‘3Cs’ Crisis in Indian Education- Explained Pointwise

Education is not merely a service—it is a public good, a constitutional right (Article 21A), and the bedrock of India’s demographic dividend. However, the Indian education system is today haunted by three intertwined threats ‘3Cs’ —Centralization, Commercialization, and Communalization—collectively undermining the idea of “Education for All”.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has been hailed as a transformative reform, yet these alarming trends are eroding its potential impact.

What are the ‘3Cs’ Crisis in Indian Education?

Centralization: Erosion of Federalism in Education

1. Marginalization of States: According to ASER 2024, only 6% of schools are under the Central government, yet key decisions (syllabus, exams, funding) are increasingly centralized.

2. Ignoring the Concurrent List: NEP 2020 was implemented without consulting states, despite education being a Concurrent List subject. The introduction of PARAKH central boards risks sidelining State Boards.

3. Financial Coercion: As per the Parliamentary Standing Committee’s 363rd Report, the PM-SHRI schools scheme forces states to comply by withholding Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds (₹38,000 crore pending).

4. Takeover of State Universities: UGC 2025 draft guidelines empower governors (acting as Chancellors) to control Vice-Chancellor appointments, sidelining state governments (e.g., Kerala vs. Governor feud).

5. Concentration of Regulatory Power: The Draft Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill further consolidates authority at the Centre, undermining institutional diversity.

6. Curriculum Control: The National Curriculum Framework (2023) shifts curriculum control to the Centre, ignoring local needs and innovations (e.g., Kerala’s localized curriculum for tribal students).

7. Violation of Federal Principles: This contradicts recommendations by the Sarkaria Commission and National Knowledge Commission, which emphasized cooperative federalism in education.

Commercialization: Privatization and Fee Hikes

1. Exclusion Due to Costs: UDISE+ 2022 reports a 25% dropout rate in secondary education due to unaffordability. NSSO 2022 data highlights that only 12% of poor rural children can access private schools.

2. Decline of Public Schools: ASER 2023 notes that 89,441 government schools shut down (2014-24), forcing students into expensive private institutions.

3. RTE Dilution: NEP’s ‘school complexes’ replace neighborhood schools, pushing economically weaker students into private institutions.

4. Loan-Based Education: HEFA (Higher Education Financing Agency) replaces UGC grants with market-rate loans, leading to fee hikes (78-100% HEFA loans repaid via student fees—Parliamentary Committee’s 364th Report).

5. Corruption in Accreditation: The NAAC bribery scandal and NEET-UG 2024 paper leaks expose the vulnerability of the system to fraud and profiteering.

6. Rising Private Expenditure: Households spend ₹8,331 per child annually in private schools vs. ₹2,231 in government schools (NSSO 2017-18). Economic Survey 2022-23 shows private education expenditure (₹2.5 lakh crore) exceeds public spending.

• Falling RTE Admissions: RTE admissions in private schools declined by 32% (ASER 2022).
• Fee Surge: IITs and IIMs have increased fees by 300% since.

7. Coaching and EdTech Boom: The ₹38,000 crore EdTech industry promotes exam-centric learning, with Kota coaching hubs charging up to ₹5 lakh/year (CRISIL Report 2023). Despite T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. Karnataka (2002) ruling education is not a business, rampant profiteering continues.

Communalization: Rewriting History and Ideological Takeover

1. Erasing Pluralism: Textbook revisions (e.g., erasure of Mughal history, rationalizing riots) promote majoritarian narratives and undermine secularism (Article 28).

2. Hate Indoctrination: States like Uttarakhand and Gujarat have been accused of using curricula to demonize minorities, polarizing young minds.

3. Whitewashing History: No mention of Dalit movements.

4. Court Ruling: In Aruna Roy v. Union of India (2002), the Supreme Court ruled that education must be secular and free from religious propaganda. It also undermines the National Curriculum Framework (2005) that upheld inclusivity, rationality, and constitutional values.

What is the Significance of Decentralized, Secularized Education as a Public Good?

1. Promotes Equity and Inclusion: Decentralization empowers local authorities to design culturally sensitive and linguistically relevant curricula. RTE Act, 2009 mandates local authorities to ensure neighborhood schooling, promoting equity. E.g. Kerala’s Panchayat-led school reforms have enhanced tribal and coastal community education access.

