RUSA-PM-USHA
Preface
The Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched by the Ministry of Education (Erstwhile Ministry of Human Resource Development) in October 2013 empowering the Higher Education Institutions to enhance learning, better research and promote innovation. Maharashtra adopted the scheme in May 2015, implementing RUSA 1.0 and 2.0 during the 12th and 13th Five-Year Plans respectively, followed by the launch of PM-USHA (RUSA 3.0) in 2023. The funding is shared between the Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra in a 60:40 ratio. A total of 81 projects have been sanctioned under RUSA 1.0 and 2.0 in the state, of which 57 were completed by March 2023. In 2023, 61 projects were sanctioned under PM-USHA.
Vision
To transform the higher education landscape in India by ensuring inclusive, equitable, and quality education across all states, empowering institutions to achieve global standards of excellence, and fostering innovation, employability, and social justice through strategic support and systemic reforms.
RUSA 1.0
Objectives :
RUSA seeks to transform higher education by enhancing equity, access, quality, and employability. It targets increased Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) among underrepresented groups through inclusive, multilingual education, while promoting multidisciplinary learning via upgraded infrastructure, flexible curricula like CBCS and ABC, and institutional collaborations. The scheme supports NAAC accreditation for non-accredited and low-performing institutions, strengthens ICT infrastructure through digital tools and virtual labs, and fosters industry-academia linkages to deliver market-relevant, skill-based programs.
Achievements :
Eight research and innovation hubs have been established in state universities, providing platforms for undergraduate and postgraduate students to pursue research and industry collaboration. These centres have facilitated fifteen interdisciplinary projects, the filing of twenty-eight patents, and seven successful technology transfers.
RUSA 2.0
Objectives :
The Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) 2.0 aims to empower States to effectively plan, implement, and monitor holistic reforms in higher education by enhancing the quality and capacity of State universities and colleges. It focuses on improving academic infrastructure, ensuring adherence to quality standards through mandatory accreditation, filling critical infrastructure and faculty gaps, and promoting research and innovation. RUSA seeks to improve access and equity, particularly for marginalized groups, and supports expansion to achieve a GER target of 32%. The scheme encourages governance reforms, institutional autonomy, and systematic planning through State Higher Education Councils, while also promoting regional balance and comprehensive academic and examination reforms.
Achievements :
In terms of capacity building, over 150 faculty members have been trained in research proposal writing, while 2,600 researchers and 75 master trainers have received training in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Twenty-five autonomous colleges received funding for research enhancement activities, which benefitted over 10,000 students through various programs to promote excellence. Notably, a ₹100 crore project at Savitribai Phule Pune University is underway to establish six research centres, four capacity-building centres, one incubation center, and upgraded infrastructure, setting a benchmark for other institutions in the state. Various Faculty Development Centres have been established at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Veermata Jeejabai Technological Institute, Sydenham College, Mumbai, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, etc. which provide training to the faculties in various fields of work.
PM-USHA
The objective of the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) scheme is to transform higher education in India by promoting- equity, quality, and accessibility. It focuses on increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), particularly among underrepresented groups such as SCs, STs, OBCs, women, and differently-abled individuals, while promoting multilingual education to enhance inclusivity. The scheme supports the development of holistic and multidisciplinary learning ecosystems by upgrading physical and digital infrastructure, introducing flexible academic frameworks like the Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) and Academic Bank of Credit (ABC), and fostering institutional collaborations for quality teaching. To improve accountability and standards, PM-USHA assists non-accredited and low-performing institutions in achieving and enhancing NAAC accreditation. Additionally, it strengthens ICT-based infrastructure through digital classrooms, MOOCs, and virtual labs, enabling institutions to bridge learning gaps and improve educational outcomes. Emphasizing employability, PM-USHA encourages partnerships between academia and industry, establishment of employment cells, and delivery of market-aligned, skill-based programs.
Under PM-USHA, four state universities in Maharashtra—SNDT Women’s, Gondwana, Solapur, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada—have each received ₹100 crore as Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities ( MERUs) to develop hostels, sports facilities, solar infrastructure, and incubation centres. Additionally, seven other universities were granted ₹20 crore each for skill development and ICT training. Forty-six colleges covering all the 36 districts if Maharashtra received ₹5 crore each to enhance infrastructure and academic activities. Four districts—Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Osmanabad, and Washim—received ₹10 crore each to promote gender inclusion through improved facilities for women.
RUSA and PM-USHA have thus become vital instruments in transforming higher education in Maharashtra by promoting inclusivity, fostering innovation, building capacity, and ensuring academic excellence across the state.
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