Modi Government's 9 Major Achievements in 9 Years

The union government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has completed nine years in power. One of the successes of the government is that it has started identifying and empowering the right people in the system. The education sector is one of the vital sectors witnessing transformation under this regime and 20 years from now, the educational landscape of India will be very different, a lot more flourished. Here are the nine major achievements of the government in the last nine years.

1. Increasing the number of top institutions: - The number of national institutions like IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS has increased. Record 71 Indian universities have made it to ‘The World University Rankings’, which is up from 63 last year. Three Indian universities have achieved top-200 positions in the ‘QS World University Rankings.’ The establishment of the National Sports University in Manipur in 2018 is also a welcome step. 
2. Research Renaissance: - India's research scenario has improved with enhanced infrastructure in universities, addressing previous limitations in resources. International research collaborations have increased, and academicians and scholars now have sabbatical opportunities to pursue research abroad. The study materials have expanded to include case studies from not only Harvard but also from Indian organizations.
3. Importance to Liberal Arts- In the last 9 years, the study, and the research in the field of liberal arts have gained importance. We can see a rise in career opportunities in the domain.
4. Medical Education: It is noteworthy that medical professionals, who primarily come from a chemistry background, are receiving accolades in the field of medicine, owing to the interdisciplinary education they receive. Along with this, the government is also promoting education in traditional medical practices like Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, etc. 
5. NEP 2020: The NEP 2020 stands as a significant achievement of the government, aiming to revolutionize the education system and foster comprehensive transformation. Successful implementation of this policy can be a game-changer. The flexibility, interdisciplinary approach, and establishing interconnectedness of disciplines, say pure science and engineering exemplify one of the government's major successes.
6. Skill Development: This government has emphasized skill development and vocational training. Initiatives like Skill India and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana are enhancing employability and making the youth job ready.
    
7. Digital Education: Under the Digital India Mission of the government, various initiatives promote the use of technology in the field of education, ranging from digital libraries to initiatives like SWAYAM, SWAYAM PRABHA, and MOOCs
    
8. Establishing Campuses of Foreign in India: Backed by the government in the Union Budget 2022-23, the UGC has released the draft to encourage the establishment of campuses by foreign universities in India. Deakin University has become the first foreign university to set up an International Branch Campus in India, at GIFT City.
9. National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF): Implemented in 2016, NIRF rankings encourage institutes to improve themselves on parameters like teaching, research, perception, and employability. 

In conclusion, the nine years of the union government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have witnessed significant advancements in the education sector. With these milestones, the future of education in India holds great promise for a flourishing and dynamic educational landscape

Dr. Sanjay Kamtekar

Guest Author Chief Academic Officer, MIT-WPU