Kevadia, Gujarat :The two-day Vice-Chancellors’ Conference of Central Universities began today in Kevadia, Gujarat, under the aegis of the Ministry of Education and in collaboration with the Central University of Gujarat. The conference brought together more than 50 Vice Chancellors from across India to reflect on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and strategize for the roadmap to Viksit Bharat@2047.
Delivering the inaugural address, Union Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized that Panch Sankalpa—the five foundational commitments of NEP 2020—should serve as the guiding principle for all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). These include:
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Next-Gen Emerging Education
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Multidisciplinary Learning
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Innovative Pedagogies
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Holistic Education
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Bhartiya Education rooted in Indian ethos
India’s Higher Education System: A Decade of Transformation
Shri Pradhan highlighted the profound transformation in India’s higher education sector over the past decade:
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Student enrolment has grown by 30%, reaching 4.46 crore.
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Female enrolment increased by 38%, and for the first time, female GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio) has surpassed that of males.
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Ph.D. enrolments have doubled, with female Ph.D. candidates rising by 136%.
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GER for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes has improved by 10 and 8 percentage points respectively.
He stated that the establishment of over 1,200 universities and 46,000+ colleges in India is a testimony to the government’s commitment to inclusive education, social justice, and nation-building.
Vision 2047 and Institutional Responsibility
Calling on universities to take a “Students-First” approach, Shri Pradhan said:
“Students are the core of our national strength. Institutions must ensure they are not just degree-awarding entities, but ecosystems of innovation, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking.”
He directed every central university to prepare a strategy paper aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047, focusing on:
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Multidisciplinary education
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Integration of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS)
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Tech-driven learning
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Skill development and future-of-work alignment
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On-campus innovation and traditional value integration
The Minister urged that every university must transform into a knowledge hub that produces job creators, ethical innovators, and social entrepreneurs.
NEP 2020 Implementation: Milestones and Mandates
The conference also marked the fifth anniversary of NEP 2020. In his remarks, Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, said:
“NEP 2020 is not just a policy document but a vision blueprint to build globally competitive, inclusive, and holistic education institutions.“
He added that NEP is grounded in five foundational pillars:
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Access
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Equity
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Quality
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Affordability
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Accountability
These principles are reflected in reforms like the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP), National Credit Framework (NCrF), digital learning initiatives (SWAYAM, AAPAR), and faculty development schemes.
Thematic Focus Areas
The conference will feature ten thematic sessions over two days, covering vital issues such as:
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Implementation of NHEQF/NCrF
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Alignment of curricula with the Future of Work
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Digital tools for credit transfer and inclusive education
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University Governance Systems (SAMARTH)
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Equity and inclusiveness in HEIs
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Indian languages and Knowledge Systems (IKS)
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Boosting research, innovation, and faculty development
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Global partnerships under Study in India
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Strengthening the ranking and accreditation system
Stakeholder Reflections
Dr. Sunil Barnwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education, reaffirmed the importance of public-private and intra-institutional collaboration to move the NEP vision forward. Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, Chancellor, Central University of Gujarat, emphasized the role of Indian Knowledge Systems and called on academic leaders to follow “Six Principles of Karmayoga” for institutional transformation.
Prof. Rama Shanker Dubey, VC of the Central University of Gujarat, affirmed that all Central Universities are committed to taking proactive steps to realize the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 on their campuses.
Moving Forward: Strategic Outcomes Expected
The discussions over the two days will focus on three key goals:
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Strategic Alignment: Ensuring that all institutions are synchronized with NEP’s next-phase targets.
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Peer Learning: Facilitating knowledge exchange and collaborative innovation among academic leaders.
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Readiness for 2047: Preparing institutions to meet future policy milestones and adapt to global academic trends.
Institutions like University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Tripura University, Sikkim University, Visva-Bharati, Central University of Kashmir, and many more are participating in this conference to set benchmarks and learn from each other.
Conclusion of Vice-Chancellors’ Conference
The Vice-Chancellors’ Conference is not just a policy review meet—it is a strategic convergence of India’s higher education vision. With NEP 2020 acting as the lodestar for educational reform, and under the guidance of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, the roadmap to a globally respected, inclusive, multidisciplinary, and future-ready education system is being actively constructed. The outcomes of this conference are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of Indian higher education as the nation journeys toward becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Source: PIB
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