional five years, from April 2021 to March 2026.

Digital Library

• The National Digital Library of India is designed to serve as a comprehensive national knowledge asset. 
• Its primary goal is to offer a ubiquitous digital source of knowledge. 
• The library aims to bolster education, research, and innovation. 
• It caters to diverse learner groups across the country. 
• The initiative is focused on supporting all types of learners, including students, researchers, and innovators. 

Research Innovation and Technology 

• Objective: Identify the research and technology needs of the country. 
• Ten goal posts identified as focal points for research and development. 
• Formation of research groups tasked with creating time-bound action plans for each goal. 
• Involvement of leading academic institutions such as IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) and ISC (Indian Science Congress) to initiate the process. 

Bachelor of Vocational Studies 

• The UGC has launched a scheme for B.Voc degree with multiple exits, allowing for diploma and advanced diploma under the national skill qualification framework (NSQF). 
• Objectives include enhancing youth employability, maintaining competitiveness through multi-entry, multi-exit learning options, facilitating vertical mobility, bridging the gap between education and employability, and reducing secondary level dropout rates. 

Skills Assessment Matrix for Vocational Advancement of Youth 

• A credit framework called Skills Assessment Matrix for Vocational Advancement of Youth (SAMVAY) has been established. 
• SAMVAY facilitates both vertical and lateral mobility within the vocational education system and between other educational pathways. 
• The framework integrates academic knowledge pursuit with practical vocational skills seamlessly. 
• It aims to enhance opportunities for advancement and skill development within the vocational education system. 
• SAMVAY's strength lies in its holistic approach towards integrating academic and vocational skills. 

Yukti - Yogya Kalakriti ki Takneek 

• Yukti's primary goal is skill development and the advancement of design and technologies. 
• The focus is on traditional crafts and arts to improve economic opportunities for practitioners. 
• It aims to introduce suitable designs and technologies to encourage innovation.

SAKSHAM - a Scholarship for Differently Abled Students

• SAKSHAM is a scholarship scheme targeting differently abled students to encourage them to pursue technical education. 
• The scheme aims to provide financial support, offering scholarships totaling 5 crore per annum. 
• Scholarships cover tuition fees and incidentals for needy and meritorious students enrolled in AICTE approved institutions. 
• The objective is to assist differently abled students in achieving their college goals despite learning difficulties, environmental challenges, or medical expenses.

Ishan Uday - for Students of North-East Region

• The UGC introduced the Ishan Uday scholarship scheme in 2014-15 for students from the north-east region. 
• The scheme aims to provide scholarships to students whose parental income is below 4.5 lakh per annum. 
• It is applicable for undergraduate studies in colleges/universities across India. 
• The scholarship amount is ₹54,000 per annum for general degree programs and ₹78,000 per annum for technical and professional programs.

Ishan Vikas - Academic Exposure for North-Eastern Students

• The programme has been launched with a plan to bring selected college and school students from the north-eastern states into close contact with IITs, NITs and IISERs during their vacation periods for academic exposure. 

Pragati

• Pragati is a scholarship program for female students initiated by AICJE (mention what AICJE stands for if it's crucial). 
• The scheme aims to support girls in pursuing technical education. 
• Education is highlighted as crucial for empowering women, providing them with knowledge, skills, and confidence. 
• The program seeks to offer young women opportunities for educational advancement, thus preparing them for successful futures. 

Swami Vivekananda Scholarship for Single Girl Child 

• Dropout rates are higher for girls compared to boys across different levels of education. 
• The University Grants Commission (UGC) has initiated the Swami Vivekananda scholarship for Single Girl Child. 
• This scholarship is specifically designed to support girls pursuing research in social sciences. 
• Its primary aim is to alleviate the financial burden of higher education, especially for girls who are the sole female child in their families. 
• The scholarship intends to promote the educational ideals of Swami Vivekananda regarding women's education. 

Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds 

• SWAYAM is a program aimed at achieving the three cardinal principles of education policy: access, equity, and quality. 
• Its objective is to provide teaching and learning resources to all, including the most disadvantaged, thereby bridging the digital divide. 
• The platform hosts courses accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any time. 
• Courses are interactive and created by top teachers in the country. 
• All courses are free of cost for learners. 
• The courses offered on SWAYAM are divided into four quadrants: video lectures, downloadable/printable reading material, self-assessment tests, and an online discussion forum. 
• The learning experience is enhanced through the use of audio-video, multimedia, and advanced technology. 

Open and Distance Learning in Higher Education 

• Emphasis on expanding open and distance learning to enhance accessibility to higher education. 
• Offered by dual mode universities or stand-alone open universities, including JCNOU (a central university) and 14 state open universities. 
• Regulatory authority for open and distance learning is the University Grants Commission (UGC). 

Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan 

• Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) is a central sector scheme aimed at providing financial aid to meritorious students nationwide. 
• It comprises three sub-schemes: 
  • Central Scheme of Scholarship for College and University (CSSS) 
  • Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (SSSJKL) 
  • Central Sector Interest Subsidy on Education Loan (CSIS) 
• CSSS provides scholarships for college and university students. 
• SSSJKL is specifically designed to offer scholarships to students from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh regions. 
• CSIS provides interest subsidies on education loans. 

National Apprenticeship Training Scheme 

• The National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) under the Department of Higher Education has been granted stipendiary support amounting to 3,054 crore rupees. 
• This funding is allocated for apprentices to undergo apprenticeship training from 2021-22 to 2025-26. 
• The objective is to train approximately nine lakh apprentices through collaboration with industries and commercial organizations. 
• NATS has expanded its scope to include students from humanities, science, and commerce in addition to those from the engineering stream. 
• The scheme aims to enhance skill levels and strengthen skill ecosystems, ultimately leading to employment opportunities for about seven lakh youths over the next five years. 

Prime Minister's Research Fellows 

• Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) aims to enhance research quality in higher educational institutions in India. 
• The scheme offers attractive fellowships to attract top talent into research. 
• The overarching goal is to promote development through innovation. 
• PMRF is designed to encourage and support promising researchers in their pursuit of impactful research. 

Global Initiative for Academic Network 

• The Ministry of Education initiated the Global Initiative for Academic Network (GIAN) in 2015. 
• GIAN's purpose is to integrate top international educational practices into the Indian education system. 
• It facilitates the exchange of ideas between students and faculty with leading experts from various fields worldwide. 
• GIAN aims to foster collaboration and sharing of experiences to address Indian challenges. 
• The initiative seeks to enhance India's academic resources, expedite quality reforms, and elevate scientific and technological capabilities to global standards. 

National Knowledge Network 

• NKN (National Knowledge Network) is a component of NMEICT (National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology), provided by MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology). 
• NKN was made available to universities, institutions, and colleges of higher education. 
• The provisioning of NKN followed a cost-sharing basis, with 75% of the cost borne by MOE (Ministry of Education) and 25% by the respective university, institution, or college. 
• The project commenced in 2009 and has been extended up to 2025. 

Special Scholarship Scheme for J&K 

• The Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir (SSS for J&K) is designed to encourage youth from Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh to pursue education outside their Union Territories (UTs). 
• The aim is to facilitate interaction with students from other parts of the country, integrating them into the mainstream. 
• Eligibility criteria include students from UTs with a family income of up to 8.0 lakhs per annum who have passed Class XII/equivalent exams within the UTs. 
• Students admitted outside the UTs via centralized counseling or in central universities or national-level medical/engineering colleges are eligible. 

Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme 

• Objective: The Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme (CSIS) aims to ensure economically disadvantaged individuals, including minorities, SCs/STs, women, and disabled persons, have access to professional education without financial barriers. 
• Eligibility: Students enrolled in professional/technical courses accredited by NAAC, NBA, Institutions of National Importance, or Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs) qualify. Those not accredited by NAAC or NBA need approval from the respective regulatory body. 
• Income Criteria: Students with annual parental/family income up to 4.5 lakh are eligible. 
• Coverage: The subsidy covers undergraduate, postgraduate, or integrated courses, but only once for each level. 
• Interest Subsidy: Full interest subsidy is provided during the moratorium period (course period plus one year) on educational loans up to 7.5 lakh from scheduled banks, including co-operative & regional rural banks, under the Model Educational Loan Scheme of the Indian Banks' Association (IBA). 
• Nodal Bank: Canara Bank serves as the nodal bank for this scheme. 

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat 

• Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) is an initiative by the Government of India aimed at fostering empathy and stronger bonds among people from different regions of the country. 
• States have been paired with each other under this initiative. 
• Over 10,000 activities and programs have been organized by 10 ministries to engage youth, students, and others in various aspects including art, culture, language, sports, youth exchanges, cuisine, literature, festivals, tourism, vocation, and best practices. 
• Participation involves educational institutions such as KVs, JNVs, Sainik Schools, IITs, CUs, NITs, IIITs, private universities, cultural troupes under the Ministry of Culture, youth organizations like NSS, NYKS, organizations under the Ministry of Tourism, local sportspersons, and Central Police Forces. 
• Reports indicate an overall participation of more than 5 crore individuals. 
• Key initiatives include student exchange programs, Kashi Tamil Sangamam, Yuva Sangam, Bhasha Sangam mobile app for language learning and testing, cuisine corner, digital repository with information about India, Dekho Apna Desh series, and digital series on indigenous sports.