UGC Funding and Utilization (2021-22 to 2025-26)
The Ministry of Education released a total of ₹90,051.94 crore to the University Grants Commission over the five-year period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The year-wise breakdown shows consistent growth in funding: ₹13,839.43 crore in 2021-22, ₹16,859.87 crore in 2022-23, ₹19,054.74 crore in 2023-24, ₹19,770.47 crore in 2024-25, and ₹20,527.43 crore in 2025-26. Utilization rates remained exceptionally high throughout this period, with expenditures of ₹13,606.52 crore (98.3% utilization), ₹16,080.55 crore (95.4%), ₹18,676.31 crore (98.0%), ₹19,742.07 crore (99.9%), and ₹20,507.48 crore (99.9%) respectively.
Fund Distribution to Educational Institutions
Of the total funds released to UGC during this five-year period, ₹73,148.65 crore was allocated to Central Universities while ₹2,743.04 crore was distributed to Institutions Deemed to be Universities. Additionally, UGC released ₹931.44 crore to State Universities (including private universities) on a reimbursement basis for settlement of earlier sanctioned schemes. Punjab University, designated as an Inter-State Body Corporate, received ₹1,818.46 crore as fixed salary grant during the same period.
PM-USHA/RUSA Scheme Implementation
The government transitioned from the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) to Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) in June 2023, which will run through 2025-26. This centrally sponsored scheme provides support to States/UTs for strengthening higher education infrastructure, including construction of hostels, academic and administrative buildings, laboratories, and other facilities to improve access and quality. The central share released to States/UTs under PM-USHA/RUSA shows: ₹249.13 crore in 2021-22, ₹359.50 crore in 2022-23, ₹181.06 crore in 2023-24, ₹350.83 crore in 2024-25, ₹864.25 crore in 2025-26, and ₹507.00 crore as of August 6, 2026 for the 2026-27 financial year.
Regulatory Framework and Legislative Development
The UGC Minimum Qualifications Regulations of 2018 continue to govern appointment standards for teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges. In alignment with the National Education Policy's vision for a 'light but tight' regulatory framework, the Ministry introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025. The bill aims to ensure integrity, transparency, and resource efficiency through audit and public disclosure while encouraging innovation through autonomy and good governance. The bill has been referred to a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament for review.