The state of Himachal Pradesh has one of the best literacy rates in the country. According to Census 2011, the literacy rate in HP is 83.78%. It is 90.83% for the male population and 76.60% for the female population.
With an effort to strengthen the education system in Himachal Pradesh, the government has decided to introduce CAT or Career Aptitude Test as well as Career Counseling Test for students belonging to Class XII. This was announced by the Chief Minister while addressing a gathering at “Pratibha Samman Samaroh 2011″ in Shimla towards July end.
The Chief Minister also declared that educational institutes and their principals would be rewarded if the institute is able to obtain 100% result in academics.
Scholarships amounting to rupees 17.02 crores and rupees 1,07,770 cr. is being disbursed as scholarship for students in the state per year.
Higher education in Himachal Pradesh is all set to undergo modernization. Currently, the percentage of students opting for higher education in the state is 18%. Efforts are being put to take the figure to 50%.
The government had undertaken this project way back in the year 2010. It was decided that effective measures would be taken in the following sectors- expand infrastructure for engineering and medical courses in the state.
Also PPP or Public Private Partnership ventures would also be encouraged for bettering the scenario of education in the state.
The state has also made commendable progress in allowing students belonging to Scheduled Caste, Schedules Tribe, and Other Backward Castes categories access education better.
Education in Himachal Pradesh is administered by the Department of Education at all levels.
Education system in Himachal Pradesh
Education tiers in Himachal Pradesh comprise primary schools, secondary and high schools. Himachal Pradesh is India’s first state where every child has to avail elementary education in the state.
There are 1000 secondary schools, 10,000 primary schools, and as many as 1300 high schools. There are many professional education institutes too. The state has 5 universities, 6 engineering colleges, 2 medical colleges, 23 colleges offering curricula in Arts and Science, 6 polytechnic colleges, and 3 Teacher Training institutes. The state also has 4 dental colleges.
Primary education in the state
During the period 1998 to 2003, the state government constructed as many as 13,672 concrete rooms that were later converted into class rooms for facilitating education.
The Directorate of Primary Education in Himachal Pradesh looks into matters related to elementary education, placement issues, various education programs, adult education among few other responsibilities that it undertakes.
Himachal Pradesh has schools that are affiliated to both the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education and Central Board of Secondary Education.
List of popular Schools in Himachal Pradesh
- Kendriya Vidyalaya in Shimla
- Mra Dav Senior Secondary Public School
- Bhartiya public school in chamba
- Dav public school
- Dr. Radha krishnan vidya niketan public school in sangrah
- Thomson public school
- Smt. Indira gandhi memorial public school
- Ibdav public school
- Gurukul public school
- B d dayanand anglo vedic public school
- Kangra valley public school
- Gav public school
- B l central public school
- Minerva senior secondary public school
- Blue star public school
- Noorpur public school
- Shbm jain public school
- Dav – dayanand anglo vadic public school
- Aadhunik public school
- Dav public school
- Gsss sunhani
- Bvn middle school in sangrah
- Govt.senior secondary school in chowari
- Govt.high school samot
- Govt.senior secondary school in sihunta
- Govt.senior secondary school in kakira
- Ghs jandour
- Adarsh vidya niketan high school in bogdhar
- Govt.senior secondary school in tundi
- Gsss katrain
- Roots country school
- Govt. Primary school in khanoda
- Middle school in kiara bagh
- Kotla-kallar
- Gms chillian
- Government high school in badehar
- G.s.s.s kinnu
- Government senior secondary school in channgo
- Sacred heart high school in sidhpur
- Govt.senior secondary school
- Govt. Middle school in dungi
- Rashtriya Military in School
- Regal Public School in Shimla
- I.T.B.P. Public School in Shimla
- Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Shimla
- Auckland House School in Shimla
- Bishop Cotton School in Shimla
- Brahmrishi Mission School in Kullu
- Dav Public School in Kullu
- Army Public School in Solan
- Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Solan
- Sarvhitkari Shiksha Niketan in Solan
The table below provides names of few schools in Himachal Pradesh with Location.
