India\u27s Higher Educator Sector: Challenges and Opportunities

For both developed and emerging economies, knowledge and innovation will increasingly drive competitive advantage, according to a great deal of analysis conducted by the OECD and other Institutions. Higher Education is a key component of future competitive advantage in the knowledge and innovation spheres. This paper will examine the challenges and opportunities for the Indian Higher Education Sector, as it grapples with meeting the needs of a changing economy, and providing access and opportunity for millions of its population. Drawing on a variety of data sources and benchmarking India against a number of nations around the world, this paper contends that India needs to further significantly reform its Higher Education sector in areas of quality, efficiency, accessibility, internationalisation and in meeting labour force needs. This paper will also recommend further policy initiatives