OREANDA-NEWS. One of the areas of focus of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) is enhancing access to higher education in unserved or underserved areas by setting up new institutions, and improving infrastructure and facilities in existing institutions. However, specific locations of these institutions are identified by the State Government based on their need assessment and requirements.

As on 1st December 2014, 50 Model Degree Colleges (07 in Andhra Pradesh, 08 in Odisha, 26 in Uttar Pradesh, 02 in Himachal Pradesh, 02 in Punjab, 01 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 03 in Tripura and 01 in Nagaland); 08 new Professional Colleges (01 in Himachal Pradesh, 02 in Punjab, 02 in Jammu & Kashmir, 02 in Gujarat and 01 in Manipur); and 04 new universities through clustering of eligible colleges (2 in Jammu & Kashmir, 01 in Himachal Pradesh and 01 in Manipur) have been approved under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA).