650 new universities, double medical seats since 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Government has established nearly 650 universities over the past decade, and the number of medical colleges has more than doubled since 2014.

In his address on the 80th Independence Day, Modi stated that the Government had implemented a new education policy after several decades, aimed at benefiting middle-class families.

“For 35 years, there had been no new education policy; we have brought in a new Education Policy, and middle-class families have benefited from it,” he said from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Modi noted that from 2004 to 2014, there were fewer than 350 universities in the country. “And today, within these 10-12 years, nearly 650 new universities have been added. We are approaching the figure of 1,000,” he said.

Modi also highlighted the expansion of medical education, noting that the number of medical colleges has more than doubled since 2014. “Before 2014, there were only around 400 medical seats; today, there are nearly 850 medical seats,” he said. The prime minister further stated that India is becoming an attractive destination for foreign universities, enabling Indian students to earn foreign degrees while studying domestically.

“Not only that, but foreign universities are now also coming to Bharat. Arrangements have been made so that my young people can obtain degrees from foreign universities while studying in India,” he said.

“We are working to ensure that young minds are engaged with technology from an early age. That is why we have established more than 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs for children,” Modi said. He added that the Government has also created new opportunities for startups.

Modi emphasised that India, led by young people with an average age of 28, launched its satellites and rockets, succeeding on its first attempt. “They have accomplished something truly remarkable,” he stated.