Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) Scheme: The Government of India has approved the scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) for continuation till 31.03.2026 or till further review, whichever is earlier.
Key Points:
The estimated expenditure of this proposal is Rs 12929.16 crore
Out of which Central Share is Rs 8120.97 crores and the State Share is Rs 4808.19 crores.
The new phase of the scheme seeks to support around 1600 projects.
About Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA):
- RUSA is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) by Ministry of Education (MoE).
- It was launched in 2013.
- It is an overarching scheme, operating in mission mode for funding the state government universities and colleges to achieve the aims of equity, access and excellence.
- New phase of RUSA targets to reach out the unserved, underserved areas; remote/ rural areas; difficult geographies; LWE areas; NER; aspirational districts, tier-2 cities, areas with low GER etc., and to benefit the most disadvantaged areas and SEDGs.
- It has been designed to implement some of the recommendations and aims of the New Education Policy (NEP).
- NEP suggests some key changes to the current higher education system to revamp and re-energize it and thereby deliver quality higher education, with equity and inclusion
Significance:
- Under the new phase of the scheme, State Governments will be supported for Gender inclusion, ICT, Equity Initiatives, Enhancing employability through vocationalisation & skill upgradation.
- States will also be supported for creation of new Model Degree Colleges. State Universities will be supported for Multi-Disciplinary Education and Research.
- Grants will be provided for strengthening both accredited and non-accredited Universities and Colleges for undertaking various activities including teaching-learning in Indian languages.
