Parliament Question: Model Degree Colleges in Educationally Backward Districts of Andhra Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2640 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 Model Degree Colleges in Educationally Backward Districts of Andhra Pradesh 2640. Shri P V Midhun Reddy: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) the number of model degree colleges sanctioned, approved and currently operational in educationally backward districts of Andhra Pradesh; (b) the criteria adopted for identifying such educationally backward districts and the institutions selected for establishment of model degree colleges in the said State; (c) the district-wise allocation of funds, details of funding released so far and the timelines for establishment and operationalisation of these Model Degree Colleges in Andhra Pradesh; and (d) the quality-assurance mechanisms put in place for these Model Degree Colleges, including the norms for faculty recruitment and infrastructure development? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (Dr. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR) (a) to (d): Education being in the Concurrent List, enhancing the quality of education is the responsibility of both the Central and State Governments. However, recognizing the need for central assistance, the Central Government has implemented various centrally sponsored schemes including Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) for supporting the State Governments. The government has launched the third phase of the RUSA in June 2023 in the form of Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), with an outlay of Rs. 12,926.10 crore, including the committed liabilities of the earlier phases of RUSA, for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26, to cater to the needs of educationally unserved/ underserved areas. The scheme has been further extended till 31st March, 2028 for completion of PM-USHA projects and for additional 6 months (i.e., 30th September, 2026) for completion of ongoing RUSA projects.Under PM-USHA, priority is given to Focus Districts. The focus districts are identified by the concerned States/ UTs based on various criteria including low Gross Enrolment Ratio, Gender Parity, population proportion and enrolment proportion for females, transgenders, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, Aspirational/ Border Area/ Left Wing Extremism prone district, etc. The State of Andhra Pradesh has identified 13 districts as focus districts. Under the earlier phases of RUSA, a total of 8 New Model Degree Colleges (NMDCs) have been approved for the State of Andhra Pradesh for a total amount of Rs. 94.66 crore. As per the information furnished by the State, all NMDCs are functional. The district-wise details of amount approved and released to the 8 NMDCs, as per the information furnished by the State are as given below: Total Amount S. Total Amount Name of New Model Degree College (NMDC) Released, so No. Approved (Crore) far (Crore) 1 GDC(W), Araku, Visakhapatnam 12.00 11.81 2 GDC, Atmakur, Kurnool 12.00 11.11 3 GDC, Cheepurupalli, Vizianagaram 12.00 11.79 4 GDC, Jaggampeta, East Godavari 10.66 10.66 5 GDC, Kamavarapukota, West Godavari 12.00 11.64 6 GDC, Pathapatnam, Srikakulam 12.00 11.94 7 GDC, Pendlimarri, Kadapa 12.00 11.86 8 GDC, Yerragondapalem, Prakasam 12.00 9.40 *****