Schools in Himachal Pradesh
| Name of school | Location | Affiliating Board |
|---|---|---|
| Kendriya Vidyalaya | Subathu | CBSE |
| Kendriya Vidyalaya | Nadaun | CBSE |
| Kendriya Vidyalaya | Jutogh Cantonment | CBSE |
| Sacred Heart High School | Chamba | ICSE |
| Bishop Cotton School | Shimla | ICSE |
| Himalayan International School | Shimla | ICSE |
Graduation and PG level and courses
Himachal Pradesh has a number of colleges that offer academic courses at the undergraduate as well as graduate level. Find out names of few colleges, courses offered and the eligibility criteria.
- Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar in Palampur Kangra, HP.
- Courses offered include Master in Agriculture and M.Sc in Biotechnlogy
- Admission Criteria- College entrance test
- G B Pant Memorial Government College in Shimla
- Courses offered- BA, B.Com, and B.Sc
- GGD Sanatan Dharm College in Rajpur
- Courses offered – BA, B.SC, and B.Com
- Government College in Dharamshala
- Courses offered- BA, B.Com, MA in English and Hindi, and M.Sc in Geology
Himachal Pradesh has 5 universities and the names of these universities are listed below.
- Dr Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry located in District Nauni, Solan
- National Institute of Technology in Hamirpur
- Himachal Pradesh University in Summer Hills Shimla
- Jaypee University of Information Technology in Solan
- Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya in PalampurList of Colleges in Himachal Pradesh
The list of colleges in the state are enlisted below categorically:
Engineering Institutes
- Green Hills Engineering College (Approved by AICTE)
Vpo-Baholi, Gandhi Gram, Kumar Hatti, Solan, Himachal Pradesh-173229 - Himalayan Institute of Engineering and Technology: (Approved by (AICTE)
It is affiliated to H.P. University
Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh - IITT College Of Engineering & Technology: (Approved by AICTE)
Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh-173030 - National Institute Of Technology: (Approved by AICTE)
Rec), Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh-177005 - University Institute of Information Technology: (Approved by AICTE)
Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla Himachal Pradesh-171005
Medical Colleges
- A.Dr. Rajendar Prasad Government Medical College: (Affiliated to Himachal Pradesh University)
Kangra, Tanda – 176001 - B.Indira Gandhi Medical College: (Affiliated to Himachal Pradesh University)
Shimla – 171001
Management Institutes
- Himalayan Institute of Management
Affiliated to H.P.U. Shimla - Department of Management Studies
Summer Hills, Shimla Himachal Pradesh - Institute Of Engineering & Emerging Technologies
Makhnumajra, Baddi-173205,Dist. Solan (H.P.) - Institute of Management Studies, Himachal Pradesh University
Shimla-171005 (H.P.)
Computer and IT colleges
- Centre for Computer Education & Software Development
79\9,Ayushmaan Bhawan Post Office Road Mandi 175001 - Himalayan Institute of Computer Sciences (Affiliated to H.P.U. Shimla)
Kala-Amb, Himachal Pradesh - Department of Computer Science Himachal Pradesh University
Summer Hills Shimla – 171 005 Himachal Pradesh - Electronics Test and Development Centre STQC Directorate Deptt. Of Electronics
Chambaghat Solan 173213 - National Institute Of Computer Courses
Near Govt. Degree College Anu Chowk Hamirpur 177005
Law Colleges
- Faculty of Law, Himachal Pradesh University (BCI Approved)
(Affiliated to Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla)
Summer Hill, Shimla 171005 - School of Legal Studies, Regional Centre (BCI Approved)
(Affiliated to Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla)
H.P.University, Dharmsala - School of Legal Studies (BCI Approved)
(Affiliated to Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla)
H. P. Univ., Manse, Shimla – 1 - Himachal Pradesh College of Law (BCI Approved)
(Affiliated to Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla)
Kalal Amb, Sirmour - L. R. Institute of Legal Studies (BCI Approved)
(Affiliated to Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla)
Solan
Mass Communication and Media Colleges
