Essay: Examining the RUSA scheme (higher education in India)

INTRODUCTION:

India is considered as youngest Nation because; more than 50% of its population is below the age of 25 years. We want our youth to be educated to develop the nation. Education is the key for the success of any nation. Education is important in eradicating poverty and hunger. It is required for equitable and sustainable economic growth. India’s higher Education system in the world’s third largest in terms of students next to China and United States. In India the problem of primary and secondary education was well addressed by sarva shiksha abhiyan and Rashtriya madhyamika shiksha abhiyan.

But however higher Education system suffers from many shortcomings like Low Gross Enrolment ratio, Poor infrastructure etc. the overall scenario of higher Education in India does not match with global quality standards. So there is every need to accelerate the growth and development of higher Educational institutions in our country. In India central funded institutions receive generous funding from center but, they have limited coverage in terms of enrollment. On the other hand majority (94%) of students enrolled in government funded or government controlled private institutions, which come under state higher education system. states often complain about being unaware of the development funds that come to the state institutions from the Centre; this makes planning and funding very difficult for the states.

To address this problem there is a strong need for a strategic intervention for the improvement of access, equity and excellence in Indian higher education, that focuses on state universities and state institutions though a special centrally sponsored scheme in a mission mode. The central government of India introduced new centrally sponsored scheme to meet the financial requirement of state Higher education institutions and the scheme is known as Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA).

BACKGROUND:

UGC mandate allows it to fund only a limited number of institutions that are UGC Section 12(B) and 2(f) compliant. Out of the 286 State universities (now 384 state universities), only 182 State universities are eligible for central assistance, which leaves a significant number of colleges and universities 5 not eligible for UGC grants. Secondly, UGC is also not allowed to channelize funds through the State Government or any other entity other than Institutions. Thus, States often complained about being unaware of the development funds that come to the State Funded Institutions from Centre, making planning and funding very difficult for States.

he XII Plan (2012-17) argued for a holistic approach to higher education with renewed focus on improving the Quality of State institutions, together with addressing the issue of Access & Equity. A strategic shift was needed in several critical areas ranging from issues of access and equity to teaching-learning process, research, governance, funding and monitoring; which could connect funding streams to specific outcomes & desired impact. Planning Commission recommended strategic utilization of central funds to ensure comprehensive and optimum planning at the State level.

Hence, there was a need to establish a new institutional mechanism, which would make every stakeholder a partner in the process of higher education transformation. The Central Advisory Board on Education (CABE), which is the highest advisory body of the Government of India in education on policy matters, constituted a Committee headed by the then Minister of State of HRD, which examined the issue of reforms in State higher education system. The CABE Committee in its report dated 19.10.2012 recommended a new scheme called the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, which would subsume all existing schemes in the State Higher Education sector and bring reforms, especially with respect to academic, affiliation, autonomy and accountability in the universities to address such issues in a comprehensive and integrated fashion. The CABE in its meeting dated 08.11.2012 accepted the recommendations and gave in-principle approval to the RUSA.

The Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) in its meeting held on 11.09.2013 cleared the Ministry’s proposal and the Cabinet approved RUSA in it meeting on 3rdOctober, 2013.Subsequent to the implementation of the 1st phase of RUSA, the Cabinet approved the continuation of RUSA 2.0 on 21stMarch, 2018.

The second phase of RUSA aims to focus on quality and also address concerns of access and equity in underserved, unserved and aspirational districts.
The Funding to states would be made on basis of critical appraisal of State Higher Education Plans, which would describe each state’s strategy to address issues of equity, access and excellence in higher education.

• Access: Greater access requires an enhancement of the education institutional capacity of the higher education sector to provide opportunities to all those who deserve and desire higher education.
• Equity: Equity involves fair access of the poor and the socially disadvantaged groups to higher education.
• Quality and Excellence: Involve provision of education in accordance with accepted standards so that students receive available knowledge of the highest standard that helps them to enhance their human resource capabilities.

