Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA):
Transforming India’s Higher Education System
India’s higher education system is undergoing a major transformation. With over 1000 universities and 40,000+ colleges, the challenge is not just increasing access, but ensuring quality, equity, and relevance. To address these issues and align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) in 2023. This scheme is the upgraded version of the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and aims to bring a systemic overhaul in the Indian higher education ecosystem.
What is PM-USHA?
PM-USHA stands for Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan. It is a centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It is designed to:
Improve the quality of teaching-learning in higher educational institutions
Foster digital transformation, multidisciplinary education, and research
Support states in implementing the reforms of NEP 2020
Ensure equity, inclusivity, and global competitiveness in higher education
Launch Year: 2023
Duration: 2023–2026 (aligned with 15th Finance Commission cycle)
Budget Allocation: ₹12,926 crore (Center’s share: ₹8,660 crore)
Historical Background: From RUSA to PM-USHA
Before PM-USHA, the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) was launched in 2013. RUSA focused on infrastructure development, access, and quality improvement in state universities and colleges. However, with the introduction of NEP 2020, the scope and ambition of higher education reform expanded.
Hence, PM-USHA was introduced as the revamped version of RUSA, with NEP goals embedded at its core. Unlike RUSA, which was more infrastructure-focused, PM-USHA is reform-driven and aligned with academic excellence and digital evolution.
To address these gaps and adopt NEP 2020 mandates, the government introduced PM-USHA, which aims to:
Move beyond just infrastructure and focus on academic reforms
Encourage digital pedagogy, smart classrooms, and AI-enabled education
Foster research ecosystems in regional institutions
Ensure NAAC/NBA accreditation and performance-based funding
Core Objectives of PM-USHA
1. Implement NEP 2020 in Letter and Spirit
Multidisciplinary education
Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)
Multiple entry-exit system
Institutional restructuring
Promote flexible credit-based learning and vocational integration
2. Strengthen State Higher Education Ecosystems
Financial and academic autonomy
Capacity building of institutions
Performance-based funding to states
3. Promote Equity and Inclusion
Special focus on Aspirational Districts, Northeast, and rural/tribal areas
Gender equity and support for disadvantaged groups
Ensure participation of SC/ST/OBC, PwD, and women students
4. Encourage Digital Transformation and Research
Smart classrooms, e-content, hybrid learning
Faculty training on tech-enabled tools
Interdisciplinary and applied research centers
5. Accreditation and Quality Assurance
All institutions under PM-USHA are expected to achieve NAAC accreditation
Performance linked to accreditation scores
Allow high-performing institutions to become autonomous universities
Promote accountability through performance metrics
Key Components of PM-USHA
PM-USHA has 4 major verticals that form the backbone of this scheme:
1. Enhancing Teaching-Learning and Quality
Curriculum revision as per NEP 2020
Faculty development programs (FDPs)
Use of AI, AR/VR, online labs
Focus on outcome-based education
2. Equity and Inclusion
Financial aid to institutions in backward regions
Girls’ hostels, SC/ST/OBC student support
Institutional facilitation for PwD students
3. Accreditation and Assessment
Mandatory NAAC/NBA accreditation
Funding linked to performance
Internal quality assurance cells (IQACs)
4. Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
Research grants for state universities
Establishment of Incubation centers and start-up hubs
Collaboration with industry and international partners
Student entrepreneurship incubation centers
Funding Pattern and Eligibility
Funding Ratio (Center:State):
Region Type | Funding Pattern |
|---|---|
| General States | 60:40 |
| Northeastern States, UTs with Legislature | 90:10 |
| UTs without Legislature | 100% Central |
Institutions must fulfill certain conditions:
NAAC/NBA accreditation
Registered on AISHE(All India Survey of Higher Education) and NAD(National Academic Depository) portals
Participation in NIRF(National Institutional Ranking Framework) and DIKSHA/SWAYAM platforms encouraged
Eligible Institutions:
State Public Universities
Government Colleges
Autonomous Colleges
Technical Institutions under State Governments
All participating institutions must register on the AISHE portal, undergo NAAC accreditation, and adopt UDISE+ reporting mechanisms.
Implementation Mechanism
PM-USHA will be implemented in a mission mode with clear timelines and performance metrics. It includes:
State Higher Education Councils (SHECs) for planning and monitoring
Project Approval Boards (PABs) at the central level for fund disbursement
Annual Performance Reports and third-party evaluations
Regular monitoring through dashboards, milestone tracking, and third-party audits
Use of PM-USHA Dashboard for real-time tracking
States are required to submit Higher Education State Perspective Plans (HESPPs) to access funds.
Impact on Indian Higher Education
Improved Quality
Focus on learning outcomes, faculty training, and digital tools is expected to raise academic standards.
Equitable Access
Emphasis on remote and tribal areas, women’s education, and support for minorities is a key pillar.
Autonomous and Accountable Institutions
Institutions will get greater flexibility but must show results, creating a culture of performance and accountability.
Research Ecosystem
State universities often lag behind central ones in research. PM-USHA aims to bridge this gap by funding innovation hubs and incubators.
Digital Transformation
Smart classrooms, digital libraries, and online learning systems will become integral to the state education system.
Challenges and Way Forward
Challenges:
Variation in state capacity to implement reforms
Lack of skilled faculty and training infra
Data accuracy and real-time monitoring
Resistance to change from traditional structures
Digital divide in rural institutions
Difficulty in bringing every institution under accreditation standards
Way Forward:
Regular workshops, consultations, and handholding for states
Integration with SWAYAM, DIKSHA, and NAD portals
Performance-linked rewards and transparency
Partnerships with private sector and foreign institutions
PM-USHA vs RUSA: Key Differences
| Aspect | RUSA | PM-USHA |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Infrastructure & Access | Quality, NEP, Digital, Research |
| Approach | Project-based | Reform-based |
| Duration | 2013–2020 | 2023–2026 |
| NEP 2020 | Not aligned | Fully integrated |
| Outcome Evaluation | Basic | Performance-linked & Tech-based |
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) is not just another funding scheme—it’s a comprehensive reform package aimed at reshaping India’s higher education from the ground up. By aligning with NEP 2020, focusing on quality, inclusion, and technology, and empowering state institutions, PM-USHA has the potential to transform the future of millions of students and place India firmly on the global education map.
Are you a student or educator impacted by PM-USHA? Share your experiences or questions in the comments below!
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Official Government Sources
PM-USHA Official Portal – https://v2.india.gov.in/spotlight/details/pradhan-mantri-uchchatar-shiksha-abhiyan-pm-usha