NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam has emphasized the necessity of doubling the number of universities in India to 2,500 to ensure 50% of students can access higher education. Speaking at the Indian School of Business (ISB) on Friday, Subrahmanyam highlighted that despite one university and two colleges being established weekly over the last decade, only 29% of the age-eligible population currently enrolls in universities.
“Today, we have 1,200 universities serving over four crore students, but that only accounts for 29% of the cohort age group. We need at least 50% of our students in higher education, which requires doubling our institutions,” Subrahmanyam stated. He also mentioned that innovative approaches to education delivery might be needed to meet this demand.
Subrahmanyam praised India’s digital advancements, describing the country as “the biggest laboratory in the digital world.” With the widespread adoption of digital identities and financial inclusion, India now processes nearly 50% of global financial transactions. He noted that India’s digital public infrastructure allows unprecedented large-scale experimentation, making the nation a hub for financial technology innovation.
He also reflected on India’s rapid progress over the past decade, including improvements in infrastructure, poverty alleviation, and technological initiatives. By 2047, India is projected to become a $30 trillion economy, surpassing current economic giants like the United States and China. Additionally, Subrahmanyam outlined NITI Aayog’s commitment to preparing strategic visions for the country’s future, emphasizing research, innovation, and climate-friendly technologies.