India’s Higher Education at an Inflection Point: How the NEP Is Reshaping Universities, Research and Talent

India’s higher education system is undergoing a quiet but consequential transformation. The National Education Policy (NEP) is no longer just a vision document; it is actively reshaping regulation, degree structures, research priorities and institutional behaviour. At a time when India is home to the world’s largest young population, how effectively universities prepare students for learning, work and leadership will have long-term implications for economic growth, social mobility and global standing.

Why policy momentum matters in higher education

Higher education reform is notoriously difficult because outcomes unfold over decades, not election cycles. The NEP’s importance lies in the consistency of state attention it has brought to the sector. China’s experience — where sustained government focus helped expand scale while improving quality — offers a relevant lesson, even if India’s democratic and institutional context is very different.

Clear policy direction has created confidence among institutions to experiment with curriculum reform, interdisciplinary structures and new pedagogies. When the state signals long-term commitment, universities invest, faculty innovate, and students and parents gain trust in the system.

Building a national research ecosystem: ANRF and RDI

One of the most significant shifts over the past year has been the institutionalisation of India’s research ecosystem. The creation of the “Anusandhan National Research Foundation” (ANRF), alongside the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, marks a decisive move away from fragmented funding toward strategic coordination.

The two instruments serve complementary purposes. ANRF focuses on long-term scientific research, interdisciplinary inquiry and stronger industry–academia collaboration. The RDI Scheme, meanwhile, emphasises private-sector participation and market-ready innovation. Together, they signal that research is no longer peripheral to higher education but central to India’s development ambitions.

How institutions are rethinking learning and student experience

Indian higher education institutions themselves have begun pushing reform beyond compliance. Several IIMs have announced undergraduate programmes, challenging their long-standing postgraduate-only identity. Colleges are embedding well-being, life skills and apprenticeships into curricula, recognising that employability and student success extend beyond exam performance.

Universities are also aligning with the NEP’s flexible degree architecture. As institutions begin graduating their first four-year undergraduate cohorts, students now have genuine choice between three-year and four-year pathways. The Bachelor’s with Honours in Research stands out as a crucial addition, offering the depth required for global academic and scientific competitiveness.

Global rankings and what they reveal — and don’t

These reforms are beginning to reflect in global metrics. In the “QS World University Rankings” 2026, 54 Indian universities were featured — up from just 11 in 2015 and 46 in 2025. India is now the fourth-most represented country and the fastest-rising G20 nation in these rankings.

While rankings are imperfect, they do indicate progress in research output, faculty strength and international engagement. More importantly, they signal to students — both domestic and international — that Indian institutions are increasingly credible global options.

Global mobility is shifting — and India must adapt

Over 1.25 million Indian students currently study abroad, according to the “Ministry of External Affairs”. However, tightening visa regimes, geopolitical uncertainty and rising costs are forcing a rethink. Increasingly, higher education is globalising in both directions: foreign universities are entering India, while Indian institutions are expanding overseas.

This makes the quality of domestic higher education a strategic priority. High-quality options at home are no longer just about access — they are about retaining talent and offering credible alternatives in an uncertain global environment.

Regulatory consolidation and the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill

The next major inflection point is regulatory reform through the “Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill”, 2025. The Bill proposes a single apex structure with separate councils for regulation, standards and accreditation, addressing the fragmentation and overlapping mandates that have long plagued higher education governance.

This consolidation matters because India is beyond the era of narrow institutional silos. While specialised institutions once served specific national needs, today’s economy requires interaction across technology, management, science and liberal education. A unified regulatory framework can enable that coordination while improving transparency and public trust — especially crucial when private institutions educate nearly two-thirds of students.

Artificial intelligence enters the classroom — and administration

Another defining shift is the integration of artificial intelligence into teaching, assessment and university management. India’s diversity of learners and institutional models positions it uniquely to shape context-sensitive applications of AI, rather than merely importing global templates.

The “Ministry of Education”’s launch of four centres of excellence in AI — focused on education, health, agriculture and sustainable cities — reflects a structured attempt to align technology with national priorities. Hosted at premier institutions, these centres aim to develop best practices that could influence global debates on ethical and effective AI use in education.

Why science education needs renewed attention

While innovation policy often focuses on outcomes, the pipeline begins with foundational science education. Despite progress, large gaps remain in hands-on and experiential learning. Strengthening campus makerspaces, deepening engagement with start-ups and industry, and ensuring access to robust tools and laboratories are essential for building a competitive deep-tech ecosystem.

Without strong science education at scale, ambitions in AI, semiconductors and biotechnology will struggle to find the skilled talent they require.

Scaling access without diluting quality

India’s target of achieving a 50% gross enrolment ratio by 2035 will require treating higher education as national infrastructure. Digital delivery models, backed by India’s expanding internet ecosystem, offer a way to move beyond physical capacity constraints and reach underserved learners.

Yet scale cannot come at the cost of academic standards. A genuine culture of learning, strong faculty ecosystems and rigorous assessment will continue to define quality — regardless of delivery mode.

The road ahead for a Viksit Bharat

The direction of reform is clear and momentum is building. But translating policy into outcomes will require trust between the state and institutions, sustained investment and a relentless focus on excellence. For a Viksit Bharat, high-quality education is not a sectoral concern — it is the foundation of high-quality talent and long-term national competitiveness.

India now has a rare opportunity. Whether it can convert policy ambition into durable institutional strength will shape not only its youth, but its place in the world.