Role of State Universities in India’s Higher Education and Research System

State universities are the backbone of India’s higher education system. Spread across the country, these institutions cater to lakhs of students every year, especially from small towns and rural areas. While much attention is given to central institutions like IITs, IIMs, and national research institutes, state universities quietly carry the major load—offering affordable education and

I am writing about this because the quality of education and research in our country cannot improve unless we seriously invest in state universities. We often chase foreign rankings and focus too much on elite institutions, but forget that 93% of students in India study in state and private universities. The students who come from villages and tier-2 or tier-3 towns don’t go to IITs or JNU—they go to these state universities. If these institutions are not given enough funds, proper autonomy, and academic support, then how will India become a knowledge-based economy? It’s time we stop ignoring them and start understanding their potential and their problems. I studied in a state university myself, so I know the gaps are real—but so is the potential.

Understanding the Role of State Universities

India has over 450 state public universities, according to UGC data. These institutions are funded and managed by respective state governments. They usually operate in partnership with affiliated colleges and offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes.

Most of the students in India’s higher education system pass through state universities. These universities are crucial for ensuring access to education for all sections of society, especially first-generation learners and marginalised groups.

The Challenges State Universities Face

Despite their importance, state universities often struggle with:

Inadequate funding: State governments rarely prioritise higher education in their budgets. Many universities lack proper labs, libraries, and research facilities.
Staff shortages: Thousands of teaching posts remain vacant across the country, leading to overburdened faculty and drop in teaching quality.
Political interference: Administrative appointments and university governance often get influenced by local politics, reducing academic autonomy.
Lack of research ecosystem: Unlike centrally funded institutions, state universities don’t have access to big grants or international collaborations.
Outdated curriculum: Many universities fail to update their syllabus regularly, making graduates less employable.

Are There Any Good Examples?

Yes, despite the odds, some state universities have made a mark. For example:

Savitribai Phule Pune University and Jadavpur University are known for their research contributions and academic standards.
Delhi’s Ambedkar University has shown how state-funded institutions can focus on liberal arts and social sciences with quality.
University of Hyderabad, though central now, was once a state-driven initiative that has matured well.

These examples prove that with the right leadership and support, state universities can thrive.

What Needs to Be Done

If we want our higher education to be truly inclusive and world-class, here are a few urgent steps:

Increase public funding: State governments must treat higher education as an investment, not an expense.
Grant academic autonomy: Universities should have the freedom to design courses, hire faculty, and manage academic affairs without bureaucratic control.
Strengthen research culture: Introduce seed grants for young researchers, build research labs, and encourage interdisciplinary work.
Modernise infrastructure: Basic facilities like clean classrooms, internet access, digital libraries, and student housing must be improved.
Link universities to local needs: Research and curriculum must reflect local challenges—whether it is agriculture, rural development, healthcare, or climate change.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.