PM USHA Scheme 2023 - Objectives, Eligibility, Benefits, Features, Scope, Application Process & Latest Updates

Introduction to PM USHA Scheme

PM USHA Scheme: In June 2023, PM USHA scheme was launched. This scheme is considered as successor of Rastriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan. This Scheme is initated by Ministry of Education to promote higher education and provide easy access of Quality education in India. However, this scheme is also aligned with New Education Policy of India.

This is not everything about PM USHA Scheme 2023, this is why, in this article, we have tried to provide you all the standard information about PM USHA Yojana 2023.

If you are preparing for competitive examinations in India or you just want to be aware of newer government schemes in India, then this article going to be the most important one for you. This Government Scheme is integral part of UPSC preparation.

So, let’s start-

 

 

PM USHA Details

Aspect	Information
Scheme Name	Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/upload_document/pm-usha_guidelines.pdf
Initially Launched as	Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) in 2013
Renamed as PM-USHA	June 2023
Scheme Type	Centrally Sponsored Scheme
Ministry	Ministry of Education  https://www.education.gov.in/major-initiatives
Aim	To enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education in India
Alignment	In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
Funding	90:10 ratio for certain states, 60:40 for others, UTs without Legislature receive 100% funding
Eligibility Criteria	Colleges under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act with at least 10 years of active administration
Accreditation Requirement	Colleges must have grade A of NAAC accreditation or a good NBA score
Focus Areas	Transformation, quality, equity, innovation, research, employability
Key Components	MERU Transformation, Model Degree Colleges, Strengthening Universities
Target Regions	Remote, LWE-affected, Aspirational, and low Gross Enrollment Ratio regions
Gender Inclusion	Scheme aids state governments in promoting gender inclusion and equity
Employability Support	Enhancing employability through ICT-based skills
Total Budget	₹12,926.10 crore (2023-24 to 2025-26)
Institutional Framework	Involves Central, State, and Institutional Level Structures
Central Level Bodies	National Mission Authority (NMA), Project Approval Board (PAB), National Project Directorate (NPD), Technical Support Group (TSG)
State Level Bodies	State Higher Education Council (SHEC), State Project Directorate (SPD), State Technical Support Group (State-TSG)
Institutional Level Bodies	Board of Governors (BOGs), Project Monitoring Unit (PMU)

 

 

What is PM-USHA Scheme?

The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) Scheme, launched in June 2023, is a centrally sponsored initiative under the Ministry of Education to enhance India's higher education quality and accessibility.

It focuses on curriculum improvement, teachers' training, infrastructure, accreditation, and employability. The scheme aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and requires states to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for implementation.

PM-USHA has an allocated fund of ₹12,926.10 crore from 2023-24 to 2025-26. It aims to ensure equity, access, and excellence in higher education across states and union territories.

 

 

Objectives of PM-USHA Scheme

We have listed spme key objectives of PM USHA Scheme below:

1.       Enhance the quality of existing state higher education institutions through alignment with defined standards and adoption of accreditation.

2.       Catalyze transformative changes in state-level higher education with a supportive institutional framework for planning, monitoring, and governance.

3.       Implement the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020 by offering financial backing to state higher education institutions.

4.       Initiate governance, academic, examination, and evaluation reforms in state-level higher education institutions.

5.       Foster connections between higher education institutions, school education, and the job market to promote self-reliance.

6.       Cultivate an environment conducive to research and innovation within higher education institutions.

7.       Address regional disparities in access to higher education, ensuring quality institutions in urban, semi-urban, rural, and underserved areas.

8.       Develop infrastructure for Open, Online, and Digital Learning methods in states and union territories.

9.       Promote equity in higher education by ensuring opportunities for marginalized groups, including women, minorities, SC/ST/OBCs, and differently-abled individuals.

10.   Enhance employability through skill development and vocational training, and establish New Model Degree Colleges in districts lacking government or government-aided institutions.

 

 

Features of PM-USHA Scheme

We have listed some key features of PM USHA Yojana below:

1.       MERU Transformation: Provides Rs 100 crore support to each of 35 state universities for multidisciplinary education and research.

2.       Model Degree Colleges: Provisions for establishing new model degree colleges.

3.       Enhancing Universities: Allocates grants to strengthen universities.

4.       Focus on Remote and Aspirational Areas: Targets remote, Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected regions, aspirational districts, and areas with low Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER).

5.       Support for Gender Inclusion and Equity: Aids state governments in promoting gender inclusion and equity.

6.       ICT-based Employability Skills: Encourages Information and Communication Technology (ICT) adoption for employability skills enhancement.

7.       Funding Mechanism: A total of ₹12,926.10 crore allocated for 2023-24 to 2025-26, with different cost-sharing ratios for states and UTs.

8.       Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): States and UTs are required to sign an MoU to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

9.       Public-Private Partnership (PPP): Encourages public-private partnership projects with viability gap funding to enhance private investment.

10.   Multidisciplinary Education: Emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary education encompassing STEM, commerce, and humanities disciplines.

 

 

Scope of PM-USHA Scheme

The PM-USHA Scheme has a wide scope, aiming to revolutionize higher education in India. It focuses on enhancing the quality of state higher education institutions, ensuring their alignment with defined standards, and adopting accreditation as a quality assurance framework.

The scheme also aims to initiate transformative changes in state-level higher education by establishing a supportive institutional framework for planning, monitoring, and governance.

It also seeks to implement the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, promote research and innovation, address regional disparities in access to higher education, and enhance employability through skill development and vocational training.

