New Delhi, Aug 13 (INB) Funds released by the Ministry of Education to the University Grants Commission (UGC) rose from Rs 13,839.43 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 20,527.43 crore in 2025-26, with the government emphasising institutional autonomy alongside accountability in higher education, the Centre has informed Rajya Sabha. According to a written reply by Minister of State for Education Dr Sukanta Majumdar in the Rajya Sabha, UGC utilised Rs 20,507.48 crore of the Rs 20,527.43 crore released to it in 2025-26. The data showed that the ministry released Rs 16,859.87 crore to UGC in 2022-23, Rs 19,054.74 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 19,770.47 crore in 2024-25. Expenditure during these years stood at Rs 16,080.55 crore, Rs 18,676.31 crore and Rs 19,742.07 crore, respectively. During 2021-22 to 2025-26, UGC released Rs 73,148.65 crore to Central Universities and Rs 2,743.04 crore to institutions deemed to be universities, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday. The government also highlighted funding under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), the third phase of the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), launched in June 2023 for 2023-24 to 2025-26. Under PM-USHA/RUSA, the Central share released to states and Union Territories increased from Rs 249.13 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 864.25 crore in 2025-26. A further Rs 507 crore had been released in 2026-27 as of August 6, 2026, the reply said. The funds are intended to strengthen state higher educational institutions, including infrastructure such as hostels, academic and administrative buildings and laboratories. The government said that following the implementation of RUSA, UGC does not provide development grants to state universities as such. During 2021-22 to 2025-26, UGC released Rs 931.44 crore to state universities, including private universities, under previously sanctioned schemes on a reimbursement basis. An additional Rs 1,818.46 crore was released to Punjab University as fixed salary grant during the period. On institutional autonomy, the government cited the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which envisages a “light but tight” regulatory framework aimed at maintaining integrity, transparency and resource efficiency while encouraging innovation, autonomy, good governance and empowerment. The reply also noted that the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan Bill, 2025, introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025, has been referred to a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament.