OBJECTIVES OF RUSA:

The major objective of RUSA is to enable and empower the States to develop sufficient capabilities to plan, implement and monitor initiatives for the higher education sector as a whole. The scheme aims to improve the quality of State Universities and colleges and enhance their existing capacities so that they become dynamic, demand-driven, quality conscious, efficient and forward looking and responsive to rapid economic and technological developments occurring at the local, State, national and international levels. The salient objectives of the scheme are enumerated as follows:

1. Improve the overall quality of existing State institutions by ensuring that all institutions conform to prescribed norms & standards and adopt accreditation as a mandatory quality assurance framework. This objective is a precondition for sanction of funds under all the components of RUSA.
2. Enhancing quality into Universities or Model Degree Colleges to upgrade their academic infrastructure and provide better teaching-learning environment to students.
3. Identify and fill critical infrastructure gaps in higher education by augmenting and supporting the efforts of the State Governments. Components 3 and 9 pertaining to infrastructure grants to universities and colleges address this objective, where funds are sanctioned for upgrading the existing infrastructure by way of new construction, renovation or purchase of equipment.
4. Ensure adequate availability of quality faculty in all higher educational institutions. The State is required to fill all the vacant sanctioned posts and claim funds under RUSA for additional posts to enable them to achieve the student-teacher ratio of 20:1.
5. Facilitate research and innovation in the State higher educational institutions. State is required to furnish a detailed research and innovation plan.
6. Improve Access and Equity in higher education by providing adequate opportunities of higher education to SC/STs and socially and educationally backward classes; promote inclusion of women, minorities, and differently abled persons.
7. Achieve the target of GER of 32% by expanding the institutional base of States by establishing new institutions, in order to achieve high enrolment targets.
8. Usher transformative reforms in the State higher education system by creating an institutional structure for planning and monitoring at the State level (SHEC), promoting autonomy in State Universities and improving governance in institutions.
9. Correct regional imbalances in access to higher education by facilitating access to high quality institutions in urban, semi-urban and rural areas to get access to quality institutions. This objective is a precondition while deciding allocations for different districts of the State.
10. Commitment of States to undertake reforms: Academic (semester system, CBCS, curriculum development, etc.) and Examination (internal evaluation, end of semester evaluation) in the higher educational institutions. States can also undertake affiliation reforms by restricting the no. of colleges affiliated to a university to 100. Prerequisites, a set of a priori commitments required from the States ensure timely implementation of reforms under RUSA.
11. Clearly define the role of State Governments vis-à-vis State Higher Education Councils and Institutions.

SALIENT FEATURES OF RUSA:

