Question : RISE for IITs

(a) whether the Government has launched a new scheme ‘Revitalising Infrastructure and Systems
in Education’ (RISE) with fund of Rs. 1 trillion and if so, the details thereof along with the fund
earmarked for Centrally funded institutions including Delhi and Punjab Universities;
(b) whether under RISE, there will be no further grant-in-aid for new infrastructure in Centrally-
Funded Institutions (CFIs) such as the IITs, NITs, IIMs, IIITs and Csentral universities;
(c) if so, whether concern has been raised regarding new funding model under RISE from grants
to loans through the Higher Education Funding Agency (HEFA);
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the Government’s reaction thereto; and
(e) the other major initiatives/steps being taken by the Government in higher education sector in
the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a) & (b):Madam, the Government has announced to step up investments in research and
related infrastructure in premier educational institutions, including health institutions, to launch a major initiative named ‘‘Revitalising Infrastructure and Systems in Education (RISE) by 2022’’
with a total investment of Rs1,00,000 crore in next four years. Higher Education Financing
Agency (HEFA) would be suitably structured for funding this initiative.
The model would operate by moving all infrastructure financing (from the existing dependence
on budget grant) to the HEFA which has been set up by Government to mobilise the funds from
market and service the requirements of the CFIs and other institutions set up in all the states of
the country including Delhi and Punjab.
However, considering the internal revenues of institutions, different windows of financing are
envisaged and the scheme is yet to be approved by Competent Authority.
(c): Madam, since the scheme is still under formulation, no concern has been raised regarding
new funding model under RISE from grants to loans through the Higher Education Financing
Agency (HEFA).
(d): Does not arise.
(e): The Government has taken major initiatives in higher education in the country, some of
which are as follows:
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? Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) to develop and
make available ‘Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs)’ to learners throughout the
country.
? Establishment of Research Parks in Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
? Prime Minister Kaushal Vikas Yojna by Technical Institutions (PMKVY-TI) is being
implemented through (AICTE) approved colleges during off-college hours to impart
unemployed youth, the Engineering Skills and find placement in suitable private sector
jobs.
? Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) to provide solutions to the
most relevant engineering challenges and translating knowledge into viable technology.
? Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana(UAY) to promote innovation of a higher order that impacts
the needs of the Industry and thereby improving the competitive edge of Indian
manufacturing.
? Global Initiative for Academics Network (GIAN) to bring together foreign and Indian
faculties from the world’s leading academic institutions to teach an academic course that
provided the credit to participating institutions.
? Swayam Prabha is an initiative to provide 32 high quality educational channels through
DTH (Direct to Home) across the length and breadth of the country on 24x7 basis.
</pre>
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