International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Thematic Analysis of Physical Education in Higher Education Institutions in India

Physical education plays a vital role in higher education by promoting professional competencies, health and well-being, sports performance, and the preparation of skilled human resources for the sports and fitness area. In India, the field has undertaken significant transformation due to the integration of sports sciences, technological advancements, and recent educational reforms. Although these developments have occurred, challenges remain regarding curriculum relevance, infrastructure, faculty competence, research productivity, and graduate employability. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of physical education in Indian higher education institutions is essential to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. This review critically examines the status of physical education in Indian higher education, focusing on five key dimensions: curriculum, faculty skills, infrastructure and laboratory facilities, research and innovation, and student employability. It also explores the implications of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and emerging trends such as multidisciplinary education, sports analytics, digital technologies, and field-academic collaboration. The analysis reveals huge growth in physical education and sports science programs. To address these issues, the research proposes a comprehensive evaluation framework to support evidence-based decision-making and quality enhancement. The findings emphasize the need for curriculum reforms, faculty development, infrastructure improvements, and stronger research to meet the demands of the developing field.