1. Coverage: The scheme covers only the Government and Government aided State Higher Education institutions. Open universities and Institutions offering Medical, Agriculture, Vetnary, etc. disciplines are not covered under the range of RUSA. Also, uni-disciplinary institutions are given low priority under RUSA.
2. Prerequisites: In order to be eligible for funding under RUSA, States have to fulfil certain prerequisites, which include the academic, administrative and governance reforms. The prerequisites are at two levels: commitments given by institutions to the States and commitments given by States to Center. Unless these commitments are fulfilled, the States and institutions are not able to avail of grants under RUSA.
3. Bottom-up Approach: RUSA follows a “bottom-up” approach for planning and budgeting to address multiple and graded inequalities and promote need-based planning. States are encouraged to undertake strategic thinking and planning keeping future needs of the higher education in mind. Both demand side and supply side challenges are required to be addressed by the State Higher Education Plans.
4. Subsuming existing schemes: Two Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Model Degree Colleges and the Sub-mission on Polytechnics were subsumed under RUSA in the first phase. University Grants Commission (UGC) Schemes such as development grants for State universities and colleges, one-time catch up grants, etc. are dovetailed in RUSA. However, Individual oriented schemes (for teachers, students etc) would continue to be handled by UGC. During the second phase of RUSA, the scheme on University with Potential for Excellence and Colleges with Potential for Excellence, administered by UGC have now been subsumed under RUSA 2.0, as Enhancing Quality and Excellence in select State Universities and Enhancing Quality and Excellence in select Autonomous Colleges.
5. Preparatory Grants (under Institutional restructuring, Capacity Building and Reform): Under the scheme, a preparatory amount is provided to the State Government to enable 7 them to create/ strengthen necessary institutional framework for complying with the apriori requirements and -commitments under RUSA. These funds can be utilized for setting up/ strengthening the SHECs, State Project Directorate and State Resource Centre; and undertake baseline surveys to help them in capacity building. The details of preparatory grant are captured in Chapter 6.
6. Resource Envelope: The resources allocated to a particular State for a given financial year is termed as the Resource Envelope. The allocation is based on a Fund Equalization formula. The resource envelope for a given financial year is based on a mix of base and performance-based funding, linked to conditionality’s and adherence to reforms.
7. IDPs & SHEPs: All institutions are required to prepare their Institutional Development Plan (IDPs) for all components with financial proposals on parameters that capture their respective need-based requirements. The States aggregate the IDPs and integrate into State Higher Education Plan (SHEP) by superimposing the State relevant components. It is imperative that each State undertakes base line surveys and stakeholder consultations to constitute the basis for preparing IDPs and SHEPs. It is imperative that SHEPs are duly approved by the State Higher Education Councils before onward submission to MHRD.
8. Appraisal of SHEPs: The funding to States is made on the basis of critical appraisal of State Higher Education Plans done by Technical Support Group (TSG) at the Centre. The prioritization of components based on the resource envelope of the State is jointly done by the State and the TSG in a collaborative exercise, based on adherence to RUSA norms and State-specific needs. The prioritized components are jointly presented before the Project Approval Board (PAB) for approval.
9. Funding under RUSA: All funding under the RUSA is norm based and future grants are outcome dependent. The central funding is strategic and based on SHEPs, which serve as a benchmark against which the performance of a State and its institutions are graded. Centre-State funding is in the ratio of 90:10 for North-Eastern States, Sikkim, J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and 60:40for other States and Union Territories (UTs) with Legislature. Also, the UTs without Legislature would be 100% centrally funded under this scheme.
10. Flow of Funds: The central funding flows from MHRD to institutions, through the State Governments. The State Higher Education Council is responsible for transfer of central share along with the matching State share to the approved institutions.
11. State Higher Education Councils: SHECs is the key institution at the State level to channelize resources to the institutions from the State budget. They undertake the process of planning and evaluation, in addition to other monitoring and capacity building functions.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF RUSA:

RUSA is structured on certain inviolable guiding principles. The States are expected to keep these principles as guiding posts while formulating their State Higher Education Plans and developing their strategies.

1. Quality and Research Focus: RUSA focuses on better quality of State higher education Institutions. The aim is to achieve mass access to higher education with high quality standards. States must ensure that all its institutions adopt NAAC accreditation as mandatory quality assurance framework; and simultaneously seek to upgrade the overall academic quality by implementing reforms. States will be encouraged to promote research and innovation in their institutions. Since research focus can be judged both from input efforts and outcome indicators, the State Higher Education Plans are expected to have a rounded appreciation of both aspects. States and institutions are expected to honestly declare their present status in this area and outline specific strategies for improvement, including the use of ICT. There is a need to improve resource allocation for universities to enable good quality research & innovation. Criteria such as the number of research publications, impact factors of journals in which papers are published, citations, the amount of research funding attracted, etc., should be considered for faculty promotions.
2. Norm based and Outcome-dependent funding: The cornerstone around which RUSA is designed is that funding under the RUSA is norm based and future grants are outcome dependent. The central funding is strategic and based on SHEPs, which serve as a benchmark against which the performance of a State and its institutions are graded. The funding for the future is decided on the basis of level of past achievements and utilization of funds submitted to MHRD.
3. Incentivizing and dis-incentivizing: RUSA incentivizes and dis-incentivizes the State actions. Not only compliance to rules, regulations and fulfillment of norms are supported by incentives; non-performance or nonfulfilment of prerequisites and norms invite reduced allocations for States and institutions. This is intended to make the scheme not only demand driven, but also competitive. The States 9 and institutions are encouraged to compete with each other in order to reap benefits of competition based formulaic grants
4. Apolitical decision-making: Another basic principle of RUSA is that the decision-making is done in an unbiased, apolitical and professional manner, on the basis of the SHEPs and the performance of States on the predefined parameters. The process of decision-making and its result are transparent and the methods of decision-making impartial. It is expected that States would also be as unbiased, apolitical and professional while planning and ushering governance reforms at the State level. In order to effectively implement these reforms, the selection of leadership positions in State universities should take into account the imperatives of merit and performance.
5. Autonomy: Autonomy is an indispensable condition for quality and accountability. RUSA envisages greater autonomy of institutions in terms of decision making. The institutions will have full liberty to plan specific interventions depending on their special needs and requirements. Some key concerns in enforcement of university autonomy are as follows:
   Revisiting the Acts: There is a need to revisit the acts of various State Universities to see if there are some clauses detrimental to their autonomy.
   Streamlining the Recruitment Process: The universities must have the autonomy to recruit the most competent faculty as per the laid down procedures and purely on the basis of merit.
6. Disclosure-based Governance: Disclosure based governance must be followed by institutions in terms of its decision and outcomes. RUSA envisages greater participation of all stakeholders, where the institutions are responsible for their quality not just to the regulatory authorities but also to the students, parents and the society. A policy of full disclosure and clean governance are the first steps towards establishing such a system of higher education.
7. Equity based development: Equity-based development initiatives must form an essential part of any development or expansion plans, both at State& institution level. Any growth in the higher education sector must create equal opportunities for women, disadvantaged classes and the differently-abled. Also, development must have a greater focus on serving the rural and tribal areas. The plan appraisal process would take this aspect into account while deciding the allocations. Well calibrated equity strategies must be built into the entire State planning process.

