Higher Education System in India is the third largest in the world, following that of United States and China. The government body, which reinforces laws and certifies the institutes, is the United Grants Commission. United Grants Commission abbreviating as UGC, also advices the government and coordinates the centre and the state. After the regular school education, the higher education opportunities have diverged into various specialized fields.
Major Institutes in India
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT's) and Indian Institute of Sciences (IIS) provide the highest level of technical education. Every year million of students across the country appear for the Indian Institute of Technology- Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) to fulfill their dream to get into an IIT. However, only eight thousand make it to the institute. Every year, about five thousand engineering graduates go out to serve the public and the private sectors. It also offers bachelors and masters in architecture, engineering and doctorate courses in a wide array of subjects.
Every state in the country has a National Institute of Technology (NIT). It offers courses in engineering, both bachelors and masters; post graduation in physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, biochemistry, mathematics, biostatistics, etc.
Like IIT's IIMs are India's top institutes in the field of management. Indian Institute of Management, a group of thirteen autonomous institutes does not just provide management education but also has opportunities for management research. In addition to that, there are international universities with international faculty and top class teaching equipments to instill a better understanding of the concepts.
Other universities, including Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Delhi University (DU) offer excellent education in Arts. The English honors program especially attracts students from all over the country. Mass communications and Journalism are other popular courses under these universities. There are quite a few institutes offering knowledge in the fields of performing arts as well.
Various Modes of Learning and the gradual evolution
From the gurukuls to the modern day classrooms, the transformation has been huge. The education system has become very specialized. The syllabus has evolved to suit the need of time. Institutes provide practical knowledge mostly through industrial visits, audiovisual modules, etc. The use of technology has changed the basic approach towards learning. Another revolutionary change that has come in the education sector is the distance learning courses. Emerged to teach the physically disabled, this trend has gained popularity over the last few years, especially amongst the working class due to its flexible timings and reduced fee structure.
The concept of higher education in India these days does not restrict itself. People have now become liberal and allow their children to pursue their dreams. The generation gap that was suddenly building up is now diminishing. The prospects of film studies, art, animation that were once nonexistent in the nation, are developing. Despite offering word class education, Indian universities do not attract as many international students as Harvard University, Oxford University and other internationally acclaimed universities do. The only hope is that it is still growing and is not at its peak as of now. Once it does, things will take a turn for the better.