- Department of Journalism & Mass Communication,
Himachal Pradesh University
Summer Hill, Shimla 171005 - M.S. Panwar Institute of Communication and Management
Near Gas Godown, Rajgarh Road
Shamti, Solan, Himachal Pradesh- 173212
Architecture Colleges
- Faculty of Architecture National Institute of Technology (AICTE Approved)
(Affiliated to NIT (Deemed University)
Hamirpur-177 005 (Himachal Pradesh)
Pharmacy Colleges
- Himalayan Institute of Pharmacy
Affiliated to H.P. University
Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh - Govt. Polytechnic for Women (PCI Approved)
Kandaghat – 173 215 (Distt. Solan)
Nursing Colleges
- A.Himalayan School of Nursing (GNM)
Affiliated to HPU Shimla
Kala-Amb (Himachal Pradesh) - Indus College of Nursing
Shimla 171002 (Himachal Pradesh)
Ayurvedic Colleges
- Himachal Govt. Institute of Post-graduate Education and Research in Ayurved
(Affiliated to Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla) Paprola -176115, (Himachal Pradesh) - Rajiv Gandhi Rajkiya Government Ayurvedic Post Graduate College
(Affiliated to Himachal Pradesh)
Paprola, Kangra, Paprola 176 115
Veterinary Colleges
- College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (VCI Approved)
CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishva Vidyalaya
Palampur. Himachal Pradesh
Hotel Management Colleges
- Institute of Hotel Management
Kufri, Shimla – 171012 - Food Craft Institute
Kufri, Shimla 171019
Dental Colleges
- Bhojia Dental College & Hospital
Chandigarh – Nalagarh Road, Budh, (Baddi) Teh. Nalagarh (H.P.) - H.P. Govt. Dental College & Hospital
Shimla – 171 001 (Himachal Pradesh) - Himachal Dental College
Sunder Nagar, Distt. Mandi, (HimachalPradesh) - Himachal Institute of Dental Sciences
Paonta Sahib, Distt. Sirmour (H.P.) - MNDAV Dental College & Hospital
Tatul, P.O. Oachghat-173223 (H.P.)
Professional options in Himachal Pradesh
Ranging from engineering academic programs to management institutes, Himachal Pradesh has a number of professional courses to offer to its students and also the ones who come from other states to pursue a career in these fields.
The table below highlights the various professional courses that a student can opt for.
Colleges in Himachal Pradesh
Type of Colleges Name of colleges Courses offered Admission Criteria Engineering Himalayan Institute of Engineering and Technology/National Institute of Technology/University Institute of Information Technology B.Tech/M.E,M.Tech/B.E, B.Tech Himachal Pradesh Combined Pre-Entrance Test Medical Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College/Indira Gandhi Medical College MBBS Himachal Pradesh Combined Pre-Medical Entrance Test Architecture Faculty of Architecture National Institute of Technology B.Arch Himachal Pradesh Combined Pre-Entrance Test/All India Engineering Entrance Examination Law School of Legal Studies/Himachal Pradesh College of Law/LR Institute of Legal Studies LLB -3 years/BALLB-5 years, LLB-3 years/LLB Common Law Admission Test Management Himalayan Institute of Management/Institute of Management Studies MBA MAT or Himachal Pradesh Combined Management Aptitude Test Education for non resident students
Himachal Pradesh University has certain reservations for non-resident students and also for students belonging to SC/ST/OBC, or disabled. There is a reservation of 5% for outstanding sportsperson (both male and female), 5% seats are reserved for students who have excelled in cultural activities, 3% for students who are handicapped. In most of the colleges 25% of seats are reserved for students belonging to Himachal Pradesh.
Education for Foreign students
Himachal Pradesh enrolls foreign students into its various academic programs. Students from other states are also eligible to seek admission into the various courses offered by the university.
Hostels and accommodation
Students can arrange for their accommodation in the college hostels. Alternatively, there are private hostels in Himachal Pradesh and the names of few hostels are listed below-
-Shimla Youth Hostel in Lakar Bazar Shimla
-Dhauladhar Boys Hostel
-Kailash Boys Hostel
-Shivalik Boys Hostel
-Manimahesh Hostel
-Spring View Guesthouse