IN pursuit of building a bright and empowered future for the youth of India, the Union Government has undertaken a series of ambitious initiatives focused on education and skill development. To ensure quality education and holistic growth at the grassroots level, Government has embarked on the establishment of over 14,500 PM SHRI Schools, out of which more than 6,000 schools have been operationalised.
As per official sources, empowering the youth involves providing them with the necessary resources, opportunities, and support to realise their full potential and contribute positively to society. In the realm of youth development, education has served as the foundation for intellectual growth and critical thinking, while sports fostered holistic development, instilling values of discipline, teamwork, and resilience.
Skill development equipped youth with the practical competencies needed to thrive in today’s dynamic world.
The past decade has witnessed a remarkable expansion of institutions of higher learning, including the establishment of 7 IITs, 16 IIITs, 8 IIMs and 385 universities. This surge in educational infrastructure is geared towards equipping the youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive India’s prosperity in the 21st century.
Fuelling the aspirations of the youth, the last decade saw the establishment of 16 AIIMS and 319 medical colleges. There were just7 AIIMS and less than 390 medical colleges in the country up to 2014. The number of MBBS seats has more than doubled in the past decade. Further, plans are underway for additional medical colleges using existing hospital infrastructure to expand opportunities for the youth.
The commitment to healthcare education is evident with 157 nursing colleges, cultivating a vibrant medical workforce. This youth-centric approach propels dreams and transforms healthcare education into an exciting journey for the future doctors of our nation.
Total enrolment in higher education has risen from 3.4 crore students in 2014 to 4.1 crore in 2023. A significant milestone is the increased dominance of girls in higher education, with the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) soaring to 28 per cent in 2020 from 12.7 per cent in 2010. This transformative trend, where female GER surpassed male GER since 2018, marked a new era. Additionally, efforts by the Government have contributed to reducing the dropout rate across the country. These initiatives have particularly benefited marginalized communities, with notable increases in enrolment rates for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Other Backward Classes (OBC) students.
The Samagra Shiksha initiative has made significant strides from 2018- 19 to 2023-24 like upgrading schools, opening new residential schools, strengthening infrastructure, and promoting vocational education.
