Key Points
- India needs 2,500 universities to reach 50% student enrollment in higher education.
- Only 29% of eligible students are currently enrolled, with 1,200 universities serving over four crore students.
- India is a digital and financial hub, with over 120 crore people having bank accounts.
- Digital public infrastructure, like UPI, is driving innovations across the country.
- India is expected to become a USD 30 trillion economy by 2047.
- Ongoing efforts are transforming infrastructure, including water, electricity, roads, and housing.
- India aims to lead in cutting-edge technologies like AI, semiconductors, and climate solutions.
Looma News
India will need 2,500 universities to ensure 50% of eligible students are enrolled in higher education, said NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam during a speech at the Indian School of Business (ISB). Right now, India has 1,200 universities, but only 29% of students who are eligible for higher education are enrolled. Subrahmanyam stressed that increasing the number of universities is key to reaching the goal and suggested that education delivery needs to change to accommodate more students.
Subrahmanyam also pointed out India’s impressive progress in digital infrastructure, which has helped make the country a leader in digital and financial innovations. With over 120 crore citizens having bank accounts, India now processes 10 billion digital transactions each month, with UPI at the forefront.
Looking ahead, Subrahmanyam forecasted that India could become a USD 30 trillion economy by 2047, surpassing both the US and China. He also mentioned the country’s ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, such as providing clean drinking water, electricity, and roads to every village. Additionally, India is making strides in tackling climate change and advancing technologies like AI and semiconductors, which will play a major role in its future economic success.
Subrahmanyam added that NITI Aayog is developing a long-term vision for India’s future, focusing on areas like agriculture, urban development, and technology. He emphasized that India should aim to lead global efforts in developing next-generation technologies and setting international standards for them.