College shortage behind high cut-offs

The high cut-off marks set for admission to Delhi University courses, such as the 100 per cent scores demanded by Sri Ram College of Commerce, reflect a deep-rooted crisis in the field of higher education in India.

Namely, a mismatch between the demand for, and supply of, quality institutions. (See chart)

India now has about 500 universities (roughly 300 government-run, 70 private and 130 deemed varsities) but needs four times this number, say government-appointed committees and experts. But adding 1,500 universities isn’t easy, especially keeping in mind how deemed universities are already enmeshed in controversy over their failure to meet quality norms.

The demand for quality institutions, meanwhile, keeps increasing every year because the number of students clearing their Class XII boards keeps rising. Without a similar increase in the number of higher-education institutions, the race for admission to the small number of good colleges gets stiffer by the year.

What turns the rush into a stampede is that the students are interested in specific courses in particular institutions, because of the quality of education and job opportunities on offer.

“When there is a limited number of quality institutions and the number of aspirants is increasing, the cut-off for admission has to be high. The answer lies in expanding higher education with quality,” said former Delhi University vice-chancellor Deepak Pental.

The now-disbanded National Knowledge Commission (NKC) had suggested as far back as 2007 that India needed another 1,500 universities. Two years later, the Committee for Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher Education, headed by renowned academic Yashpal, had quoted exactly the same figure.

“These proposed 1,500 universities should be created by upgrading existing colleges that are good in teaching and research,” Yashpal had said.

This month, the University Grants Commission (UGC) suggested that autonomous colleges identified as “colleges with potential for excellence” be converted into universities.

The shortage of colleges means India has a poor gross enrolment ratio (GER), the percentage of the population in the 18-23 age group enrolled in higher-education courses.

The GER is just 14 in India, far below the global average of 23. This means 86 per cent of the estimated 15 crore Indians aged between 18 and 23 are out of the higher-education system. The GER was about 10 per cent in 2005-06.

“Earlier, the country’s economy used to grow at just two to three per cent. All the sectors, including higher education, failed to witness the required expansion. As a result, the GER is very low,” said Sam Pitroda, adviser to the Prime Minister on infrastructure, innovation and infotech.

“Now, since our economy is growing at eight to nine per cent, we need to focus on expansion of higher education with quality and equity. At present, there is a gross mismatch between demand and supply in higher education.”

In its approach paper on higher education for the 12th plan, the UGC has asked that the private sector be encouraged to set up higher-education institutions in partnership with the government. It has also suggested introduction of a credit system and semesters to make it easier for students to switch universities.