RISE IN PLAN OUTLAY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

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An outlay of Rs. 4176.50 crore has been approved during the X Five Year Plan for universities and higher education sector. The expenditure for this sector during the VIII and IX Five Year Plans was Rs. 1055.82 crore and Rs. 2270.92 crore respectively.

During the X Plan period, it is envisaged to increase the enrolment of students of the relevant age group (18 to 23 years) in higher education from the existing 6% to 10%. Both conventional and open learning systems would be used for achieving this goal. Besides, issues of quality and access, relevance, research and development and private participation are also proposed to be addressed.

This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Dr. Vallabhbhai Kahiria in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.