GENERAL NORMS UNDER RUSA:

The Following norms are overarching/universal norms under RUSA applicable for all components:

1. All land must be provided free of cost by the State governments. The States shall be the exclusive owner of the land required for any activity under RUSA.
2. The State Government shall acquire and have undisputed possession of land in cases where a new institution is proposed to be set up or existing one is proposed to be expanded. Any future legal disputes must also be handled by the State Government and the Centre shall not be a party to any such dispute.
3. In case any Government aided institution is to be supported, the State shall provide a clear undertaking that any legal disputes arising out of ownership of land or building shall be defended/litigated by the State at its own cost and such costs shall not be loaded on to RUSA.

SCOPE OF RUSA:

All State public universities and colleges (both 12B and 2(f) compliant and non-12B) from all States and Union Territories (UTs) across the country are eligible to be covered under RUSA. Subject to eligibility, an estimated 384 State universities and 8500 colleges (only Government and Government aided) are covered under this initiative to improve the learning outcomes and scale-up research, development and innovations.

FUNDING STRATEGY:

RUSA is being funded through the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) with prescribed contribution from the State governments and Union Territories (UTs). The project cost in the public funded institutions for all sub-components is shared between the Central Government and State governments in the ratio of 90:10 for North-Eastern States, J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and 60:40 for Other States and UTs with Legislature.

The UTs without Legislature would be 100% centrally funded under this scheme.
Creation of New Facilities shall not exceed 35%, Renovation/ up gradation of existing facilities shall not exceed 35% and purchase of new equipment’s, creation of new facilities shall not exceed 30% of the total cost of the project.

INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OF RUSA:

RUSA is implemented and monitored through an institutional structure comprising of bodies with clearly defined roles and powers at the central, State and institutional levels.

(a) NATIONAL LEVEL BODIES:

RUSA Mission Authority is the Apex body at the national level. The Minister of Human Resource Development (MHRD) is the Chairperson of the Mission Authority. The RUSA Mission Authority delineates overall policy and planning, reviews functioning of Project Approval Board (PAB) etc. The Secretary (Higher Education) chairs the PAB which approves SHEPs, assesses performance of States and institutions and approve release of funds. The National Project Directorate, which is embedded in the Ministry, is headed by the Joint Secretary (Higher Education) in his capacity as the National Mission Director. These two 13 bodies are supported by the Technical Support Group (TSG)which examines and appraises SHEPs, monitors flow of funds and information and provides all operational, technical, logistical and managerial support.

(b) STATE LEVEL BODIES:

The scheme is steered in each State/UT through State Higher Education Councils (SHEC). The SHECs are supported in turn by the Project Directorate (created by the State Government) and State TSGs. These bodies are responsible for management, coordination, implementation and monitoring of the project at the State/UT levels. The formation of SHEC forms the primary block towards building a sound planning and funding mechanism for higher education at State level. Given the number of State universities and the large number of students they cater to, States are the unit of planning for higher education under RUSA and it is necessary to create SHEC as a body that is at an arm’s length from the State as well as centre, which synergizes their resources and fulfils these functions of planning, monitoring, quality control and co-ordination at the State level. The State Project Directorate (SPD) consists of a State Project Director and such adequate support staff as may be required for the effective functioning of the State Project Directorate.

