Yogi: Bring private educational institutions in state under SIRF for uniform quality benchmarks

Indian Express

02-05-2025

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday directed that private institutions in the state be brought under the State Institutional Ranking (SIRF) to maintain uniform quality benchmarks across the board.
The CM, who chaired a review meeting of the Technical Education and Vocational Education departments, stressed that all technical institutions must actively participate in quality evaluations conducted by bodies such as the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), National Board of Accreditation (NBA), and National Institutional Ranking (NIRF). He, however, underlined the need for thorough preparation before applying for these accreditations to maintain excellence.
Technical Education Minister Ashish Patel and Vocational Education Minister Kapil Dev Aggarwal were also present in the meeting. It was informed during the meeting that 1.64 lakh seats have been offered at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow, for the academic session 2024-25. The university has aligned its curriculum with the National Education Policy, 2020, introducing MOOC-based learning, a choice-based credit system, multiple entry and exit options and integrated programmes, it was claimed.
The CM was apprised that in 2023-24 academic year, 12,739 students from the university secured employment, with the highest annual package reaching Rs 59.91 lakh. He instructed the officials to expedite recruitment for all vacant academic and non-academic positions.
While reviewing diploma-level technical education, it was noted that 2,139 polytechnic institutes are currently functioning in the state. These include 147 government, 19 aided, 1,948 private and 18 institutions under the public private partnership (PPP) mode, with a total intake capacity of over 2.68 lakh students, officials said. At present, more than 1.15 lakh students are enrolled in these institutions, they added.
Officials of the Department of Vocational Education and Skill Development informed that 324 government and 2,982 private ITIs are operational in the state. With support from Tata Technologies Limited, 212 government ITIs have been upgraded with modern laboratories and trained instructors. These institutions now offer both long-term courses and short-term skill development programmes, it was informed.
For the 2024–25 academic year, nearly 1.25 lakh trainees have secured apprenticeship and employment opportunities. More than 30,000 students have also applied under the PM Internship Scheme. It was also noted that modern skill laboratories have been set up in at least 37 districts through corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions from reputed industrial units. The regular organisation of monthly placement drives has significantly boosted local employment, with more than 2.67 lakh apprentices placed over the past five years under the NPS and CMAPS schemes.