PM Modi praises NEP impact, Tamil Nadu CM Vijay seeks ₹5,110 crore in dues

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Oct 11 said the National Education Policy (NEP) was improving the quality of education and strengthening the global standing of Indian educational institutions, citing an increase in the number of Indian universities featured in international rankings.

Speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya in Chennai, Modi said the number of Indian universities featured in the QS rankings had increased from 14 in 2015 to 52 in the latest edition.

"The global standing of Indian educational institutions is strengthening," he said. "In the 2015 QS rankings, only 14 Indian universities featured on the list. In the latest rankings, that number has increased to 52. This clearly demonstrates that more institutions mean more choices and greater opportunities for you."

Modi also highlighted the expansion of India's higher education system since 2014, noting that the number of universities had increased from approximately 750 to more than 1,300. The number of colleges had also grown from around 38,000 to more than 52,000.

"The country's education landscape is changing," Modi said.

His remarks on the NEP come against the backdrop of Tamil Nadu's opposition to the policy. The previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government had been a vocal critic of the NEP, making education policy a point of disagreement between the state and the Union government.

During the visit, Modi also inaugurated projects and laid foundation stones for development initiatives worth more than ₹13,000 crore across metro rail, highways, railways, ports, petroleum and scientific research.

The prime minister and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay jointly inaugurated the Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch, the first section of Chennai Metro Rail's Phase II project.

Modi also offered prayers at the Jalakandeswarar Temple on the Indian Institute of Technology Madras campus before visiting the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at the institute.

Vijay seeks release of ₹5,110 crore under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay urged the Union government to release ₹5,110 crore in pending central funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), requesting that the amount be transferred without conditions.

"Under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan scheme, Rs 5,110 crore of the central share is due to Tamil Nadu. I request the Government of India to release the amount without any conditionalities," he said.

Vijay also called on the Centre to take steps to make Tamil the principal language of the Madras High Court.

“When the union and state governments work together, its benefit should directly reflect in the lives of the people, and that is our approach,” Vijay, also the founder-chief of ruling TVK, fresh from the victory in bypolls to two Assembly constituencies, said.

The chief minister said his government had completed more than 100 days in office and was working to establish a transparent administration focused on social justice.

“Our government has transformed the political landscape and ushered in a new political chapter having successfully completed more than 100 days; we are striving to establish a corruption-free and transparent administration rooted in social justice,” he said, outlining the ancient culture and language of Tamil Nadu and its people and his regime’s guiding principle of equality and inclusiveness.

Vijay's emphasis on cooperation with the Union government comes after a period of strained relations between the Centre and the previous DMK administration over several issues, including the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and disputes involving the Governor's office.