(c) INSTITUTION LEVEL ARRANGEMENTS:

The project at the Institutional level is managed by two bodies; the Board of Governors (BoG) and a Project Monitoring Unit. The BoG takes all policy decisions with regard to smooth, cost effective and timely implementation of the Institutional project and ensure overall faculty development etc. A Project Monitoring Unit represented by academic officials, faculty, administrative officers and students is responsible for monitoring of the project at the institutional level in order to implement the governance reforms proposed under RUSA.

PROCESS FLOW UNDER RUSA:

Follows a bottom-up approach for planning and budgeting to address multiple and graded inequalities and promote need-based planning. The process flow of RUSA is given below:

RUSA 2.0 TARGETS:

1. Increase the spending of States on higher education as a % of GSDP to 2% or above.
2. Ensure all the State Institutions are NAAC Accredited by the end of March 2020 as a part of mandatory quality assurance framework.
3. Reduce the student-teacher ratio to 15:1 in Institutions by the end of March 2020 Increasing the National GER to 32% by March 2022
4. Ensure growth of GER with more inclusion of disadvantaged groups (SC/ST/Women) Ensure that all the States participate in AISHE and data pertaining to all State institutions is furnished.
5. Ensure that the number of colleges affiliated to State Universities reduce to 200.

ANDHRA PRADESH STATE PLAN:

Vision: To transform Andhra Pradesh into a knowledge hub with a world-class system of Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and into the Global Leader for Skilled, Work-Ready and World-Ready workforce.

Mission: The Government of Andhra Pradesh in line with the policy of the Government of India intends to take up the challenging task of realizing the State’s human resources potential to its fullest particularly to reap the benefits of demographic dividend and to meet the needs of the rapid and emerging growth areas of the state and world-wide. The Govt., proposes to create a knowledge based economy through a digitally empowered society, knowledge creation and a skilled man force.

The Government has thus conceived a mission mode development approach that seeks to accelerate all round development of the State. As a part of this approach, a decision has been taken to create seven missions – Social Sector Mission, Primary Mission, Infrastructure Mission, Industry Mission, Service Sector Mission, Urban Development Mission and Knowledge and Skill Development Mission.

The Knowledge and Skill Development Mission will cater to the human resources requirement of the other six missions and the Government holds the firm view that the success of this Mission will depend critically on achieving excellence in Higher Education. The State Education policy is conceptualized accordingly to meet the local, regional and global needs not only in imparting knowledge but also in its application to sustainable economic growth.
To attain vision and mission The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is made on 11.05.2018 between Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India and the State Government of Andhra Pradesh for the better implementation of the second phase of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)

METHODOLOGY

State Higher Education Plan for the second phase of RUSA has been prepared keeping in mind the two important aspects of RUSA viz., a.) Bottom up approach; b.) Evidence based decision making. This has not only resulted in proposals creating adequate facilities but also prevented wasteful expenditure. It has enabled identifying strongest and weakest nodes in the system. Thereby, ensuring increased focus on identified areas to bring about measureable outcomes in Higher Education sector.

It presents the procedural flow followed in achieving the final SHEP for RUSA 2.0. The flow can be largely divided into two major categories.

a. Stakeholder Consultations.

b. Data Collection;

a. Stakeholder Consultations: The activities conducted under RUSA phase-1 had created considerable awareness about its basic tenets/objectives and the kind of funding available under RUSA. Over the period of last one year heads of the institutions were called for workshops duly clarifying eligibility criteria, funding pattern and norms under several components of RUSA. With the change in the guidelines of RUSA phase 2.0 follow up meetings were organized and updated guidelines were circulated among the eligible institutions.

