The Ministry of Education recently conducted a two-day Vice Chancellors’ Conference for Central Universities at Kevadia in Gujarat. Held on 8th and 9th July 2025, the event brought together top university leaders, policymakers, and education experts from across the country. The purpose of the meet was to discuss the progress of higher education reforms, share best practices across institutions, and assess the ongoing implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
I chose to write about this because such conferences are not just high-level events. They directly impact how our universities function and how education is delivered to lakhs of students across India. When VCs from 46 Central Universities gather in one place, backed by key government officials and academic thinkers, it’s not just a formality. It’s where decisions and directions for the future of public education are shaped. For students, faculty, and even aspiring educators, understanding these discussions helps in staying aware of policy shifts, reforms, and institutional priorities that will affect their future.
Key Highlights of the Conference
The conference was chaired by the Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan and was attended by Ministers of State for Education, Secretary of Higher Education, UGC Chairman, AICTE Chairman, and other senior officials.
The main themes of discussion included:
- Implementation status of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
- Plans for increasing internationalisation of Indian universities
- Institutional development goals under PM-USHA (University Support and Handholding Scheme)
- Ways to enhance employability and skill development
- Improving governance and academic standards in Central Universities
Discussions also focused on digital infrastructure in higher education, innovation in teaching methods, and collaboration between institutions.
Participation from Across the Country
Vice Chancellors from all 46 Central Universities were present at the conference. These included universities such as Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University, Aligarh Muslim University, and University of Hyderabad.
Such a large and diverse participation ensured that the issues discussed reflected the needs and experiences of institutions from different regions—be it the North-East, central India, or metropolitan campuses. It also provided a platform for sharing successful models and addressing region-specific challenges.
Why PM-USHA Scheme Was in Focus
A significant part of the discussions revolved around the PM-USHA scheme. This initiative aims to strengthen Central and other public universities by providing financial assistance and mentoring support.
The scheme’s core idea is to reduce the performance gap between institutions and to bring a standard quality of education and research across India. VCs were asked to actively align their goals with the objectives of PM-USHA and explore new proposals for funding and academic innovation.
What the Education Minister Said
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while addressing the gathering, emphasised that Central Universities must become role models in implementing the NEP. He urged universities to focus on creating multidisciplinary academic ecosystems and promoting research that has both national and local relevance.
He also spoke about the importance of making Indian universities future-ready, with better use of technology, stronger industry linkages, and more student-friendly governance models.
Final Thoughts
The two-day conference at Kevadia was more than just a formal meeting. It served as a review, a planning session, and a collaborative effort towards shaping the next phase of Indian higher education. With all top-level university heads and policymakers in one room, this meet will likely influence key reforms in how Central Universities operate in the coming years.
For those of us in academia—whether students, teachers, or researchers—it’s worth keeping track of the outcomes of such discussions. They signal where higher education in India is headed and how institutions are being nudged to evolve.
