The policy of privatisation of higher education began with the introduction of:

The policy of privatisation of higher education took off with the Eighth Five Year Plan of 1992-97, amid economic liberalisation.

The Fourth Five Year Plan predates the liberalisation-era shift towards private participation.

The Sixth Five Year Plan also came before this privatisation thrust.

The Tenth Five Year Plan followed later and was not the starting point.

Post-1991 reforms opened space for self-financing colleges and private universities.

Private participation later expanded sharply in professional and technical education.