The policy of privatization of higher education began during

The push to open higher education to private participation took shape in the Eighth Five Year Plan, which coincided with the economic liberalisation of the early 1990s.

The First Five Year Plan focused on rebuilding and expanding basic educational infrastructure, not on privatisation.

The Third Five Year Plan stressed technical and scientific manpower within a largely state-funded system.

The Sixth Five Year Plan continued the emphasis on public provision and expansion of access.

Liberalisation after 1991 reduced state capacity to fund expansion, opening space for self-financing and private colleges.

This period saw rapid growth of privately managed engineering, management and professional institutions.