The Ministry of Education in India has announced several educational grants for Chandigarh.
Chandigarh, India, January 4, 2025 — According to a communication from the Ministry of Education, Government of India, the Union Territory of Chandigarh has been awarded a grant of ₹20 crore under the PM-USHA (Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) initiative. This program is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme that builds upon the ongoing RUSA (Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan).
The approved grant encompasses two key components: the Grant to Strengthen Colleges and the Gender Inclusion and Equity Initiative. The Project Approval Board (PAB) convened on November 19, 2024, under the chairmanship of the Secretary of Education from the Ministry of Education, Government of India. During this meeting, Ms. Prerna Puri, Secretary of Education for Union Territory Chandigarh, presented on behalf of the Chandigarh Administration. She articulated her satisfaction regarding this accomplishment and congratulated the beneficiary institutions that received funding under the PM-USHA program.
During the second PAB meeting, held on February 2, 2024, an allocation of ₹5 crore was approved for GGDSD College, located in Sector 32, Chandigarh. Furthermore, the Postgraduate Government College for Girls in Sector 42 and Sri Guru Gobind Singh College in Sector 26 have each received approval for an allocation of ₹5 crore.
The State Component, the Gender Inclusion and Equity Initiative, has been formally sanctioned with a budget allocation of 10 Crore. This initiative encompasses the renovation of two girls’ hostels at the Government Home Science College located in Sector 10. In accordance with the guidelines established by the Ministry, funding for the Gender Inclusion and Equity Initiative will exclusively support the construction or renovation of girls’ hostels that also provide accommodation for students from other educational institutions.
Mr. Rubinderjit Singh Brar, State Project Director and Director of Higher Education, has reported that 14 colleges in Chandigarh have received grants of ₹2 crore each through the Infrastructure Grant for Colleges initiative. Furthermore, Panjab University, located in Chandigarh, has been allocated an approved grant of ₹62 crore to support Equity Initiatives, Faculty Improvement, and Research Innovation and Quality Improvements.
Mr. Brar stated that these institutions have effectively utilized their grants, significantly improving their infrastructure. Furthermore, he indicated that the quality of higher education institutions is consistently monitored and assessed by the State Higher Education Council and the State Level Quality Assurance Cell. At present, 13 institutions, including Panjab University, hold a valid NAAC grade, and 5 of these institutions have achieved rankings in the NIRF-2024.
Source: Chandigarh Administration
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