G. Viswanathan, Founder and Chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), has stressed the urgent need for the government to increase funding for higher education in India. He pointed out that while the country has made good progress in expanding access to colleges and universities, the allocation of resources for quality improvement, research, and infrastructure has not kept pace with global standards.
I am writing about this because the issue of higher education funding affects not only universities and students but also the future growth of our country. India is aspiring to become a global leader in knowledge and innovation, and for that, well-funded higher education is a must. Without sufficient government investment, institutions struggle to build research capacity, hire world-class faculty, and provide equal opportunities for students from all backgrounds. As someone who has seen the role of education in shaping careers and livelihoods, I strongly feel this is a topic that needs more attention and public discussion.
Why more funds are needed for higher education
India currently spends less than 1 percent of its GDP on higher education, far below countries like the US, UK, or China. This gap affects everything from faculty salaries to lab facilities and research grants. G. Viswanathan emphasised that universities in India can truly compete globally only when they receive strong financial support from the government.
Some key areas where more funds are required include:
- Research and Development (R&D): Indian universities contribute very little to global research output because of lack of funds.
- Infrastructure: Many government colleges face shortage of classrooms, labs, and hostel facilities.
- Faculty recruitment and training: Retaining talented teachers requires competitive salaries and career opportunities.
- Scholarships and financial aid: More funding can ensure students from poor families are not left out of higher education.
Private institutions and government support
While private universities like VIT have made strong contributions, Viswanathan argued that higher education cannot depend only on private funding. Government support is necessary to ensure inclusivity and affordability. If fees in private colleges are high, government universities must step in with subsidised quality education so that students from all sections of society benefit.
The way forward
Increasing budget allocation for higher education should be seen as an investment rather than an expense. Countries that have developed strong economies first invested heavily in universities and research. India too needs to focus on this path if it wants to reach its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
