Parliament Question: Financial assistance under RUSA in Gujarat

**Executive Summary** This document is the answer provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2427, answered on 15.12.2025, concerning financial assistance under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyaan (RUSA) in Gujarat. The response details allocations made under RUSA 1.0, 2.0 and Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA). The Government launched the third phase of RUSA in June 2023 in the form of Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) with an outlay of Rs. 12926.10 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26. **Key Points / Main Content** * **RUSA and PM-USHA Programs:** * The Department of Higher Education is implementing Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a centrally sponsored scheme. * RUSA aims to improve the quality of State government universities and colleges. * The third phase of RUSA was launched in June 2023 as Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA). * PM-USHA has an outlay of Rs. 12926.10 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26. * **Financial Assistance to Gujarat:** * Under RUSA 1.0 and 2.0, 96 projects for Rs 426.59 crore were approved in Gujarat. * Under PM-USHA, 30 projects including Multi-Disciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERU), Grants to Strengthen Universities (GSU), Grants to Strengthen Colleges (GSC) and Gender Inclusion and Equity Initiatives (GIEI), for a total amount of Rs. 419.15 Crore (central share of Rs. 253.15 Crore) have been approved. * District-wise details of the projects approved under PM-USHA in the last five years are provided in an annexure. * **District-Wise PM-USHA Project Allocations (as per annexure):** * Ahmedabad: 3 projects, Rs 35.00 crore. * Anand: 1 project, Rs 20.00 crore. * Various other districts (Banas Kantha, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Botad, Chhotaudepur, Gandhinagar, Gir Somnath, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kachchh, Kheda, Narmada, Navsari, Patan, Porbandar, Rajkot, Surat, Surendranagar, Valsad, Dohad) are listed with project numbers and amounts. * Rajkot and Surat each have 2 projects for Rs 105.00 crore. * The total amount approved for the 30 projects is Rs 419.15 crore. **Impact Analysis** * **State Government of Gujarat:** * **Impact**: Receives financial assistance for developing higher education infrastructure and improving the quality of state universities and colleges. * **Action Required**: Utilize the allocated funds effectively for the approved projects under RUSA and PM-USHA to enhance higher education in the state, specifically in educationally underserved areas. * **State Government Universities and Colleges in Gujarat:** * **Impact**: Benefit from funding to improve their quality, adhere to prescribed norms, and implement initiatives like MERU, GSU, GSC, and GIEI. * **Action Required**: Comply with RUSA and PM-USHA guidelines for project implementation and quality enhancement, ensuring effective utilization of the funds. * **Students in Gujarat:** * **Impact**: Benefit from improved higher education infrastructure and quality in state universities and colleges. * **Action Required**: No immediate action is required from students. * **Department of Higher Education, Government of India:** * **Impact**: Responsible for the implementation and monitoring of RUSA and PM-USHA programs in Gujarat. * **Action Required**: Continue to oversee the execution of the approved projects, ensuring compliance with guidelines and achieving the objectives of the schemes.

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