NITI Aayog Report on Higher Education:
The NITI Aayog report, “Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities,” highlights disparities in state-wise spending on higher education, urging increased public investment, especially in State Public Universities (SPUs).
Key Findings:
- States Allocating the Most to Higher Education (% of GDP): Jammu & Kashmir (8.11%), Manipur (7.25%), Meghalaya (6.64%), Tripura (6.19%).
- States with the Lowest Higher Education Expenditure (% of GSDP): Telangana (0.18%), Gujarat (0.23%), Rajasthan (0.23%).
- States with the Highest Higher Education Budget (Absolute Amount): Maharashtra (₹11,421 crore), Bihar (₹9,666 crore), Tamil Nadu (₹7,237 crore).
- States with the Lowest Higher Education Budget (Absolute Amount): Sikkim (₹142 crore), Arunachal Pradesh (₹155 crore), Nagaland (₹167 crore).
- Growth in Per Youth Spending on Higher Education: Increased from ₹2,174 (2005-06) to ₹4,921 (2019-20), with widening disparities among states.
- States with Consistently High Per Youth Spending: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana.
- States Lagging in Higher Education Investment: Rajasthan, Punjab, Chhattisgarh.
