PM-USHA
🧭 Context: Why Do We Need a Dedicated Scheme for State HEIs?
If school education is the foundation of a strong nation, then higher education is the engine of growth and innovation. But there’s a paradox—while elite institutions like IITs and IIMs flourish, a large section of India’s higher education system, especially in the states, suffers from poor infrastructure, outdated curriculum, lack of accreditation, and a disconnection from the job market.
To address this imbalance, the government had earlier launched RUSA (Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) in 2013, followed by its second phase in 2018.
But with the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, there was a need for a more modern, flexible, and inclusive scheme — and hence came PM-USHA.
🔍 Quick Overview: Snapshot of PM-USHA
| Feature | Details |
| Full Form | Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan |
| Type | Centrally Sponsored Scheme |
| Tenure | 2023–24 to 2025–26 |
| Coverage | Government and government-aided HEIs in States/UTs |
| Purpose | Cater to underserved regions, improve quality and access in State Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) |
🎯 Objectives: What Does PM-USHA Aim to Achieve?
This scheme is not just about funding buildings — it is about reforming the very DNA of higher education in the states. Its core objectives include:
- Improving quality and accreditation status of State HEIs
- Implementing NEP 2020 recommendations through financial and academic support
- Providing higher education access to underserved communities and regions
- Enhancing employability through skilling and vocational education
- Strengthening digital infrastructure for ODL (Open & Distance Learning) and online learning
- Building linkages between school education and the employment market
- Promoting multidisciplinarity across STEM, Commerce, and Humanities streams
Special focus is given to:
- Aspirational districts
- LWE-prone and border areas
- Low GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio) districts
- SC/ST/OBC/Minority populations
🏛️ Background: From RUSA to PM-USHA
| Timeline | Evolution |
| 2013 | RUSA launched to improve access and quality in State HEIs |
| 2018 | RUSA 2.0 launched for expanded coverage |
| 2023 | PM-USHA launched with a NEP 2020-aligned vision |
🧱 Key Components of PM-USHA
| Component | Focus Area |
| MERU (Multidisciplinary Education & Research Universities) | Only accredited state universities eligible. Based on NAAC/NIRF rankings. |
| Grants for Strengthening Universities | Both accredited and unaccredited state universities eligible |
| Grants for Strengthening Colleges | Applies to government and aided colleges, regardless of accreditation |
| New Model Degree Colleges | Focused on districts without any government HEI |
| Gender Inclusion & Equity Initiatives | District-level interventions — e.g., sensitization, common hostels for girls, etc. |
| MMER (Management, Monitoring, Evaluation & Research) | 2% of total fund (1% for states, 1% for Centre) used for monitoring and research |
🎯 Targeted Priorities: The “Focus District” Strategy
The scheme gives priority to districts based on:
- Low Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)
- High SC/ST/OBC or female/transgender population
- Designation as aspirational, border, or LWE-prone
States are expected to identify such districts, ensuring the resources reach where they’re needed most.
🛠️ Implementation and Monitoring Mechanism
| Level | Responsibility |
| National Mission Authority (NMA) | Chaired by Union Education Minister — overall policy guidance |
| Project Approval Board (PAB) | Chaired by Secretary, Higher Education — reviews proposals and performance |
| Central, State & Regional Levels | Continuous monitoring and evaluation of projects |
❌ Activities Not Supported Under PM-USHA
It is important to note what this scheme does not fund:
- Salaries, pensions, or recurring staff benefits
- Stipends, scholarships, or fellowships for students
- Maintenance or operational costs of institutions
This keeps the focus strictly on capital development, infrastructure, and academic reform.
🎓 Thematic Pillars: PM-USHA and the Five Pillars of NEP 2020
Let’s understand how this scheme aligns itself with the five foundational pillars of NEP 2020:
| Pillar | How PM-USHA Supports |
| Equity, Access & Inclusion | Expands HEIs in underserved regions, promotes multilingualism and gender inclusivity |
| Quality Teaching & Learning | Upgrades digital and physical infrastructure, funds faculty training |
| Accreditation Focus | Encourages non-accredited institutions to gain recognition, provides handholding support |
| ICT-Based Digital Infrastructure | Promotes MOOCs, online learning, and digital platforms |
| Multidisciplinarity & Employability | Encourages establishment of employment cells, connects academia to industry |
🧩 Conclusion: PM-USHA’s Place in India’s Higher Education Story
PM-USHA is not merely a funding scheme — it is a nation-building tool. It seeks to balance the glaring inequalities between elite institutions and struggling State colleges, and ensures that no student is denied higher education due to geography, identity, or socio-economic background.
For UPSC aspirants, PM-USHA is relevant across multiple angles:
- GS Paper II → Governance, Education, Social Justice
- Essay Paper → Human Capital, Regional Inequality, Digital Divide
- Optional Subjects → Especially Sociology, Public Administration, or Education
- Interview → Higher education reforms, NEP implementation, employability issues