Jharkhand CM sets 15-day deadline for university panel

Jharkhand CM Unveils Roadmap to Modernise Higher Education, Focuses on Jobs and Innovation

Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday outlined an ambitious roadmap to transform the state’s higher and technical education sector, emphasizing that Jharkhand must move “from mining to mind” by investing in quality education, innovation and a future-ready workforce.

Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Higher and Technical Education Department at the Jharkhand Ministry, the Chief Minister reviewed the progress of schemes during FY 2025-26 and the action plan for the current financial year. Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar and senior officials attended the meeting.

Soren directed officials to modernise higher education institutions in line with global standards and ensure that students receive industry-oriented and employment-focused education. Stressing that no student should be deprived of higher education due to financial constraints, he asked the department to expand the reach of the Guruji Student Credit Card Scheme. Officials informed the meeting that loans have been approved for 2,888 eligible students, with banks disbursing ₹64 crore to 243 beneficiaries so far under a state-backed guarantee.

The Chief Minister instructed the department to operationalise the Jharkhand University Service Commission (JUSC) within 15 days to expedite faculty recruitment and fill vacant positions in universities. He also called for the activation of the state’s Coaching Regulatory Authority within the same timeframe.

In a major policy decision, the government gave in-principle approval to establish Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres in all state universities through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Soren also directed officials to introduce live online classes across universities from the 2026-27 academic session, beginning with pilot projects at Jharkhand Raksha Shakti University and BBMKU Dhanbad.

The meeting also approved plans to upgrade BIT Sindri into a Unitary University, with officials asked to prepare the necessary legislation and a comprehensive digital transformation plan. The Chief Minister further proposed the creation of technical education clusters across nine districts and instructed institutions to introduce emerging courses in artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductor manufacturing, electric vehicles, logistics, textile design and advanced technologies.

To strengthen institutional excellence, Soren directed the formation of a new governance framework for BIT and other technical institutions on the lines of IITs and NITs, along with a Council for Institutes of Eminence.

The government also decided to bring the Jharkhand Urban Planning and Management Institute (JUPMI) under the Higher and Technical Education Department, where new programmes in urban planning and infrastructure management will be introduced.

Reviewing scholarship programmes, research grants, apprenticeship schemes and the newly launched Jharkhand Robotics Festival, the Chief Minister reiterated that strengthening higher education is essential for creating a knowledge-driven economy and generating quality employment for the state’s youth. He also directed officials to identify alternative sources of funding for higher education within the next three months to accelerate reforms.