Dharmendra Pradhan, union education minister has penned a letter to Naveen Patnaik, chief minister, Odisha, urging him to adopt the PM-USHA scheme within the state. This initiative, known as the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), is designed to enhance higher education and foster graduate employability. Pradhan highlighted that the PM-USHA scheme, with a total allocation of Rs 12,926.10 crore, will remain in effect until March 2026. However, states are required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education for its execution, according to an official statement.
The letter emphasised that the PM-USHA Scheme aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy, 2020, aiming to elevate access, equity and excellence in higher education across states and Union Territories (UTs), particularly prioritising underserved areas. The letter underlined the need to focus on districts with a low gross enrolment ratio (GER), significant Dalit and tribal populations, and those affected by left-wing extremism, the statement mentioned.
Additionally, the scheme envisions the establishment of new educational institutions and the transformation of existing ones. Patnaik stressed the importance of aligning state proposals with key reforms such as multiple entry-exit, academic bank of credits, National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF), and Indian knowledge systems to enhance coordination with government policies and schemes.
The education minister conveyed that the process for submitting proposals to receive grant-in-aid under the scheme has commenced through a dedicated portal. Pradhan, who has roots in Odisha, personally appealed to Patnaik to oversee the matter to ensure that the state maximises the benefits offered by the scheme, as per the statement.
With inputs from PTI.