With the eligibility criteria finally being in place, a SHEC preview meeting was conducted and a draft list of institutions to be proposed under each of the components were finalized after through deliberation by members of SHEC including Commissioner, Collegiate Education and Chairman, APSCHE. In the same meeting responsibilities with respect to preparation of SHEP were allocated to nominees from CCE, APSCHE and SPD, RUSA, AP.
b. Data Collection: The data for preparation of SHEP was collected from both primary and secondary sources. Within the Higher Education department, the APSCHE and the Commissionerate of Collegiate Education were involved in collection of requisite data, for ex., Sanctioned faculty positions, district wise GER (along with sub category GER), etc. Certain data was also obtained from the portals of other state government portals including finance department. Various documents published by Finance department such as socio-economic survey were referred to for obtaining budget allocation figures. Certain data was also obtained from the annual AISHE reports. College wise data wherever required was obtained directly from the institutions either on the mail or in person at various consultation meetings.

Bhuvan RUSA App is a user-friendly mobile application which enables to collect and report geo-tagged information on various parameters such as new construction, up-gradation work and equipment in state higher educational institutions. This mobile app will provide a platform for controlled crowd sourcing to build spatial database on Bhuvan Geo-platform.

COMPONENTS UNDER RUSA:

Component 1: Creation of Universities by Upgradation of Existing Autonomous College: 3 autonomous colleges (University Grants Commission autonomous colleges regulation 2018 and compliance to the same) which have necessary infrastructural facilities, teaching strength and academic quality will be considered for up-gradation to Universities (public). The grant is subject to a maximum of Rs 55 crores for each institution.

Component 2 – Creation of Universities by conversion of colleges in a Cluster: 3 new cluster universities (public) would be created during the current Plan period with an average allocation of Rs.55 crore per university through the clustering of existing affiliated government and government-aided colleges. These universities will be created by pooling the resources of 3 to 5 existing colleges (2 to 3 colleges for NER States) that have adequate academic, physical and technical infrastructural facilities.

Component 3: Infrastructure Grants to Universities: Infrastructure grants shall be utilized for meeting critical infrastructural requirements in 50 public universities with a grant of Rs.20 crore each.

In Andhra pradesh State Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam,Chittor has been selected under RUSA 2.0. with Central share Rs.20 crore and state share Rs.8 crore from allocated grants.

Component 4: Quality and Excellence in select State Universities (New) : Universities with NAAC CGPA 3.51 and above under the UGC’s Graded Autonomy Regulations, 2018 will be supported to enhance quality, teaching and research. 10 high performing State Universities will be supported under this component at Rs. 100 crores each.

In Andhra pradesh State Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati and Andhra University, Visakhapatam has been selected under RUSA 2.0. With Central share Rs.60 crore and state share Rs.40 crore each from allocated grants.

Component 5: New Model Degree Colleges: Support will be provided for creation of colleges with requisite infrastructure (class rooms, library, laboratory, faculty rooms, toilet blocks and other essential requirements with technological advanced facilities) in 70 Aspirational Districts and identified by the NITI Aayog and un-served and under-served areas in north east and Himalayan regions. This component setting up of a new MDC by way of new construction the proposed college is eligible for a funding of Rs. 12 cr (max) for the plan period and any over and above amount is to be borne by the State Government. Those aspirational districts which have received a model degree college under RUSA 1.0 will not be eligible for funding consideration.
In Andhra pradesh State Pendlimarri, YSR Kadapa and Araku (W),Visakhapatam has been selected under RUSA 2.0. with Central share Rs.7.2 crore and state share Rs.4.8 crore each from allocated grants

Component 6: Up gradation of existing Degree Colleges to Model Degree Colleges: Under this component funds will be provided for upgrading existing government colleges into Model Degree Colleges, located in Aspirational Districts of the Country. However, priority would be given to those districts that have not yet established a new ‘Model Degree College under the UGC/RUSA. The support would be to a maximum of 75 Colleges with financial allocation of Rs.4 crores to each college. Support will be provided to upgrade existing college in the Aspirational Districts and develop them into a Model Degree College with requisite infrastructure (class rooms, library, laboratory, faculty rooms, toilet blocks and other essential requirements with technological advanced facilities)

In Andhra pradesh State Government Degree College, Vijayanagaram, Government Degree College, Paderu and Government Degree College, YSR kadapa has been selected under RUSA 2.0. With Central share Rs.2.4 crore and state share Rs.1.6 crore each from allocated grants.

