New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government is planning a nationwide “One Day, One University” outreach programme under which a Union minister will visit a university every day and interact directly with students, according to sources familiar with the plan.
Under the proposed initiative, ministers will be assigned universities where they will hold open-house interactions with students, listen to their views and answer questions on issues including education, jobs, skills and other matters concerning young people, the sources said.
The proposal was discussed at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, the sources said. However, the programme is still under preparation and details of its rollout are yet to be finalised.
Education Minister Pralhad Joshi and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya have been tasked with coordinating the proposed outreach, including preparing university-wise lists and assigning ministers to universities, according to the sources.
Under the proposed format, students will be able to directly question ministers and raise issues of concern. Ministers are also expected to hear students’ views on national issues and explain government schemes and initiatives, particularly those related to youth, education, skills and employment.
Sources familiar with the proposal said students may also be allowed to freely use mobile cameras during the interactions.
India has around 1,300 universities. According to University Grants Commission data, the country has 57 central universities and 522 state universities, with the remaining institutions comprising private and deemed-to-be universities.
The proposed outreach comes as the Centre steps up its focus on youth, education, skills and employment. The government has in recent weeks announced and initiated several measures aimed at young people, including a free online coaching initiative for competitive examinations announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address.
Joshi reviews free online coaching plan
In a related development, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday held a meeting with senior officials of the Department of Higher Education to review the implementation of the Prime Minister’s initiative to provide free online coaching to youth preparing for competitive examinations.
In a post on X, Joshi said the meeting focused on building a “robust national platform” to make high-quality learning content, expert guidance and structured preparation accessible to students across the country.
Prime Minister Modi had announced the free online coaching initiative in his Independence Day address, saying the government would bring together digital public infrastructure, teachers and other resources to provide free coaching for various competitive examinations.
The “One Day, One University” programme has not yet been formally announced by the government. The schedule, participating universities and ministerial assignments are yet to be finalised.
