NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Proposes Overhaul of India's Higher Education System

According to former NITI Aayog vice chairman Arvind Panagariya, India needs to overhaul its higher education system in order to leverage the declining working age population in developed countries like the US and Europe. He highlighted that populations in many countries, including China, the US, and European nations, are aging, resulting in a decline in the working age population. However, India, along with Africa, is projected to contribute positively to the global working age group. By 2040, India is expected to add around 150 million individuals to the working age population.

Given the potential shortages in the global workforce, Panagariya emphasized the importance of India's middle class transition and the need for a revamped higher education system. He highlighted the global demand for an educated workforce and the urgent need to improve the quality of education in India. With India likely to define the global workforce, he emphasized the cultural assimilation power of Indian expatriates, suggesting that despite anti-immigration policies in some countries, the demand for skilled workers will remain strong.

In summary, Panagariya stressed the significance of reforming India's higher education system to meet global workforce demands and the cultural acceptance of Indian expatriates in destination countries.