India’s Higher Education Faces a Deepening Crisis: Deepak Nayyar

Rapid Summary

• Former Chief Economic Advisor Deepak Nayyar spoke on “The Crisis of Higher Education in India: Disturbing Present and Worrisome future” during the 2025 B.G. Deshmukh Lecture on July 9, 2025.
• He highlighted a deepening crisis in higher education characterized by inadequate opportunities and diminishing quality.
• Prof. Nayyar attributed the decline to increased political intervention since 2014, accelerating further after 2019, under BJP-led governance.
• The challenges include lack of inclusiveness, insufficient numbers of exemplary institutions, low international rankings, and systemic degradation.
• He critiqued mechanisms like centralization via the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admissions and politically motivated faculty selections influenced by RSS ideology instead of merit.
• According to Prof. Nayyar, institutional autonomy is compromised through government control over university actions.

Images from the article:
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Indian Opinion Analysis

The critical observations made by Prof. Deepak Nayyar point towards essential challenges plaguing India’s higher education sector-issues that deeply affect students’ access to quality academic programs as well as institutional credibility on a global scale. Political interference in higher education governance raises valid concerns about undermining meritocracy and academic freedom while centralized control measures invite scrutiny regarding clarity.

If university autonomy continues eroding due to external influences or ideological motivations as discussed, India’s future intellectual output risks entering a downward trajectory with long-term repercussions not just for academia but also for national innovation capabilities. Addressing thes challenges would require depoliticized reforms ensuring both inclusion and excellence across India’s educational institutions-a necessity if India aims to compete globally or fulfill aspirations toward enduring socio-economic advancement.

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