In order to ensure that the state “does not miss out on the benefits of the scheme,” Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan wrote to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asking the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) program.
The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) would run until March 2026 with a total budget of Rs 12,926.10 crore, according to Pradhan’s letter to Patnaik. However, in order for the program to be implemented, the states must sign an MoU with the Ministry of Education.
“The PM-USHA Scheme is an important step of the central government towards implementing the vision of National Education Policy, 2020, to attain higher levels of access, equity, and excellence in the states/UTs higher education system by prioritising the unserved and underserved areas, to be identified by states/UTs as focus districts in the basis odf low GER, population of SC/ST, Left-wing affected areas etc,” the letter, which was sent on Wednesday, stated.
In addition, the plan seeks to modernize and establish new institutions, according to Patnaik.
“The commitment on planning and drafting the proposals by your state by aligning it with reforms such as multiple entry-exit, academic bank of credits, National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF), Indian knowledge systems, etc, will lead to better integration between the policies and schemes of the government for improving higher education in the country,” he stated.
According to Pradhan, the procedure for submitting bids to be considered for grant-in-aid under the plan has already begun through a specific webpage.
In order to ensure that the state reaps the benefits of the initiative, Pradhan asked the Chief Minister of Odisha to personally investigate the problem.
