Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has called on all state departments to adopt best practices and innovations aimed at improving the quality, transparency and accountability of government services, a government release said on Monday.
Focus on institutional excellence, research and digital adoption
During a review, presentations were made before the Chief Minister by the Higher Education Department, Technical Education Department and Public Works Department that highlighted achievements and replicable practices. The presentations emphasised institutional excellence, research and innovation, the effective use of digital technology, citizen participation and performance-based incentives, according to the release.
The Higher Education Department outlined a programme to develop one college in every district as a "Model Sanskriti College" to convert selected government colleges into institutions of excellence. The department has identified 23 government colleges across the state for this purpose, with a target to bring them up to the desired level by 2029, Additional Chief Secretary (Higher Education) AK Singh said, the release added.
What the Model Sanskriti College plan entails
- Promotion of student-centric education and curricula aligned with the National Education Policy-2020.
- Adoption of digital and blended learning methods, including virtual labs and e-resources.
- Industry collaboration through internships, apprenticeships and expert lectures.
- Setting up incubation centres and partnerships with national and international institutions.
The release said these measures are intended to strengthen the academic and research environment in government colleges and increase employability through closer links with industry.
State Research Fund to promote institutional research
Haryana has also established a Haryana State Research Fund to promote research and innovation in the state. The release noted that Haryana is the first state in the country to establish such a fund and that the initiative has drawn appreciation from NITI Aayog.
The fund has been allotted ₹20 crore for the 2025-26 fiscal year, and financial assistance has already been provided to institutions engaged in research activities, the release said. In the previous year, the department received over 350 applications from higher education institutions seeking assistance; of these, 90 projects were approved. Key research areas include agriculture and rural development, industrial innovation and entrepreneurship, and science and technology.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Model colleges identified | 23 government colleges |
| Target year for excellence | 2029 |
| Research fund allocation | ₹20 crore (2025-26) |
| Applications received (last year) | More than 350 |
| Projects approved | 90 |
Administration seeks performance-based incentives and citizen participation
The presentations to the Chief Minister stressed improving citizen-facing services through greater transparency and accountability, and suggested performance-based incentive mechanisms to drive better outcomes. The Technical Education and Public Works departments showcased innovations they said could be scaled across other wings of state government.
State officials said the Model Sanskriti College initiative will emphasise employability and practical training alongside academic reforms. The release mentioned plans for enhanced digital resources and industry engagement but did not provide a detailed funding breakdown for the college upgrades.
Officials characterised the research fund as a strategic step to catalyse institutional research capacity in the state and to encourage projects aligned with Haryana’s economic and developmental priorities. The focus areas named in the release reflect local priorities such as agriculture and industrial innovation.
By highlighting replicable administrative practices and channelising funds toward research, the state government intends to create a template for improved service delivery and enhanced higher-education outcomes across Haryana.
