Patna: In a major move to strengthen higher education in the state, the Bihar Higher Education Department has shortlisted 54 colleges and institutions to be developed as Centres of Excellence under the Nitish Kumar Government’s flagship ‘Saat Nischay–3’ programme. The initiative aims to enhance academic standards, create subject-specific expert centres, and curb student outmigration to other states for higher education.
N.K. Agrawal, Director of Higher Education, stated, “Under Saat Nischay–3, the state’s prestigious colleges and institutions will be developed as Centres of Excellence. Each college will focus on becoming an expert centre in one subject, providing students in Bihar with better opportunities across multiple streams without leaving the state.”
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Phase-wise Development Plan
The development of these institutions will occur in two phases:
- Phase 1 (2026–27): The first phase targets 31 institutions, including leading colleges under Patna University, such as Patna Women’s College, Patna Science College, Patna College, Magadh Mahila College, and the College of Arts and Crafts. Development work for these colleges is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
- Phase 2 (2027–2030): The second phase will include additional colleges across districts like Nawada, Arwal, Jehanabad, Buxar, Kaimur, Siwan, Gopalganj, Araria, Kishanganj, and Vaishali. This phase aims to further expand the programme’s reach and ensure that more students benefit from improved higher education facilities.
Extensive Coverage Across Bihar
The programme encompasses institutions affiliated with major universities, including:
- Patliputra University
- Magadh University
- Lalit Narayan Mithila University
- Veer Kunwar Singh University
- B.N. Mandal University
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University
- Jai Prakash University
- Munger University
- Purnea University
- Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University
The initiative covers a wide geographical area, including districts such as Gaya, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Purnea, and West Champaran, ensuring equitable access to quality higher education across Bihar.
Academic Strengthening and Infrastructure Upgrade
Agrawal, who has recently been given additional charge as Executive Chairman of the Bihar Hindi Granth Academy, highlighted the department’s focus on academic review. “We are reviewing academic activities across all higher educational institutions in the state to strengthen them academically in the current context,” he said.
The plan also includes establishing degree colleges in blocks currently lacking such institutions. For the 2026–27 fiscal year, an outlay of Rs 320 crore has been earmarked to support this initiative.
Expected Benefits for Students and the State
The phased development of these Centres of Excellence is expected to:
- Improve academic infrastructure in higher education institutions
- Expand subject-specific expertise
- Provide students with better local opportunities, reducing the need to migrate for quality education
- Enhance the overall standard of higher education in Bihar
Additionally, the department is exploring the integration of the state’s linguistic academies to increase their effectiveness and strengthen regional academic resources.
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