Parliament Question: Outcome based education

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-527 ANSWERED ON- 04/02/2026 Outcome based education 527. Shri Ratanjit Pratap Narain Singh: Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state: (a) whether ongoing regulatory and policy reforms aim to improve quality, accountability and outcome based education, if so, details thereof, if not, reasons therefor; (b) whether Indian institutions are gaining improved global rankings, collaborations and academic recognition, if so, details thereof, if not, reasons therefor; (c) how institutional autonomy and academic freedom is being safeguarded and the future reform agenda for making India a global education hub; and (d) whether faculty development, research funding and innovation ecosystems have been strengthened; and (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR) (a) to (c): The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 has been introduced in Lok Sabha on 15.12.2025. The Bill aims to enable and empower the Universities and other Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to achieve excellence in teaching, learning, research and innovation, through co-ordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions, and for that purpose to constitute a Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan, to facilitate the Universities and other HEIs to become independent self-governing institutions and to promote excellence through a robust and transparent system of accreditation and autonomy. Indian institutions are steadily improving their global standing. The number of Indian HEIs featured in the QS World University Rankings has risen from 11 in 2014 to 54 in 2026 thus reflecting consistent progress and expanding international recognition. Further, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified the University Grants Commission (Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Educational Institutions to offer Twinning, Joint Degree, and Dual Degree Programmes) Regulations, 2022, with the aim to encourage Indian HEIs to enter into academic collaboration with Foreign HEIs. The UGC has also notified the University Grants Commission (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Education Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023 to promote internationalization of Indian higher education to enable Indian students to obtain foreignqualifications at affordable cost, and to make India an attractive global study destination. The UGC has issued 14 Letters of Intent (LoIs) to foreign HEIs from Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America to establish campuses across India, including Bengaluru (Karnataka), Delhi NCR, Mumbai (Maharashtra), and Chennai (Tamil Nadu). (d) & (e): The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been established by the ANRF Act 2023 in February, 2024 with the aim to provide high level strategic direction for research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of science and technology with the provision of substantive share of budget contribution from private sector. ANRF has launched several programs like EV Mission, 2D Innovation Hub, Med-Tech and AI for Science and Engineering under Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA) to strengthen India’s research ecosystem, wherein ₹36,000 crore was stipulated from private sources. ANRF has also announced Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Research Program under MAHA. The Government has also launched the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme on November 3, 2025, a ₹1-lakh-crore initiative, representing a significant move to strengthen India’s research and development landscape. Further, Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme (MMTTP) is designed to align with the objectives of NEP-2020, with a focus on improving teaching quality, promoting holistic and multidisciplinary education, and strengthening leadership skills among faculty members. The scheme aims to enhance the quality of education at all levels by fostering excellence in both teachers and the teaching-learning process. The Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) scheme was also launched in 2018 with the aim of supporting 3,000 most talented students to pursue research with enhanced fellowship and research grant at total outlay of Rs. 1,650 crores. Under first phase of PMRF, 3688 scholars were admitted. In addition, 10,000 fellowships have been announced under PMRF in Budget 2025-26 for technological research in IITs and IISc with enhanced financial support. *****