(a) whether the Government proposes to establish a number of virtual universities in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to achieve the desired gross enrolment ratio in higher education
as envisaged in National Education Policy?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)
(a) & (b) In order to promote Online Education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified
necessary regulation, which facilitates the Universities to offer full-fledged Online Program. The UGC
has also notified Credit Framework for Online Learning Courses through SWAYAM (Study Webs of
Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) Regulations, 2021 which allows upto 40% of the total
courses being offered in a particular programme in a semester through the online learning courses
offered through SWAYAM Platform.
(c) Several measures have been taken by the Government to increase the enrolment in higher
educational institutions, which inter-alia include opening of more centrally funded institution,
encouraging opening of institutions by State Governments through the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha
Abhiyan (RUSA) scheme, scholarship programmes to supplement the cost of education, use of ICT
technology-SWAYAM portal to reach out to people and allow them to secure good quality education.
As a result of the efforts made, the Gross enrolment Ratio (GER) has increased over the years, from
24.3% in 2014-2015 to 27.1% in 2019-2020.
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