Uttar Pradesh Emerges As Higher Education And Skill Development Hub Under Yogi Government

Lucknow, November 11: Education is the foundation of a society's and state's future. Guided by this vision, the Uttar Pradesh government, under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath, has undertaken extensive reforms to expand the education system, improve quality, promote technology and link education with employment.

From expanding higher education institutions to introducing AI-based learning, digital education, research and skill development, the government has taken a multi-dimensional approach. As a result, Uttar Pradesh is rapidly emerging as a major centre for higher education and skill development.

Until 2017, UP had only 16 government universities. Between 2017 and 2022, three new government universities were established, followed by five more after 2022. With the addition of one deemed university and one open university, the total number of government universities has reached 26.

During the same period, the number of private universities increased from 26 to 56. As many as 27 private universities were established after 2022 alone.

For the first time, two off-campus university centres of GLA University and IIMT University have been established in Noida. To encourage private universities in underserved districts, the Higher Education Promotion Policy-2024 was introduced.

The number of government colleges has increased from 158 to 261, while the number of self-financed colleges has risen from 6,681 to 8,030.

Efforts to improve the quality of higher education have yielded encouraging results. For the first time, seven institutions from Uttar Pradesh secured positions in the NIRF rankings, while three universities entered the list of the country's top 100 universities.

Under the PM-USHA (Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) scheme, the state received a grant of ₹965 crore from the Central Government for developing infrastructure, research facilities, laboratories and smart classrooms. This is the highest allocation received by any state in the country under the scheme.

A total of 776 agreements have also been signed with national and international academic institutions to promote educational collaboration.

Additionally, the establishment of a campus of Australia's Western Sydney University in Greater Noida has been proposed, reflecting the state's growing focus on international academic partnerships.

Under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, several reforms have been implemented, including the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), multiple entry and exit options, multidisciplinary education and integration of the Indian Knowledge System.

The state now offers more than 88,532 e-content resources across 239 subjects.

Government colleges have introduced 251 smart classrooms, more than 83 smart laboratories and 171 e-learning parks to strengthen technology-enabled education.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based education is also being encouraged. Chandigarh University, for instance, has introduced AI-based learning across all its 43 courses.

To preserve and promote India's traditional knowledge systems, research chairs have been established, while an online Sanskrit training centre has been launched at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University.

Through the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission, more than 1.7 million young people have received training since 2017-18, while over 700,000 have secured employment.

The mission has organised 1,194 mega employment fairs, facilitating placements for 452,976 candidates.

Uttar Pradesh secured the first position in the country in the IndiaSkills Competition-2025, with 109,249 registrations. The state has maintained its leading position for 2026-27 as well, recording 107,464 registrations.

Keeping pace with emerging technologies and future industry requirements, 82 New Age Training Partners have been associated with the mission.

Agreements have also been signed with reputed institutions such as IIT Roorkee, MNNIT Prayagraj, IIIT Prayagraj and NIESBUD to provide specialised skill training.

Digital platforms such as Kaushal Darpan, Kaushal Disha, Kaushal Drishti and Kaushal Dost have modernised the training, monitoring and management systems.

Furthermore, employment initiatives specifically organised for persons with disabilities have helped 3,441 to secure job.

To increase women's participation in higher education, the government has decided to provide scooters to the top five per cent of female students. The initiative aims to benefit approximately 40,000 students.

In addition, more than 128,000 individuals, including teachers and their dependents, are receiving cashless medical facilities.

The Yogi government has sought to transform education from a system focused merely on academic degrees into one that promotes practical skills, technology, research and employment opportunities.

From expanding universities and colleges to providing skill training and facilitating employment, these initiatives are helping Uttar Pradesh move towards a knowledge-driven, innovation-orientated and employment-based economy.

With sustained efforts in higher education, digital learning and skill development, Uttar Pradesh is steadily strengthening its position as an emerging educational and skill development hub in the country.