Himachal Pradesh was under the direct control of the British colonial rule in the mid 19th century. Also, the state was the summer capital of India during the British colonial rule. Hence, the standard of education provided in the state has reached to a considerably high level. The state has several highly reputed educational institutions for higher studies. The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur and NIT Hamirpur are some of the pioneer institutions located in the state. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has allocated Rs 45 million to Himachal Pradesh University in the 10th plan which is an increase of nearly 70% over the ninth one. Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry has gained a unique distinction not only in the nation but also in whole of Asia for imparting teaching, research and extension education in horticulture, forestry and allied disciplines. All india institute of medical sciences is established in bilaspur district in hp Indra Gandhi medical College shimla is one is most premium institute in medical sciences in North India
The government is working constantly to prepare various plans to strengthen the education system of Himachal. The state government has decided to start up with 3 major nursing colleges to develop the health system in the state.
Himachal has one of the highest literacy rates in India. Hamirpur District is among the top districts in the country for literacy. Education rates among women are quite encouraging in the state. Himachal Pradesh is home to many educational institutions offering a wide variety of courses. There are five universities, eight medical colleges, five dental colleges and two engineering colleges in the state. There are over 10,000 primary schools, 1,000 secondary schools and more than 1,300 high schools in Himachal. Hindi and English are compulsory languages in schools whereas Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu are chosen as optional languages.
In meeting the constitutional obligation to make primary education compulsory, Himachal has now become the first state in India to make elementary education accessible to every child in the state. Himachal Pradesh government is also very keen to transform this state into an education hub. In March 2008, Government of India made an announcement stating that as part of the 11th five-year plan, an Indian Institute of Technology will be established in this state. Further, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Engineering and Technology Institute has been started at Pragatinagar, in Shimla district. This college will have engineering related courses such as ITI, Diploma and Degree all in same campus.
Educational Institutes
Solan Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Kumarhatti, Solan district
Career Point University, Hamirpur
Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur
Alakh Prakash Goyal University
Indian Institute of Information Technology Una
Himachal Pradesh National Law University
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry
Green Hills Engineering College
Himachal Pradesh University
IITT college of Engineering
Indian Institute of Advanced Study
Baddi University of Emerging Sciences and Technology
Maharaja Agrasen University, Himachal Pradesh
National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur
Jaypee University of Information Technology
Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh
University Institute of Information Technology (UIIT)