Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday credited the National Education Policy-2020 for the five-fold jump in the number of Indian institutions, from 11 in 2014 to 54 now, getting the QS World University-2026 rankings. He said the new high was achieved because of educational reforms launched in the country.Mr. Pradhan addressed the ninth convocation ceremony of the Central University of Rajasthan at Ajmer districtâs Kishangarh and participated in a programme at Manipal University on the outskirts of Jaipur, where he inaugurated a new lecture hall complex.In his convocation address, Mr. Pradhan said the NEP-2020 had changed the countryâs educational landscape with its emphasis on research and innovation. âThe NEP has encouraged a multidisciplinary, skill-based and employment-oriented education system, which will immensely benefit the youth,â he said.âWith the NEP, we are integrating Indiaâs heritage and knowledge traditions into modern education and fostering a sense of rootedness and pride in our culture,â Mr. Pradhan said. He described Rajasthan as a âpowerful symbolâ of the countryâs heritage, as the rulers in the erstwhile Rajputana had put up a strong resistance during the medieval period.The Minister praised the talent of the State, while referring to the consistent excellence of students in competitive examinations like JEE and NEET. NEET 2025 topper Mahesh Kumar is from Rajasthanâs Hanumangarh. Mr. Pradhan also called upon the youth to become job-creators, giving employment to at least five persons, through start-ups and entrepreneurship, rather than seeking jobs.âAs India emerges as the worldâs fourth-largest economy, it is essential to harness the innovation, skills, and leadership potential of the youth to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047,â Mr. Pradhan said. He awarded gold medals to 94 students who had secured the highest marks in their respective courses, while the degrees were conferred on a total of 1,770 students in various disciplines, including 77 Ph.D. scholars, at the convocation.Central University of Rajasthanâs Vice-Chancellor Anand Bhalerao called upon the students to use their knowledge and skills for betterment of society, while reminding them of the universityâs role in building their character and making them responsible citizens. Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary was among those present at the convocation ceremony.Published - June 20, 2025 01:15 am IST