Authors : Yash Rajesh Vyas and Garima Kaneria
Page Nos : 133-142
Description :
Rural India is considered the economic backbone of the nation due to its cultural diversity, significant contributions to the economy, vibrant traditional lifestyle, and diverse ecosystem. Higher education in rural India also plays a critical role in human capital formation, fostering social inclusion, and promoting women's empowerment. Unfortunately, it faces persistent challenges concerning quality, infrastructure, digital access, recognition, and global academic exposure. This paper examines the status of rural higher education in the country through a SWOT analysis supported by selected case studies. The study employs a descriptive, qualitative, and analytical research design primarily based on data collected from secondary sources, such as government reports and an extensive literature review. A case study approach helps in identifying common patterns, practices, and structural barriers to higher education in rural India. Additionally, SWOT analysis systematically examines the strengths, weaknesses, and other factors influencing higher education. The findings reveal that rural India is the core of the economy and possesses significant opportunities for expanding and fostering educational access to rural learners, promoting women's empowerment, and community engagement. Furthermore, the research identifies the emerging opportunities reflected in NEP 2020, which may provide a solution to the problems of higher education in rural India.
