Ministry of Education-Government of India
Education plays a significant and remedial role in balancing the socio-economic fabric of the Country. Since citizens of India are its most valuable resource, our billion-strong nation needs the nurture and care in the form of basic education to achieve a better quality of life. This warrants an all-round development of our citizens, which can be achieved by building strong foundations in education. In pursuance of this mission, the Ministry of Education (MoE) was created on September 26, 1985, through the 174th amendment to the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961. Currently, the MoE works through two departments:
- Department of School Education & Literacy
- Department of Higher Education
While the Department of School Education & Literacy is responsible for development of school education and literacy in the country, the Department of Higher Education takes care of what is one of the largest Higher Education systems of the world, just after the United States and China.
The Dept of SE & L has its eyes set on the “universalisation of education” and making better citizens out of our young brigade. For this, various new schemes and initiatives are taken up regularly and recently, those schemes and initiatives have also started paying dividends in the form of growing enrolment in schools.
The Dept of HE, on the other hand, is engaged in bringing world class opportunities of higher education and research to the country so that Indian students are not finding lacking when facing an international platform. For this, the Government has launched joint ventures and signed MoUs to help the Indian student benefit from the world opinion.
Objectives
The main objectives of the Ministry would be:
- Formulating the National Policy on Education and to ensure that it is implemented in letter and spirit
- Planned development, including expanding access and improving quality of the educational institutions throughout the country, including in the regions where people do not have easy access to education.
- Paying special attention to disadvantaged groups like the poor, females and the minorities
- Provide financial help in the form of scholarships, loan subsidy, etc to deserving students from deprived sections of the society.
- Encouraging international cooperation in the field of education, including working closely with the UNESCO and foreign governments as well as Universities, to enhance the educational opportunities in the country.
ICT Initiatives-Audio Video e-Content
| S.No. | Resource | For students/Researchers | For Institutions |
| Ministry of Education –Audio-Video e-content | |||
| 1 | SWAYAM: Massive Open Online Courses | Earn credit through online courses | – Encourage your extraordinary faculty to develop online courses – Accept credits awarded under SWAYAM – Form SWAYAM local chapters |
| 2 | SWAYAMPRABHA: View digital courses on TV | Watch high quality educational programs 24*7 | Provide facility for viewing SWAYAMPRABHA content |
| Ministry of Education: Digital content: access journals and e-books | |||
| 1 | National Digital Library: e-content | Access e-content on multiple disciplines | – Get your E-content listed – Form NDL Club |
| 2 | e-PG Pathshala: Gateway for e-books upto PG | Get free books and curriculum-based e-content | Host e-books |
| 3 | Shodhganga: A reservoir of Indian Theses | Access Research Theses of scholars of Indian Institutes | Get research theses of your scholars to get listed on Shodhganga |
| 4 | e-ShodhSindhu: e-journals | Get access to full text e-resources | Get access to full-text e-resources |
| Ministry of Education : Accelerated Hands on learning | |||
| 1 | e-Yantra: Engineering for better tomorrow | Get hands on experience on embedded systems | Create e-Yantra labs for training in embedded systems in collaboration with IIT Bombay |
| 2 | FOSSEE: Free/Libre and Open Source Software for Education | – Access and volunteer for the use of open source software – Become FOSSEE fellow | Run labs in open source |
| 3 | Spoken Tutorial: Tutorial in IT application | Self-training in IT fields | Encourage eminent faculty to provide training content for self-learning |
| 4 | Virtual Labs: Web-enabled experiments designed for remote – operation | Try curriculum based virtual experiments | Develop virtual experiments for Virtual labs suited to course curriculum in gap areas |
| 5 | National Internship Portal | Internships for students & fresh Engineers | Apprenticeship embedded courses |
| 6 | National Educational Alliance for Technology | Portal developed for the learners | Free seats for existing students of higher education from weaker sections of society |
| Ministry of Education : E – Goverenence | |||
| 1 | University Enterprise Resource Planning (SAMARTH) | Student development Life Cycle | E-Governance for Institutions/Universities |
| Track your progress | |||
| 1 | VIDWAN: Expert Database and National Research Network IRINS: Indian Research Information Network System | Register on VIDWAN | Get your faculty registered on VIDWAN – Monitor research outcomes at different levels |
| 2 | Shodh Shudhhi (PDS): Plagiarism Detection Software | Unique ideas, concepts and information without duplication. | – Encourage original information by preventing plagiarism. – Better research outcomes. – Reputation of the institution/university. |
| 3 | Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) | Student’s Academic Credit Repository | Facility to Store, Transfer and Credit redemption |
The integration of Information and Communication Technology
The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the Indian education system marks a transformative era in the country’s approach to education. This development has brought about significant improvements in accessibility, quality, and inclusiveness of education across the nation. With the widespread adoption of digital tools and platforms, students from diverse backgrounds now have enhanced opportunities to learn and grow.
ICT has facilitated personalized learning, enabling students to learn at their own pace and according to their individual needs. It has also empowered teachers with innovative teaching methods and resources, fostering a more engaging and interactive learning environment. Additionally, the reach of education has expanded to remote and underserved areas, bridging the gap between urban and rural education.
Moreover, the government’s commitment to promoting ICT in education through initiatives like Digital India and the National Education Policy 2020 underscores the importance of digital literacy and technological proficiency in preparing students for the future. These efforts have laid a strong foundation for a more dynamic and resilient education system.
However, challenges such as infrastructure deficits, digital divides, and the need for continuous teacher training must be addressed to fully realize the potential of ICT in education. By overcoming these obstacles, India can ensure that its education system not only keeps pace with global advancements but also contributes to the nation’s socio-economic development.
In conclusion, ICT development in the Indian education system is a pivotal step towards creating a more inclusive, equitable, and future-ready education landscape. With sustained efforts and strategic investments, ICT can continue to drive educational excellence and innovation in India.