Haryana’s government colleges are battling a severe shortage of teachers and poor infrastructure, limiting education quality. In Bhainswal village, a college runs from just four rooms in a school building, with 81 students but no History teacher, although all students chose History. Principal Suraj Prakash Yadav teaches the subject himself after his letters went unanswered. Across Haryana, only 169 teachers occupy 358 sanctioned posts. The state estimates it needs 445 posts but faces staffing gaps nationwide. Many new colleges run within school premises before moving to their own buildings, delaying essential facilities like libraries, labs, and playgrounds. This affects student admissions and extracurricular activities. Mr. Yadav shares that a college saw admissions jump from 30 to 160 students after shifting to a proper campus. Government-aided colleges also face massive staff shortages. Nearly 50% of posts, including principals, are vacant, forcing institutions to hire staff with little government support. The government’s education budget dropped from 14.77% in 2013-14 to 10.39% in 2024-25, deepening the crisis. Despite new colleges opening, parents are reluctant to send daughters far away, so local options are vital. Government colleges charge much lower fees, making education more accessible for girls who might otherwise pause or quit studies. Advocate Aman Dahiya calls Haryana’s higher education system “collapsed” and warns that poor quality and infrastructure push families toward private colleges or even away from education altogether. The government aims for colleges within 20 km of homes to increase female enrollment from 32% to 50% by 2030, but teacher shortages and infrastructure delays remain major hurdles.