Prof. Arun C. Mehta: A Legacy in Educational Planning

Prof. Arun C. Mehta, born on August 4, 1954, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is a distinguished educationist whose four-decade career has profoundly shaped India’s educational data landscape. With a Ph.D. in Demographic Projections from the University of Rajasthan, he served at the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi, where he pioneered the development of the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE). His visionary work elevated UDISE to official statistics status, establishing it as a global benchmark for Educational Management Information Systems (EMIS). He nurtured UDISE at NIEPA from 2002 to 2017.

Global Training and Contributions

Professor Mehta was trained at prestigious institutions such as UNESCO Bangkok and Harvard University, bringing cutting-edge expertise to India’s education sector. He presented research papers at renowned institutions, including Oxford and Cambridge Universities, earning international recognition for his insights on educational planning. At NIEPA, he championed the use of data in education planning and liberalized access to unit-level educational data, benefiting scholars, policymakers, and data users worldwide.

Awards and Recognition

Prof. Mehta’s contributions have been widely celebrated as a recipient of multiple regional and national awards. His extensive research on universal school education, his analyses of UDISE+ data since its inception, and insights on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 continue to guide educators and policymakers in achieving equitable education.

Publications and Resources

Prof. Mehta’s prolific contributions include books, articles, educational reports, and mission reports reviewing EMIS in several countries. Key publications include:

• The State of Muslim Education in India: An in-depth analysis of educational equity.
• Forty Years of Arun C. Mehta at NIEPA: A reflection on his transformative career.
• Mission Reports: Reviews of EMIS in various countries, showcasing global impact.
• E-books and Articles: Comprehensive resources on UDISE+, NEP 2020, and educational trends.
• Audio and Video Content: Documentaries and multimedia resources highlighting his work.