RUSA

Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), launched in 2013, aimed at providing strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions. The central funding — in the ratio of 60:40 for general category States, 90:10 for special category states, and 100% for union territories — is norm-based and outcome-dependent. Funding flows from the central ministry through state governments/union territories to the State Higher Education Councils before reaching identified institutions, based on a critical appraisal of each State’s Higher Education Plan addressing equity, access and excellence.

Key Objectives

1. To improve access, equity and quality in higher education through planned development at the state level.
2. To create new academic institutions and expand/upgrade existing ones, developing institutions that are self-reliant in quality education, professionally managed, and research-inclined, while remaining relevant to students and the nation as a whole.

Vision

To attain higher levels of access, equity and excellence in the State higher education system with greater efficiency, transparency, accountability and responsiveness.

Key Features

• Norm-based and performance-based funding.
• Commitment by States and institutions to certain academic, administrative and governance reforms is a precondition for receiving funding.
• Funds flow from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to universities and colleges through State governments.
• Funding to States is based on a critical appraisal of State Higher Education Plans (SHEPs), addressing each State’s strategy on equity, access and excellence.
• Each institution prepares an Institutional Development Plan (IDP) for all Scheme components, aggregated at the State level into the SHEP.
• State Higher Education Councils (SHECs) undertake planning, evaluation, monitoring and capacity-building functions.
• SHECs are the key state-level institution for channelling resources to institutions from the State budget.
• UGC schemes such as development grants and one-time catch-up grants are dovetailed into RUSA; individual-oriented schemes continue to be handled by UGC.
• Centre-State funding is 90:10 for North-Eastern States, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and 65:35 for other States and Union Territories.
• Funding for government-aided institutions is provided for permitted activities in a 50:50 ratio.
• States may mobilize private sector participation (donations and philanthropic grants), limited to a ceiling of 50% of the State share.
• State-wise allocations follow a formulaic entitlement index factoring in population, GER, Gender Parity Index, State expenditure on higher education, institutional density, teacher-student ratio, and related access/equity/quality measures — with further allocation dependent on state performance and reform commitment.

Priorities of the State

I. Quality Assurance

• NAAC assessment is mandatory for all institutions.
• Necessary grants are provided to help institutions undergo assessment.

II. Access and Equity

• Provide greater access to Higher Education with equity to all eligible persons, particularly vulnerable sections and the rural population.
• Expand access by supporting existing institutions and establishing new ones to remove present imbalances.

III. Infrastructure Development

• Thrust on infrastructure development corresponding to institutions’ academic requirements.
• Necessary grants are provided on a need basis to institutions within the state.

IV. Capacity Building in Students

• Introduction of job-oriented and industrially relevant courses / vocational courses (certificate, diploma, degree) to build student capacities for self-employment.
• Introducing remedial classes, tutorials, and career guidance.
• Necessary grants provided to institutions willing to introduce such courses/classes.

V. Faculty Recruitment

• High teacher-student ratio adversely affects quality teaching in higher education.
• Promote quality of Higher Education by lowering the teacher-student ratio.
• Incorporating ICT-based teaching-learning and virtual classrooms to bridge shortage of teachers.
• Necessary grants provided to institutions with high teacher-student ratios or introducing new courses/classes.

VI. Research and Innovation

• Addressing the lack of opportunity for research and development / limited publications.
• Enhancing library resource materials and laboratories.
• Promoting institutions/faculty through grants and facilities that support research.

The State’s important strategies include mandatory NAAC assessment for all institutions, assisting Higher Education Institutions in applying for accreditation, equitable access with enhanced reach to rural populations, infrastructure development corresponding to academic requirements, lowering the teacher-student ratio, incorporating ICT-based teaching and virtual classrooms, stimulating research culture, and strengthening library resources and laboratories.

With RUSA’s assistance, the State envisions an increase in the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), quality, access and equity in higher education, building a system responsible for producing bright minds while supporting sophisticated research across scientific and scholarly fields.

rusa.nic.in/resources/documents

RUSA Funds Utilization Status (as on June 2021)

Component: Infrastructure Grants to Colleges (7)
(Rc. No. 42/SPD/RUSA/AO/2015/6, Dt: 21.03.2016)

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