Lok Sabha Question No. 1473 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Implementation of PM-USHA in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Selvam G, Shri C N Annadurai

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

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1473 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## Implementation of PM-USHA in Tamil Nadu

1473. Shri C N Annadurai: Shri Selvam G:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has reviewed the implementation and outcomes of Pradhan Mantri  Uchchatar  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (PM-USHA)  in  Tamil  Nadu,  particularly  in  improving higher  education  infrastructure  and  quality  in  Government  and  aided  colleges,  if  so,  the details thereof;

(b) the number of institutions in the State that have been approved for support under PM USHA along with the details of the funds sanctioned, released and utilised during the last three years;

(c) whether shortages in faculty, research labs, digital learning facilities and student support services continue to persist despite PM-USHA interventions, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether any evaluation has been conducted by the Government on improvements in enrolment,  retention  and  employability  outcomes  for  students  in  PM-USHA  supported colleges in the State, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure that PM-USHA funding translates into  enhanced  academic  quality  and  equitable  access  to  high  quality  higher  education across the districts in Tamil Nadu?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Education being in the Concurrent List, enhancing the quality of education is the responsibility  of  both  the  Central  and  State  Governments. The  Central  Government  has implemented various schemes for supporting State Governments. As per the AISHE Report 2022-23, the State of Tamil Nadu has a total of 65 Universities and 2913 Colleges with an enrolment of 34,04,989 students in HEIs.

The Government of India is implementing Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), which  is  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme,  aimed  at  funding  specific  State  government Universities  and  Colleges,  so  as  to  improve  their  quality  by  ensuring  their  conformity  to prescribed norms and standards. The government has launched the third phase of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) in June 2023 in the form of Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), with an outlay of Rs. 12926.10 crore, including the committed liabilities of the earlier phase of RUSA, for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26, to cater to the needs of educationally unserved/ underserved areas.

In the State of Tamil Nadu, under RUSA, a total of 100 projects with an amount of Rs.873.95 crore  have  been  approved  under  various  components  for  strengthening  infrastructure, including the construction and renovation of academic and administrative buildings, hostels, research facilities, digital laboratories, and other enabling facilities required for improving access and quality in higher education. Out of total approved projects, 90 projects have already been completed. During the last three financial years and the current financial year i.e. 2022-23 to 2025-26, a central share of Rs. 60.91 Crore has been released to the State, so far

Under the scheme, for continuation of PM-USHA in its next phase, a third-party evaluation was conducted by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in August 2025, which recommended continuation of the scheme. The scheme has been further extended till 31st March, 2028 for completion of PM-USHA projects and for additional 6 months (i.e. 30th September, 2026) for completion of RUSA projects.

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