 

 

Benefits of PM-USHA Scheme

We have listed some of important benefits of this scheme below:

1.       Improved quality of state higher education institutions.

2.       Alignment with defined standards and adoption of accreditation for quality assurance.

3.       Transformative changes in state-level higher education.

4.       Supportive institutional framework for planning, monitoring, and governance.

5.       Implementation of the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020.

6.       Fostering of research and innovation within higher education institutions.

7.       Addressing regional disparities in access to higher education.

8.       Development of infrastructure for Open, Online, and Digital Learning methods.

9.       Promotion of equity in higher education for marginalized groups.

10.   Enhanced employability through skill development and vocational training.

 

 

How to apply for PM-USHA Scheme

To apply for the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) Scheme online, you can follow these steps:

1.       Navigate to the official homepage of Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan or the National Scholarship Portal.

2.       Click on the PM-USHA Scheme link given on the screen.

3.       A registration form will open on the screen.

4.       Fill in all the required details in the registration form, which are mandatory.

5.       Upload all your education qualification certificates and check that all the details are correct.

6.       After that, click on the submit button given below.

7.       Your application form has now been submitted.

 

 

Challenges to PM PM-USHA Scheme

The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) Scheme has faced several challenges. We have listed some of them below:

1.       Funding Concerns

Some states have raised concerns about the 60:40 funding split between the Centre and states, with states being responsible for 40% of the PM-USHA budget. 

The lack of extra funds earmarked for the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) reforms has also been a point of contention.

 

2.       MoU Signing

14 states and union territories are yet to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Education Ministry, which is crucial for the implementation of the NEP and to avail the funds under the scheme.

 

3.       Opposition from Some States

Opposition-ruled states have expressed dissatisfaction with the MoU, as they believe it does not address their need for additional funding to implement NEP reforms.

 

4.       Implementation Challenges

The scheme requires states to undertake administrative, academic, accreditation, and governance reforms as detailed in the NEP. Some states may find these reforms challenging to implement.

 

5.       Coordination and Communication

The success of the scheme depends on effective coordination and communication between the Centre and the states. Ensuring all states understand and are willing to implement the scheme's objectives and requirements is critical.

 

Latest Updates about PM-USHA Scheme

The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) Scheme has encountered challenges in its implementation, with 14 states and union territories yet to sign the crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Education Ministry.

This MoU mandates the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) to avail funds worth almost ₹13,000 crore for the next three years.

Some Opposition-ruled states have raised concerns about the MoU, given the 60:40 funding split between the Centre and states and the lack of extra funds earmarked for NEP reforms.

Officials from these states have voiced dissatisfaction, as 40% of the PM-USHA budget must be borne by the states themselves.

Discussions are ongoing to iron out differences and communicate the importance of NEP and PM-USHA. Despite these challenges, the scheme aims to improve the quality of higher education in state universities through curricular and program changes, teacher training, physical and digital infrastructure, accreditation, and enhancing employability.

PM-USHA carries forward the vision of the earlier Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and aims to improve access, equity, and quality of higher education in states.

 

 

FAQs related to PM USHA Scheme

Question: What is the PM-USHA Scheme?

Answer. The PM-USHA Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Education aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of higher education across India. It focuses on improving the curriculum, teachers’ training, infrastructure, accreditation, and employability.

Question: What relevance does the PM-USHA Scheme have for UPSC aspirants?

Answer. The PM-USHA Scheme is significant for UPSC aspirants preparing for the Indian Civil Services Examination, particularly for the General Studies Paper - 2, which covers Government Policies & Interventions.

Question: What are the details of the PM Life Insurance Scheme?

Answer. The PM Life Insurance Scheme, commonly known as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), offers a life insurance cover of ₹2 lakhs at an annual premium of ₹330 for people aged 18 to 50.

Question: What are some major schemes introduced by PM Modi?

Answer. Some major schemes of PM Modi include Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.

Question: Where can I find the latest news on the PM-USHA Scheme?

Answer. The latest news on the PM-USHA Scheme can be found on news websites, government portals, and other media outlets covering developments in the education sector.

Question: What is the USHA Scheme?

Answer. The USHA Scheme refers to the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, which aims to improve the quality and accessibility of higher education in India through various initiatives.

Question: What is the USHA Program?

Answer. The USHA Program is the same as the PM-USHA Scheme, which focuses on enhancing higher education quality and accessibility in India through strategic funding, reforms, and innovations.

Question: When was the PM-USHA Scheme launched?

Answer. The PM-USHA Scheme was launched in June 2023.

Question: What is the PM-USHA Scheme called in Hindi?

Answer. The PM-USHA Scheme is referred to as "प्रधानमंत्री उच्चतर शिक्षा अभियान" in Hindi.

Question: What is the PM Samman Nidhi Scheme?

Answer. The PM Samman Nidhi Scheme, also known as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), provides financial support to small and marginal farmers.

Question: Under which ministry does the PM-USHA Scheme operate?

Answer. The PM-USHA Scheme operates under the Ministry of Education.

Question: What are the objectives of the PM-USHA Scheme?

Answer. The objectives of the PM-USHA Scheme include improving the quality of higher education institutions, implementing NEP recommendations, enhancing governance and academic reforms, and promoting research and innovation.

Question: What are the benefits of the USHA Scheme?

Answer. The benefits of the USHA Scheme include enhanced quality of higher education, improved governance and academic standards, increased employability, and support for equity and inclusion.

Question: What is the full form of PM-USHA?

Answer. The full form of PM-USHA is Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan.

Question: What are some prominent PM Schemes in India?

Answer. Some prominent PM Schemes in India include Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.