Lok Sabha Question No. 3888 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-24
Subject: Education Hub within Central Universities
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Dharambir Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3888 ANSWERED ON 24.03.2025

## Education Hub within Central Universities

## 3888. Shri Dharambir Singh:

Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  develop  an  education  hub  within  Central Universities to enhance academic excellence and interdisciplinary research;

(b) if so, the details thereof including proposed infrastructure, funding allocation and timeline for implementation;

(c) whether the education hub will include specialized research centres, incubation facilities and industry  collaborations  to  promote  innovation  and  skill  development,  if  so,  the  details thereof;

(d) the details of the steps likely to be taken by the Government to ensure equitable access for students from rural and economically weaker sections;

(e) whether the Government has identified specific Central Universities for this initiative and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) whether the Government plans to develop an education hub at the Central University of Haryana, Pali Mahendergarh, to reduce the burden on Delhi University and JNU Delhi and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a)  to  (f):    National  Education  Policy  2020  (NEP  2020)  envisages  to  restructure  Higher Education  by  ending  fragmentation  and  developing  large  multidisciplinary  universities, colleges, and Higher Education Institutions (HEI) clusters/Knowledge Hubs with a minimum of  3,000  students.  This  will  foster  vibrant  academic  communities,  break  disciplinary  silos, promote holistic education across various fields, encourage cross-disciplinary research, and enhance resource efficiency in higher education. Central Universities (CUs) under the purview of Ministry of Education are statutory autonomous organizations established under respective Central Acts of Parliament and governed by provisions of the Acts and Statutes/Ordinances/Regulations made thereunder. These Central Universities are empowered to  take  steps  towards  academic  excellence,  interdisciplinary  research,  and  can  plan  for infrastructure  development for such purposes through  Higher  Education  Financing  Agency

(HEFA).  NEP  2020  has  taken  into  account  the  concerns  of  the  Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs)  which  includes female and transgender individuals, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, minorities and other categories. This policy aims at  bridging  the  social  category  gaps  in  accessing,  participation,  and  learning  outcomes. Government has taken various measures in this direction which include opening of more HEIs; introduction and implementation of various Scholarship and Fellowship schemes for providing financial assistance to students; HEIs offering full Open Distance Learning/Online Programmes;  anytime,  anywhere  learning  opportunities  through  SWAYAM  platform  etc. ensuring equitable  access  for  students  from  rural  and  economically  weaker  sections. Developing Central Universities, including Central University of Haryana, as education hub to foster innovation and skill among students, is the main thrust of NEP 2020.

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