Youth Migration Spurs Call for Reforms in Uttarakhand’s Higher Education Sector

A new report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Uttarakhand’s higher education system lays bare both the promise and the pitfalls of a sector that is central to the state’s development journey. Although Uttarakhand is a relatively young state, formed in 2000, it has worked to expand its academic and research landscape. Legacy institutions such as Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Kumaun University, and Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology sit alongside newer ones like Doon University and a cluster of private universities including Graphic Era and Uttaranchal University. Together, they reflect a mix of heritage and aspiration. Yet higher education in this Himalayan state is inseparable from its geography: scattered populations, fragile connectivity, and mountainous terrain continue to shape both opportunities and challenges in access, quality, and outcomes.

Growth and Its Uneven Edges

The ADB report traces how Uttarakhand inherited much of its higher education framework from Uttar Pradesh but expanded rapidly after gaining statehood. Today, the state hosts nearly 40 universities and over 400 colleges, but numbers alone do not tell the full story. Many colleges operate under the affiliation system, which creates administrative bottlenecks and limits institutional autonomy. Faculty shortages remain pervasive, laboratories are poorly equipped, and research ecosystems are weak. Despite these constraints, the state’s Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) stands at 42 percent, above the national average of 28.4 percent. Yet, the report cautions that high enrollment does not necessarily translate into quality. Dropout rates are high, and completion rates remain low. In effect, Uttarakhand risks expanding in quantity without ensuring the quality that sustains long-term growth.

Barriers of Access and the Flight of Youth

Accessibility emerges as a recurring concern in the ADB’s analysis. Students in remote hill districts often travel long distances through difficult terrain to attend classes, while financial burdens deter many from continuing beyond secondary education. The overwhelming dominance of arts and humanities courses, compared with limited offerings in science, engineering, medicine, and skill-linked disciplines, restricts career options. This imbalance feeds into what the report calls the “livelihood gap.” With nearly 39 percent of degree-holders classified as not in education, employment, or training, the mismatch between education and job markets is stark. The outcome is visible in the steady outmigration of young people seeking opportunities elsewhere. This “flight of youth” deprives Uttarakhand not only of talent but also of the social and economic vibrancy that educated young citizens bring to a region.

Private Expansion, Public Questions

The government has attempted to address systemic weaknesses through national and state-level reforms, aligning with the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and the National Education Policy (NEP). Digital classrooms, accreditation frameworks, and research programs are gradually being introduced, though their reach remains uneven. Meanwhile, private universities and self-financing institutions, especially in the plains districts, have grown rapidly. Well-known institutions like Graphic Era and the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies have built reputations that extend beyond Uttarakhand and attract students nationwide. This expansion, however, raises concerns over affordability, commercialization, and inconsistent standards. Fees are often prohibitively high for students from modest backgrounds, and regulation has not kept pace with the pace of private growth. The ADB warns that without stronger oversight, Uttarakhand risks creating a two-track system where quality and access diverge sharply between private and government institutions.

Toward a Roadmap for Inclusive Growth

The report pays close attention to social and gender inclusion. Female enrollment has improved significantly, supported by scholarships and targeted state schemes, but dropout rates among young women remain high, especially in rural and hilly areas where social pressures and financial burdens are acute. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes face parallel challenges despite affirmative measures. For ADB, the roadmap forward is clear but demanding: large-scale recruitment and training of faculty, building research ecosystems relevant to the state’s ecological and cultural context, and moving toward governance reforms that combine autonomy with accountability. The report highlights the potential of digital and blended learning to overcome geographical barriers, while also stressing the need for stronger industry linkages to improve employability. Courses aligned to Uttarakhand’s economic strengths, tourism, horticulture, forestry, and renewable energy could help anchor students within the state, creating a virtuous cycle of education and employment.

A State at the Crossroads

What emerges from the ADB’s assessment is a portrait of a state at a critical crossroads. The report reveals the sharp divide between urban centers and remote districts. The heavy reliance on government jobs, coupled with weak industry exposure and poor career counseling, widens the gap between aspiration and opportunity. Uttarakhand’s higher education story is, in many ways, a mirror of its larger developmental struggle, ambition constrained by structure, talent stymied by limited opportunity, and potential undermined by outmigration. With decisive reforms, the state’s universities and colleges could serve as engines of inclusive growth and sustainability. But if the challenges remain unaddressed, the cycle of youth migration, uneven development, and institutional stagnation may deepen. As the Asian Development Bank’s report stresses, higher education in Uttarakhand is more than a policy issue; it is a pivotal factor shaping the very future of the Himalayan state.