Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Affordability, creativity, innovation: pillars for India's education reform
Many students in India are upset about their schools and colleges.
They say the current education system is old and does not prepare them for good jobs.
Students have gathered at Jantar Mantar to ask leaders for better education.
A writer says three things matter most: making education affordable, encouraging creativity, and supporting innovation.
Private schools are very expensive, so poor students are left out.
The writer also says exams that decide a student's future in just three hours are unfair.
The government is spending less money on education than it did years ago.
The writer believes leaders should listen to students and fix the education system before it is too late.
Students have been protesting at Jantar Mantar demanding serious educational reform, while questions have been raised about why CJP leaders have not visited Ranchi to join a protest against the Hemant Soren government.
The article argues India's education system is outdated and needs urgent reform based on three pillars: affordability, creativity, and innovation.
India's education budget has shrunk from 4.7% of GDP in 2013-14 to 2.5% in 2025-26, while research and development spending stands at only 0.84% of GDP.
The writer criticises expensive private schools, coaching institutes, and three-hour competitive exams for excluding poor students and stifling creative talent.
The RSS chief has advocated education spending of 6% of GDP, and the writer warns that ideology-based university appointments are hurting the country's knowledge system.
- Who
- Indian students protesting at Jantar Mantar and in Ranchi, the Hemant Soren government, the RSS chief, and the writer Ashutosh of SatyaHindi.com.
- What
- A demand for serious reform of India's education system built on affordability, creativity, and innovation.
- When
- Not specified in the article; it cites education budget trends from 2013-14 to 2025-26.
- Where
- India, specifically Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and Ranchi in Jharkhand.
- Why
- Students are frustrated because the outdated education system has failed to provide them with a good life, a good career, and a respectable job.
Reform advocates
Government and status-quo defenders
Education spending
Reform advocates
The education budget share has fallen from 4.7% of GDP in 2013-14 to 2.5% in 2025-26, and R&D spending of 0.84% of GDP is abysmal; more investment is needed.
Government and status-quo defenders
According to the article, the government's argument has been that the absolute education budget volume has increased over the years.
Competitive exam system
Reform advocates
Three-hour competitive exams should be scrapped because a student's life should not be decided by a single sitting; the system should instead search for creative talents.
Government and status-quo defenders
The current system, as described, treats competitive exam performance as the standard for judging talent and granting access to good careers.
University appointments
Reform advocates
Talented youths of differing ideologies are being thrown out of universities while mediocre candidates are placed in departments, with ideology preferred over talent.
Government and status-quo defenders
The article does not give the appointing authorities' defence, but notes governments have made no visible effort to course-correct.
- Education budget 2013-14
- 4.7% of GDP
- Education budget 2025-26
- 2.5% of GDP
- Research and development spending
- 0.84% of GDP
- RSS chief's proposal
- 6% of GDP for education
- Protest location
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Government targeted in Ranchi
- Hemant Soren government
- Proposed reform pillars
- Affordability, creativity, innovation