Education in Himachal Pradesh

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Education in Himachal Pradesh

Ministry of Education
Minister of Education	Rohit Thakur
National education budget
Budget	18.9% of GDP ($ $101 million)
General details
Primary languages	English,Hindi
Established Compulsory education	1 April 1998
Literacy (2011)
Total	82.80%
Male	89.53%
Female	75.93%
Enrollment (2021)
Total	99.1%
Primary	100%
Secondary	94.1%
Post secondary	94.1%

Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry has gained a unique distinction not only in the nation but also in whole of Asia for imparting teaching, research and extension education in horticulture, forestry and allied disciplines. All india institute of medical sciences is established in bilaspur district in hp Indra Gandhi medical College shimla is one is most premium institute in medical sciences in North India

The government is working constantly to prepare various plans to strengthen the education system of Himachal. The state government has decided to start up with 3 major nursing colleges to develop the health system in the state.^[1]

Himachal has one of the highest literacy rates in India. Hamirpur District is among the top districts in the country for literacy. Education rates among women are quite encouraging in the state.
Himachal Pradesh is home to many educational institutions offering a wide variety of courses. There are five universities, eight medical colleges, five dental colleges and two engineering colleges in the state. There are over 10,000 primary schools, 1,000 secondary schools and more than 1,300 high schools in Himachal.^[2] Hindi and English are compulsory languages in schools whereas Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu are chosen as optional languages.^[3]

In meeting the constitutional obligation to make primary education compulsory, Himachal has now become the first state in India to make elementary education accessible to every child in the state.^[4] Himachal Pradesh government is also very keen to transform this state into an education hub. In March 2008, Government of India made an announcement stating that as part of the 11th five-year plan, an Indian Institute of Technology will be established in this state. Further, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Engineering and Technology Institute has been started at Pragatinagar, in Shimla district. This college will have engineering related courses such as ITI, Diploma and Degree all in same campus.

The history of education in Himachal Pradesh, a northern state in India, is marked by a gradual evolution and development over the centuries. The educational landscape has been shaped by historical, cultural, and geographical factors. Here is an overview of the history of education in Himachal Pradesh

In ancient Himachal Pradesh, education thrived through the Gurukul system, where students resided with their gurus, receiving comprehensive education across various disciplines. However, the challenging hilly terrain and remote locations posed impediments to establishing formal educational institutions during this era.

The medieval period witnessed the influence of Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples as pivotal educational centers in Himachal Pradesh. Notably, religious hubs like Rewalsar, associated with Guru Padmasambhava's meditation, became significant centers of learning, contributing to the educational landscape.

With the advent of the colonial era, Western-style education was introduced, leaving an indelible mark on Himachal Pradesh. Missionary schools were pioneers in providing modern education, while the British establishment of schools and colleges in major towns aimed to disseminate education widely across the region.

Following India's independence in 1947, concerted efforts were made to enhance and expand the education system in Himachal Pradesh. The state government took proactive measures, establishing schools and colleges, especially in rural and remote areas, to ensure accessibility to education for all segments of the population.

A significant milestone in the state's educational history was the establishment of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in 1970, headquartered in Shimla. HPU quickly evolved into a major hub for higher education, contributing significantly to the academic landscape of the state.

In a bid to promote primary education and narrow the literacy gap, the state government initiated various schemes and programs. These efforts were directed towards enhancing the quality of primary education, ensuring a strong foundational base for learners.

Recent decades have seen a notable emphasis on technical and vocational education in response to evolving job market demands. Himachal Pradesh has witnessed the establishment of technical institutes and polytechnics, aligning education with the changing needs of industries and fostering practical skills among students.

• Solan Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Kumarhatti, Solan district
• Career Point University, Hamirpur
• Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur
• Alakh Prakash Goyal University
• Indian Institute of Information Technology Una
• Himachal Pradesh National Law University
• Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry
• Green Hills Engineering College
• Himachal Pradesh University
• IITT college of Engineering
• Indian Institute of Advanced Study
• Baddi University of Emerging Sciences and Technology
• Maharaja Agrasen University, Himachal Pradesh
• National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur
• Jaypee University of Information Technology
• Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh
• University Institute of Information Technology (UIIT)

The state of Himachal Pradesh is a late starter in establishing engineering institutes as compared to other states of India. National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur (then Regional Engineering College, Hamirpur) was the first institute established in 1986. IITT college of Engineering, Kala Amb was the second institute established in the 20th century. The remaining institutes were established in the 21st century. A Government engineering school namely, Jawaharlal Nehru Government Engineering College in Sundernagar, was established by state govt in 2006. Needless to say that none of these institutions have achieved academic maturity as yet. Though some institutions (notably National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur) are striving hard to be centers of excellence, however the results are not encouraging. People of Himachal Pradesh nurture a desire to make this state a Switzerland of India because both share similar topography, however Himachal Pradesh lacks Swiss industrial prowess at present. It is hoped that manpower trained at these institutions shall support the industries in the region and some budding entrepreneurs will emerge to transform the industrial landscape of the state.

Himachal Pradesh is home to several non-governmental organisations (NGO) operating educational institutes in the state.

• Deer Park Institute offers educational courses and seminars in classical Indian wisdom traditions.^[5]
• TQM World Institution of Quality Excellence (TQM-WIQE), It provides training & consulting for the Quality and Productivity Improvement of MSMEs and MNCs.Also provide training for Schools, Educational Institutions and Universities.
• Dharmalaya Institute provides education and vocational training in vernacular earthen architecture in the traditional Kangra style, as well as service-learning courses in sustainable living and immersive ecotourism programs.^[6]
• NISHTHA is a charitable trust working for the benefit and development of society as a whole by improving the welfare of families with particular focus on women and children, through activities in the fields of health, education and environment.^[7]
• Shantideva Homeopathic Research Institute (SHRI) runs educational programs to increase awareness of healthy lifestyles, offering free clinics and seminars for the rural population of Himachal Pradesh.

Dr Puran Chand Medical Charitable Trust (Regd) runs a number of Institutions in the State – Himachal Dental College, Sundernagar (District Mandi), Himachal Institute of Dental Sciences, Himachal Institute of Technology, Himachal Institute of Nursing, Himachal Institute of Life Sciences, and Himachal Institute of Pharmacy all at Paonta Sahib (District Sirmaur)

• List of educational institutions in Himachal Pradesh