Ranchi: Chairing a high-level meeting, chief minister Hemant Soren on Monday directed the higher and technical education department to accelerate key reforms aimed at transforming Jharkhand into a knowledge-driven state, directing officials to make the Jharkhand University Service Commission and the Coaching Regulatory Authority functional within 15 days.He also instructed the department to prepare a roadmap for introducing live online classes in universities from the 2026-27 academic session, with pilot projects set to begin at Jharkhand Raksha Shakti University and BBMK University, Dhanbad.The CM reviewed the progress of the Guruji Student Credit Card (GSCC) Scheme, under which approval has been accorded for loans to 2,888 eligible students. Officials informed him that 243 students have so far received education loans worth Rs 64 crore through banks, backed by a state govt guarantee. Soren directed officials to coordinate with the welfare department to ensure wider coverage so that no student is deprived of higher education due to financial constraints.In another key decision, the govt agreed in principle to upgrade BIT Sindri into a university, with the department asked to prepare the required legislation and complete formalities at the earliest.The CM also approved plans to develop technical education clusters in nine districts — Palamu, Giridih, Ramgarh, Gumla, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Godda and Sahibganj. He stressed the need to align technical education with industry demand by introducing courses in emerging technologies, textile design and manufacturing, logistics and shipping, electric vehicles and semiconductor manufacturing.Soren further directed the department to identify alternative financing sources for higher education within three months and said strengthening higher and technical education was crucial for taking Jharkhand “from mining to mind.”