2. Protects Constitutional Values: A secularized curriculum fosters constitutional morality, tolerance, and scientific temper as per Article 51A of the Constitution. The Supreme Court in Aruna Roy v. Union of India (2002) held that value education must be secular and not religiously proselytizing. In Bandhua Mukti Morcha vs. UoI (1984), SC linked education to right to life (Article 21).

Constitutional & Legal Mandates: Article 21A provides right to education for 6-14 years, RTE Act, 2009, mandates 25% reservation for EWS in private schools and NEP 2020, aims for 100% GER (Gross Enrollment Ratio) by 2030. E.g. Bandhua Mukti Morcha vs. UoI (1984), SC linked education to right to life (Article 21).

3. Improves Governance and Responsiveness: Decentralization facilitates contextual problem-solving, real-time grievance redressal, and accountability. E.g. Rajasthan’s Shiksha Mitra Scheme empowered local school management committees to address dropouts and infrastructure gaps.

4. Enables Data-driven Local Planning: Local bodies can use DISE (District Information System for Education) data to tailor educational interventions. Think tank PRATHAM’s ASER reports reveal district-level disparities, highlighting the need for localized strategies.

5. Encourages Pluralism and Social Harmony: A secular education helps prevent sectarianism, communalism, and fosters unity in diversity. E.g. Old NCERT textbooks emphasize secular values, composite culture, and shared history to promote national integration.

6. Strengthens Educational Outcomes: Involving Gram Sabhas, PTAs, and School Management Committees (SMCs) enhances school performance. Study by Accountability Initiative (Centre for Policy Research) shows community-led monitoring improved learning outcomes in Madhya Pradesh.

7. Democratizes Knowledge and Curriculum: Decentralized curriculum design allows inclusion of local histories, indigenous knowledge, and regional heroes, helping overcome centralized biases. E.g. North-East India textbooks now include local folklore and tribal movements, increasing student engagement and cultural pride.

8. Economic Growth: A skilled and educated workforce is essential for driving economic growth and innovation. According to the World Bank, a 1% rise in education spending boosts GDP by 0.5%. E.g. Kerala Model: 94% literacy rate (Census 2011) linked to high HDI (0.784). Case Study: Tamil Nadu’s Mid-Day Meal Scheme reduced dropout rates by 11% (NITI Aayog, 2021).

9. Social Equity: Education is a powerful tool for social mobility and empowerment. The RTE Act aims to ensure equitable access to quality education for all children aged 6-14.   The Sachar Committee Report highlighted the educational backwardness of Muslim communities, underscoring the need for inclusive policies.

What are the Major Challenges and Systemic Issues?

What should be the Way Forward?

1. Strengthen Federalism in Education: Implement School Complex Clusters (NEP 2020) with true autonomy. Empower State Education Regulatory Authorities (SERA) to oversee curriculum, funding, and teacher training. E.g. Germany’s Federal Education Council.

2. Stop Privatization: Cap private school fees (Like Kerala’s Fee Regulation Act). Double education budget (Current: 2.9% of GDP, vs. 6% NEP target).

3. Secular, Diverse Curriculum Reforms: Revise textbooks through multi-stakeholder bodies involving historians, educators, and constitutional experts. Use NCERT’s Textbook Review Panel to restore plural, fact-based content. E.g. Finland’s National Board of Education.

4. Revive Public Education with Accountability: Social audits in school governance. Public-private partnerships only with strong regulation, not laissez-faire privatization. E.g. CBI-led probe into NTA, NAAC scams.

5. Transparent EdTech & Coaching Regulation: Implement National EdTech Policy with focus on affordability, safety, and learning outcomes. Regulate coaching fee structures, working hours (especially for minors), and psychological safety.

6. Massive Investment in Teacher Training & Infrastructure: Implement NCTE’s National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST). Budget for education should rise to 6% of GDP, per Kothari Commission and NEP 2020.

7. Democratize Educational Governance: Strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions in education delivery. Community-led school monitoring (e.g., Lok Jumbish in Rajasthan) as a model for participatory accountability.

8. Global Best Practices

• Canada’s Public-School Model: No privatization, high equity.
• South Korea’s R&D Focus: 5% GDP on education + research.

Conclusion:

India’s vision of “Viksit Bharat by 2047” will collapse if its education system is captured by the 3Cs—Centralization, Commercialization, and Communalization. Education must be the “engine of equality, enlightenment, and empowerment”, not a tool of control, profit, or propaganda.

As Tagore warned, “The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.”