The Government has been constantly striving to develop a system of higher education of quality appropriate to the national needs and aspirations and in tune with global trends. To increase access to Higher Education, new Institutions of National Importance viz. Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institute of Information Technology, Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, National Institutes of Technology, universities and Colleges are established, intake capacity of existing institutions is enhanced, quality distance education is promoted and quality private education institutions are allowed to operate for creating opportunities for students belonging to disadvantaged section of the society.

Further, Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), provides strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions. The objective is to achieve the target of Gross Enrolment Ratio of 30% by the year 2019-20 with equity and inclusion.

The Department of Higher Education has a scheme called Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme on education loan for students belonging to Economically Weaker Sections. The objective of the Scheme is to encourage poor students aspiring to pursue Higher Education especially in Technical and Professional education. Government of India bears full interest subsidy during the Moratorium period.

This information was given by the Minister of State (HRD), Dr. Satya Pal Singh today in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.

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