Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), launched in 2013 aims at providing strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions. The funding to states would be made on the basis of critical appraisal of state higher education plans, which would describe each state’s strategy to address issues of equity, access and excellence in higher education.
Features of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan
- The central funding (in the ratio of 60:40 for general category states, 90:10 for special category states and 100% for union territories) would be norm based and outcome dependent.
- The funding would flow from the central ministry through the state governments/ UTs to the State Higher Education Councils before reaching the identified institutions.
Components of RUSA
. Upgradation of existing autonomous colleges to universities
. Conversion of colleges to cluster universities
. Infrastructure grants to universities
. New model colleges (General)
. Upgradation of existing degree colleges to model colleges
. New colleges (Professional)
. Infrastructure grants to colleges
. Research, innovation and quality improvement
. Equity initiatives
. Faculty recruitment Support
. Faculty improvements
. Vocationalisation of higher education
. Leadership development of educational administrators
. Institutional restructuring & reforms
. Capacity building & preparation, data collection & planning
- RUSA is implemented and monitored through an institutional structure comprising the National Mission Authority (Union Education Minister as Chairman), Project Approval Board and the National Project Directorate and Technical Support Group at the centre and the State Higher Education Council and State Project Directorate and Technical Support Group at the state level.
