How NEP and AI are shaping India's colleges: UGC Chairperson Vineet Joshi explains

At the India Today Education Conclave 2026, Union Secretary for Higher Education and UGC Chairperson Vineet Joshi presented a comprehensive overview of India’s higher education landscape.

He highlighted the progress made under the National Education Policy (NEP), addressed ongoing challenges, and shared the government’s roadmap for the future.

The session covered key areas including regulatory reforms, improving student well-being, enhancing research and innovation, and the integration of artificial intelligence and technology across universities to better prepare students for the evolving global job market.

NEP: NUMBERS, RESEARCH, AND A MINDSET SHIFT

Since the NEP’s rollout six years ago, India has seen a marked increase in higher education access and quality. According to Joshi, the country now has over 60,000 higher education institutions catering to around 4.5 crore students, with one of the highest female participation rates in the world.

“We are the third-largest country in terms of research publications, and the number of Indian universities appearing in global rankings has grown fivefold from 11 to 54,” Joshi said.

Beyond statistics, Joshi highlighted a fundamental change in mindset among institutions and students.

“Education is no longer only about getting a job; it is about creating jobs. Startups and industry-academia collaborations are now emerging across all disciplines, not just engineering or management," he added.

INNOVATION AND INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS

Responding to questions about India’s ability to compete with global education leaders like China or the US, Joshi pointed to the growth of research parks and homegrown AI initiatives.

“If you look at IIT Madras, the innovations happening there are as good as or better than many global counterparts. India’s decentralised system allows multiple models to thrive, reflecting the diversity of our country,” he noted.

He also highlighted domestic AI projects:

“Initiatives like Sarvam AI and Bharat Jain show that Indian institutions are actively building AI systems for domestic and international applications," he added.

REGULATORY REFORMS: MORE AUTONOMY, NOT CENTRALISATION

The Conclave also addressed concerns over the proposed Vik Sid Bharat Shiksha Adistan Bill, which seeks to replace UGC and AICTE with a single higher education regulator. Critics have raised fears of centralisation, but Joshi clarified:

“The new bill gives more power to institutions. Decisions will be based on public disclosure and fixed quality benchmarks, not inspections. This is about institutional autonomy, not centralisation.”

Regarding funding, he said:

“NEP recommended keeping finances separate from regulation. Funding will continue to be shared between central and state governments, similar to the current system under UGC.”

AI, SKILLS AND EDUCATION TO EMPLOYMENT PIPELINE

The government’s newly proposed Education to Employment Committee will explore ways to integrate AI into school and higher education, ensuring students are better prepared for industry needs. Joshi also outlined efforts to bridge learning gaps for incoming college students:

“Institutions like IITs assess students at entry and provide mentors or peer guidance groups to help them catch up, allowing learning at their own pace," he added.

ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH AND STUDENT-WELL BEING

On the rising concern over student suicides, Joshi acknowledged the complexity of the issue:

“Suicide is a multidimensional phenomenon. Institutions are increasing teacher-student interactions, introducing faculty guides, conducting health checkups, and adopting flexible attendance policies. Collaborative assignments and open-book exams also help reduce stress.”

He stressed that support from parents, institutions, and society is critical to addressing student mental health.

ENTRANCE EXAM REFORMS AND COACHING REGULATIONS

To prevent errors in entrance exams like NEET and CUET, the government has implemented new identity verification measures.

“A student’s identity is now verified three times while filling out the form, during the exam, and at admission using digital methods. State and district committees oversee exam centres and observers to ensure smooth conduct,” Joshi said.

Regarding coaching centres, Joshi noted their state-specific nature and ongoing regulation:

“Coaching is state-specific, and central guidelines have been issued. A committee under my chairmanship is evaluating further measures to ensure coaching does not become a source of malpractice.”

CENTRAL COORDINATION VERSUS INSTITUTIONAL FREEDOM

Joshi emphasised the role of the central government in coordinating standards without overstepping:

“Education is in the concurrent list. The central government provides direction, oversight, and guidance to maintain quality and student safety across states.

While India has made significant progress in expanding higher education, improving research, and fostering innovation, the focus now is on building a knowledge-driven ecosystem. Empowering institutions, supporting students, and strengthening collaboration between government, academia, and industry will be crucial to shaping the future of higher education in the country.