The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs estimates that COVID-19 may cause the global economy to reduce in size by nearly 1% by the end of 2020, while the International Labour Organization projects an increase in worldwide unemployment of between 5.3 million and 24.7 million, and the World Trade Organization  projects a 13% to 32% global trade decline this year. Indian Economy which was already very fragile with falling GDP numbers and financial sector crises before the virus, has come to a standstill with the lockdown. The pandemic has proven challenging for both students and educators, who have to deal with the emotional, physical and economic difficulties posed by the ill health while doing their part to help control the spread of the virus.  An economic recession could impact higher education institutions in many ways, including a reduction in employment opportunities, possible delays in students paying fees or an inability to pay tuition, the inability of governments to meet commitments to publically funded institutions to the level desired, and the changes in student behavior towards the mode and preference of particular degree programs. Covid-19 has forced universities across India, and the world indeed, to suspend physical classrooms and shift to online classes. There have also been debates on the nature of classes and the future of examination and evaluation -whether they could be conducted online or not. Higher education institutions require high-speed internet and education delivery platforms or learning management systems, besides stable IT infrastructure and faculty members who are comfortable teaching online. Students also need high-speed internet and computers/mobiles to attend these sessions or watch pre-recorded classes. I have tried in this article to show an overview of the challenges of higher education in India during the year 2020.

Keywords: Pandemic, Recession, Covid-19, Higher Education.