Access to Higher Education and the Shift toward Skill Development: A Critical Analysis of Government Policy in Relation to the Indian Knowledge System

Abstract

This paper examines that the central government is making access to higher education more challenging by encouraging universities to become self-reliant. The shift toward reduced public funding and rising tuition fees risks rendering higher education unaffordable, especially for students from middle- and lower-income backgrounds. As a result, youth are increasingly being directed toward skill development programs and entrepreneurship initiatives, such as Startup India, as alternatives to formal education. The paper further explores the broader economic implications of restricted access to education, including declining consumer demand, growing student debt burdens, and the urgent need for effective government interventions. Additionally, it analyzes how the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) can complement both higher education and skill development, fostering a balanced approach that integrates traditional wisdom with modern economic needs.