SBI Proposes Changes to Education System; Emphasizes Free and Fair Education for Every Student

SBI Research has proposed changes to the National Testing Agency's (NTA) current operational structure. Currently, the NTA functions as a society; the report recommends transforming it into a statutory body established through an Act of Parliament.

SBI Research has offered several key suggestions for reforming India's higher education system. In its latest report, the organization advocates considering an amendment to Article 21 of the Constitution to guarantee students the right to free and fair educational opportunities. According to the report, the objective should be to protect students from fraud, discrimination, and unfair barriers within the education sector. The report goes beyond the mere right to education, highlighting the need to restructure the NTA, enhance examination transparency, and reform State Public Service Commission examinations.

SBI Research has proposed changes to the NTA's current operational structure. Currently, the NTA functions as a society; the report recommends transforming it into a statutory body established through an Act of Parliament. The report notes that by July 2024, the NTA had conducted over 240 examinations involving more than 54 million (5.4 crore) candidates. SBI Research believes there is a need to clearly define the agency's legal responsibilities, develop permanent expertise, and strengthen independent review mechanisms.

Suggestions Across Various Levels of Education

The report suggests reforms at multiple levels of the examination system, emphasizing the need for enhanced paper security, independent reviews, appeal mechanisms for candidates, and greater public accountability. SBI Research also suggests drawing lessons from China's Gaokao examination. According to the report, India could adopt specific practices from the Gaokao model regarding large-scale exam administration, logistics, and operational management.

Recommendation to Increase Government Spending on Higher Education

The report also expresses concern regarding government expenditure on higher education. According to SBI Research, the share of higher education in total government spending has dropped to approximately 1 percent, down from 1.6 percent in the 2017-18 fiscal year. The report suggests raising this figure to 1.5 percent and filling vacant teaching positions in centrally funded institutions; approximately 34 percent of sanctioned teaching posts in these institutions are reported to be vacant.

Need to Expand Vocational Training Among Youth

The report also presents data regarding vocational training. According to SBI Research, 30.7 percent of Indians aged 15 to 29 had received vocational training by 2025. Although this figure is significantly higher than the 7.1 percent recorded in 2018, the report emphasizes the need for further expansion in this area.

Rapid Expansion of the Higher Education Sector

According to SBI Research, the country's higher education sector has expanded over the last decade. By the 2023-24 fiscal year, the number of universities, colleges, and standalone institutions had risen to 64,756. Meanwhile, student enrollment in higher education surpassed 45 million (4.5 crore), with women accounting for nearly half of the total. The report notes that the number of teachers also increased to 1.73 million (17.32 lakh) during this period.