Beyond economic might, the true strength of a developed India will rest on its intellectual, social, ethical, and innovation-driven ecosystem. To achieve this, a comprehensive roadmap for higher education must be envisioned — one that builds an inclusive, future-ready, and globally competitive learning environment

By 2047, when India celebrates a century of independence, higher education will emerge as one of the most powerful forces shaping the nation’s transformation into a global knowledge superpower. The future of a developed India depends not only on its economic power but also on the intellectual, social, ethical and innovation ecosystem it must nurture. In this context, a comprehensive roadmap for higher education has to be envisioned. The roadmap should seek to build an inclusive, future-ready, and globally competent learning ecosystem that ignites innovation, research, employability, and cultural leadership. The goal should be to position India among the top three higher education systems globally, where higher education institutions (HEIs) act as engines of socio-economic growth, social equity, and global competitiveness.

The rationale behind this ambitious transformation rests on four key foundations. Firstly, India’s demographic dividend presents both an opportunity and a challenge. A young and aspirational demography requires world-class, accessible higher education to unlock its true potential. Secondly, as India transitions into a knowledge economy and aims for a $40 trillion GDP by 2047, cutting-edge research, innovation, and highly skilled talent have become indispensable. Thirdly, to strengthen its global competitiveness, India must take a quantum leap to enhance its standing in research, technology, and education in order to lead in the 21st century. Finally, higher education must reflect India’s civilisational traits, where ancient knowledge systems are harmoniously blended with modern scientific and technological advancements to add unique value to contemporary civilisational discourse.

Achieving this vision requires a grand strategy. Access, equity, affordability, and inclusion must become integral components of this strategy to enable every........

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