Negotiating federalism in higher education

Higher education in India has emerged as an important site through which the changing dynamics of Indian federalism are being expressed. Issues relating to regulatory authority, curriculum, language policy, public funding, and digital governance have transformed the sector into a critical site where competing visions of the Union and State governments intersect. These developments not only shape the direction of higher education but also illuminate broader questions concerning the distribution of power within the Indian Union. As a result, governance of higher education can no longer be viewed merely as a sectoral policy concern; rather, it has become an integral component of India’s evolving federal architecture.