PRAYAGRAJ, May 13 -- Uttar Pradesh is set to significantly strengthen its higher education infrastructure with the introduction of 29 new government degree colleges from the upcoming academic session starting July 1, officials said on Tuesday.

The initiative is aimed at improving access to higher education and strengthening the state's academic network.

Of the 29 colleges, 20 are being set up under the Prime Minister Jan Vikas Programme (PMJVK). The Directorate of Higher Education has already sent a proposal to the state government for the creation of the required teaching and non-teaching posts for these institutions, officials added.

Initially, the government had considered running these colleges as government institutions, affiliate...