Component 7: New Colleges (Professional): Support will be provided to create 8 new Professional Colleges in regions and districts in the country where the Institutional Density of Technical and Professional Education is below national average; with allocation of Rs. 26 cr each. Support under this component is to improve GER in engineering and professional education in regions where almost no such facility exists.

Component 8: Enhancing Quality and Excellence in select Autonomous Colleges: Colleges with NAAC CGPA 3.51 and above under the UGC’s Autonomy Regulations, 2018 will be supported to enhance quality, teaching and research. 70 high performing Autonomous Colleges will be supported under this component.

In Andhra pradesh State Chintalapati Satyavathi Devi, Eluru and Andhra Loyala College, Krishna has been selected under RUSA 2.0. With Central share Rs.3 crore and state share Rs.2 crore each from allocated grants.

Component 9: Infrastructure Grants to Colleges: Infrastructure grants shall be utilized for meeting critical infrastructural in 750 colleges with a grant of Rs.2 crore each.

In our State 35 Degree Colleges has been selected under RUSA 2.0.with Central share Rs.1.8 crore and state share Rs.crore each from allocated grants.

Component 10: Research, Innovation & Quality Improvement: During the current plan period, 20 State Universities who have demonstrated excellence in two or three thematic areas will be supported up to an amount of Rs. 50 crores each through a project-based funding mode with focus on theoretical/empirical and applied R&D to foster innovation and evidence-based policy in certain areas of national priorities.
In Andhra pradesh State Government Degree College, Vijayanagaram, has been selected under RUSA 2.0. With Central share Rs.30 crore and state share Rs.20 crore each from allocated grants.

Component 11 Equity Initiatives: Assistance should be provided for construction of hostels for SC, ST and Girl students. 15 States will receive funds under this component. All State universities and colleges will be eligible to receive grants for equity initiatives. Innovative approach/schemes to ensure greater inclusion will be considered on priority. Each State would be funded an amount of Rs. 5 crores.
In Andhra pradesh State Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswavidhyalayam has been selected under RUSA 2.0. With Central share Rs.3 crore and state share Rs.2 crore each from allocated grants.

Component 12: Faculty Recruitment Support:

(i) Eligible amount under RUSA: – The faculty salary as per the seventh pay commission recommendations for Assistant Professor/ Lecturer will be provided to 200 faculty positions in regular and permanent mode for a period of two years.

(ii) Total No. of faculty position to be supported: – 200 faculty position to be supported till March 2020.

(iii) Timeline: -State must commit to take over the liability of faculty positions at the end of the scheme.

Component 13: Faculty Improvement: HRDCs (Human Resource Development Centre) will be given funds to improve infrastructure and resources for training and capacity-building activities. In RUSA 2.0, a total of 8 States will be funded Rs 7 cr each.

Component 14: Institutional Restructuring, Capacity Building and Reforms: Funds will be provided to 30 States and Union Territories (depending on the size of the States) to enable them to create/strengthen necessary institutional framework for efficient and effective sectoral reforms, to the tune of Rs. 3 crores. These funds can be utilized for setting up/strengthening State Higher Educational Councils, State Resource Centers and State Project Directorate. Large State- 5 crores Medium States- 4 crores Small States- 3 crores
For Andhra Pradesh 3 crores are allocated with Central share Rs.1.8 crore and state share Rs.1.2 crore.

PROGRESS UNDER RUSA:

• Union HRD Minister Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated a model degree college, built with Rs. 12 crore under RUSA, at atmakur in Kurnool district by e-launching from Shastri bahvan in New Delhi on June 3 2016.
• Model Degree College, Kamavarapulota and Model Degree College, Jaggampet are ready to launch.
• The government degree college, Rajamahendravaram upgraded into a deemed university with RUSA funds.
• 90 Virtual Classrooms in 56 RUSA beneficiary colleges through soft launch to be inaugurated by Hon’ble HRD Minister Sri. Ganta Srinivasa Rao garu on 13.12.2017 from SRR & CVR Government Degree College, Vijayawada.
  In taking forward the vision of developing Andhra Pradesh into an education and knowledge hub, Higher Education Department have initiated many reforms in this field like introducing CHOICE BASED CREDIT SYSTEM(CBCS) , massive open online courses (MOOCS), Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enabled learning, skill enhancement courses, Summer Fellowship Program, Internship and consultancy workshops are also undertaken.

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