PM-USHA: Empowering Higher Education with a ₹12,926 Crore Budget

GUWAHATI: Education Minister Ranoj Pegu recently shared exciting news on Twitter. He announced that the Rashtriya Ucchatar Siksha Abhiyan (RUSA) will now be known as the PM Ucchatar Siksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA). This change is in line with the National Education Policy and has been approved with a budget of ₹12,926 crore until March 2026.

The PM-USHA scheme aims to enhance the quality, accessibility, and inclusivity of higher education across the country. It will support the efforts of state and union territory governments in improving their higher education systems. By identifying and prioritizing areas that lack adequate educational opportunities, such as Focus Districts with low Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) and significant populations of SC/ST communities, the scheme will work towards bridging these gaps.

The PM-USHA initiative will focus on establishing new educational institutions and transforming existing ones to meet the evolving needs of students. The government will provide detailed guidelines and information about the scheme to all states and union territories, enabling them to implement it effectively.

This development marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of high-quality education for all. By aligning the PM-USHA scheme with the vision of the National Education Policy, the government aims to address the challenges faced by the higher education sector and foster a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape.

The renamed and revamped PM-Ucchatar Siksha Abhiyan is set to bring positive changes to the higher education sector, benefiting students across the nation. With the substantial budget allocation and a focused approach towards underserved areas, this initiative has the potential to create a transformative impact in the years to come.