[UPPSC-UP Special Syllabus Decoded] State Education System of Uttar Pradesh

1. Structure and Governance of Education in UP

Trend: Shift from “Static Structure” to “NEP 2020 Implementation” and “Administrative Consolidation.”

A. Primary & Secondary Education Structure

• Basic Shiksha Parishad: Controls primary (Classes 1-5) and upper primary (Classes 6-8) schools.
• Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UP Board):
  • Significance: The world’s largest examination body.
  • Reform: Introduction of the NCERT curriculum and semester system (planned) to align with national standards.
• Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV): Residential schools for girls from marginalized communities; upgrading them to Class 12.

B. Higher Education Structure

• State Universities: Traditional universities (Lucknow, Allahabad – Central) vs. New specialized universities.
• Private & Technical Universities: Role of AKTU (Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University) in regulating engineering education.
• Administrative Reform:
  • UP Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC):
  • Mandate: A single integrated commission formed in 2023-24 to recruit teachers for Basic, Secondary, and Higher education, replacing separate commissions to reduce delays and litigation.

C. New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in UP

• Implementation Status:
  • Common Minimum Syllabus: Adopted by state universities.
  • Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat): Portal registration for students.
  • ABC ID: Academic Bank of Credits implementation for student mobility.

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• Digital Attendance: In July 2024, the Basic Education Department mandated Face Recognition Attendance for teachers to curb absenteeism, triggering massive protests but signaling a firm governance shift.
• School Consolidation: A policy initiated in late 2024 to merge primary schools with less than 50 students into nearby schools to optimize resource utilization.

2. Primary Education Schemes & Quality Interventions

Trend: Focus on “Infrastructure (Kayakalp)” and “Learning Outcomes (NIPUN).”

A. Operation Kayakalp

• Objective: Transforming the infrastructure of 1.3 Lakh+ council schools.
• 19 Parameters: Ensuring tiles, toilets, tap water, smart classes, and boundary walls.
• Convergence: Using funds from Panchayati Raj and DM Minerals Fund.

B. NIPUN Bharat Mission (Uttar Pradesh)

• Goal: Ensuring every child attains foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) by Class 3.
• NIPUN Lakshya App: A tool for teachers to assess student competency in real-time.
• Diet Mentors: Creation of “Academic Resource Persons” (ARPs) to mentor teachers.

C. School Chalo Abhiyan (2.0/3.0)

• Focus: 100% enrollment in primary schools, specifically targeting “out-of-school” children in districts like Shravasti and Bahraich (lowest literacy).

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• PM SHRI Schools: In 2024-25, UP selected 1,753 schools to be upgraded as “PM SHRI” schools, acting as model institutes for NEP implementation with central funding.
• PARAKH Survey: The 2024 national survey results highlighted gaps in “Critical Thinking” among UP students, prompting a revision in the State Curriculum Framework (SCF) in 2025.

3. Higher & Technical Education: Expansion & Excellence

Trend: “One District One Medical College” and “Private Investments.”

A. New Universities (The Expansion Drive)

• Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh State University (Aligarh): Focusing on defense studies.
• Major Dhyan Chand Sports University (Meerut): First dedicated sports university.
• Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University (Gorakhpur): Promoting traditional medicine education.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University (Prayagraj): Strengthening legal education.

B. Technical & Vocational Education

• Skill Development:
  • UP Skill Development Mission (UPSDM): Integration with ODOP (One District One Product) to train youth in local crafts (e.g., Carpet weaving in Bhadohi).
  • Project Praveen: Skilling Class 9-12 students in government schools during school hours.
• Tata Technologies Partnership: Upgrading 150 ITIs into “Centres of Excellence” (Industry 4.0 ready).

C. Challenges in Higher Education

• Faculty Crunch: High vacancies in state universities (addressed via the new Commission).
• GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio): UP’s GER (approx. 25%) is lower than the national average; target to reach 50% by 2035.

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• UP Higher Education Incentive Policy 2024: A landmark policy offering stamp duty waivers and capital subsidies to private players setting up universities in “Unserved Districts” (where no university exists).
• Foreign University Campuses: Discussions initiated in 2025 for inviting foreign universities to set up campuses in the Noida Education Hub.

4. Issues and Challenges in the Education System

Trend: Critical analysis of “Quality vs. Quantity” and “Digital Divide.”

A. The “Quality” Crisis

• Learning Poverty: ASER reports consistently show Class 5 students unable to read Class 2 text in rural UP.
• Teacher-Pupil Ratio (TPR): While officially improved, urban-rural disparity remains (surplus in cities, deficit in villages).

B. The “Digital Divide”

• Access: Lack of devices/internet in remote areas (Sonbhadra, Chitrakoot) hindering online education initiatives (e-Vidya).
• Smart Classes: Operation Kayakalp has installed smart TVs, but electricity and internet connectivity remain inconsistent.

C. Examination Integrity

• Copying Mafia: Historical notoriety of the UP Board exams.
• Reforms:
  • Voice-Recorder CCTVs: Mandatory in all exam centers.
  • STF Monitoring: Involvement of Special Task Force to break the “Solver Gang” nexus.

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• Fake Teacher Scam: In 2024, the “Manav Sampada” digitization exposed massive irregularities, leading to the dismissal of teachers with fake degrees.
• Tab Distribution: Under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana, the government distributed millions of smartphones/tablets in 2024-25 to final-year students to bridge the digital gap.