Pushes reforms to transform Jharkhand ‘From Mining to Minds’
PNS
RANCHI
Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday conducted a high-level review of the Higher and Technical Education Department, outlining an ambitious roadmap to modernise higher education and strengthen skill development across the state. Stressing that the department will play a pivotal role in transforming Jharkhand “from mining to minds”, the CM directed officials to accelerate reforms, improve access to quality education and align academic programmes with emerging global standards.
Reviewing the department’s progress during the 2025-26 financial year and the action plan for the current fiscal, Soren issued several key directives. He emphasised upgrading higher and technical education institutions, ensuring wider coverage of scholarship and student credit schemes, operationalising the Jharkhand University Service Commission within 15 days, and introducing industry-oriented courses in emerging technologies.
The Chief Minister directed officials to expand the reach of the Guruji Student Credit Card (GSCC) Scheme so that no deserving student is deprived of higher education due to financial constraints. Officials informed the meeting that approval has been granted for loans to 2,888 eligible students, while banks have already disbursed educational loans worth Rs 64 crore to 243 students under the scheme. Soren asked the department to coordinate with the Welfare Department and Civil Aviation Department to extend the scheme’s benefits, including to students enrolling at the Dumka Flying Institute.
He also instructed the department to ensure faster implementation of scholarship programmes, including the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship Scheme and the Manki Munda Scholarship Scheme, so that eligible students receive financial assistance without delay.
A major decision taken during the meeting was the in-principle approval for establishing Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in all state universities through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, aimed at strengthening digital examination infrastructure.
To improve the quality of higher education, Soren directed officials to operationalise the Jharkhand University Service Commission within the next 15 days. He also asked the department to prepare a roadmap for launching live online classes across state universities from the 2026-27 academic session. Officials informed him that a pilot project is ready to begin at Jharkhand Raksha Shakti University and Binod Bihari Mahto Koyalanchal University (BBMKU), Dhanbad.
In another significant move, the meeting approved the proposal to upgrade BIT Sindri into a Unitary University, with the department directed to prepare the necessary legislation. Soren also called for a comprehensive digital transformation plan for the institution.
To strengthen technical education across Jharkhand, officials presented a proposal to establish technical education clusters in nine districts—Palamu, Giridih, Ramgarh, Gumla, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Godda and Sahibganj. The Chief Minister asked the department to implement the plan at the earliest.
The Chief Minister also proposed establishing a Council for Institutes of Eminence to govern premier technical institutions on the lines of the IIT system, with dedicated governing councils, regional clusters and industry participation.
The meeting also approved the transfer of the Jharkhand Urban Planning and Management Institute (JUPMI) to the Higher and Technical Education Department. The institute is expected to offer professional programmes such as Bachelor of Planning, Master of Planning and MBA in Infrastructure Management.
Officials also informed the Chief Minister that the state has launched the Jharkhand Robotics Festival for the first time to encourage students in higher and technical institutions to develop skills in artificial intelligence and robotics. Soren directed the department to regularly evaluate such initiatives and ensure they effectively prepare students for future technologies.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar, Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Principal Secretary Rahul Kumar Purwar and senior departmental officials attended the review meeting.
