Rajasthan universities: Governor Bagde review

Rajasthan universities should become centres of excellence by promoting research and innovation and building courses around the needs of industry, Governor and Chancellor Haribhau Bagde said at a special review meeting of state-funded universities at Lok Bhavan in Jaipur on 30 October 2026, DIPR Rajasthan said.

Rajasthan universities: Governor Haribhau Bagde chairs the review meeting with vice-chancellors at Lok Bhavan — Governor Haribhau Bagde chairs the review meeting with vice-chancellors at Lok Bhavan Photo: DIPR Rajasthan (official handout, free to use with credit).

What Haribhau Bagde asked Rajasthan universities to do

The Governor asked vice-chancellors to arrange online lectures by subject experts, beyond textbooks, and to run skill development activities. He said that in an age of information and communication technology, universities must become centres of excellence, and suggested identifying distinguished experts from India and abroad whose online teaching could be used. He said universities should regularly find out what industry needs, design courses accordingly and link students to skill training, so that they can supply the human resources industry requires. He cited Raffles University in Neemrana as an example of training students to industry demand. He said bringing in the online services of experts in specific subjects would have far-reaching positive effects on higher education. Bagde is also Chancellor of the state universities, which is why such reviews are held at Lok Bhavan.

Key Facts

Meeting: review of state-funded universities
Venue: Lok Bhavan, Jaipur, 30 October 2026
Chaired by: Governor Haribhau Bagde
Enrolment target: 25% rise
New colleges: 76 in two years (ACS Kuldeep Ranka)

RUSA works must be finished on time

Bagde directed that building and repair works under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) be completed on time and to quality standards. He asked for a review of construction agencies and regular site inspections by the officers concerned, and stressed that grants must be used properly and that agencies’ work be certified on the basis of quality. Deputy Chief Minister and Higher Education Minister Prem Chand Bairwa stressed working to RUSA norms and using the funds transparently in construction. These works are funded under RUSA, the Centre’s scheme for state higher education.

Governor Haribhau Bagde speaks during the meeting Photo: DIPR Rajasthan (official handout, free to use with credit).

Higher education targets in Rajasthan

Additional Chief Secretary Kuldeep Ranka said the national focus is on raising gross enrolment, and that Rajasthan has set a target of a 25 per cent rise in enrolment. He said 76 new colleges have opened in the state in the past two years, and that Jaipur, Jodhpur and Alwar have been developed as hubs where universities of different disciplines work together. He also spoke about start-up and incubation work in universities under RUSA, the release said. Ranka also suggested appointing “professors of practice” in universities. The Governor’s Secretary, Dr Prithvi, stressed developing universities as centres for the all-round development of students and described various activities, and Higher Education Commissioner Nathmal Didel briefed the meeting on state schemes and work in higher education. Vice-chancellors of universities across the state and a large number of officials attended the meeting.

Why It Matters: Industry-linked courses and skills training decide whether graduates from state universities find jobs, which is a big concern for Rajasthan's young people.

Source: DIPR: Governor reviews universities · Lok Bhavan Rajasthan · RUSA