Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025

Recently, the Union Government introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, aimed at overhauling India’s higher education regulatory framework and empowering Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to achieve global standards of excellence.

Key Provisions of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill (VBSA), 2025

The Bill comprehensively restructures India’s higher education regulatory framework around principles of unified governance, standardisation, transparency, and institutional autonomy:

• Repeal of Existing Regulatory Laws: Provides for the repeal of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Act, 1987, and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Act, 1993, dismantling the fragmented regulatory regime.
• Constitution of Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA): Establishes the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan as a single umbrella statutory commission to regulate higher education, subsuming the functions of UGC, AICTE, and NCTE.
• Appointment and Composition: The President of India shall appoint the Chairperson and Members (not exceeding 12) of the Adhishthan, excluding ex officio members and the Member Secretary, ensuring constitutional oversight.
• Comprehensive Institutional Coverage: All HEIs currently under the purview of the Ministry of Education, UGC, AICTE, and NCTE shall fall within the standard-setting jurisdiction of VBSA.
• Three-Tier Council Structure: Creates three specialised councils under VBSA:
  • Viksit Bharat Shiksha Viniyaman Parishad: Regulatory and enforcement functions.
  • Viksit Bharat Shiksha Gunvatta Parishad: Independent accreditation and quality assurance.
  • Viksit Bharat Shiksha Manak Parishad: Specification of minimum academic and institutional standards.
• Professional Standard-Setting Bodies: The Council of Architecture (CoA), established under the Architects Act, 1972, shall continue as a Professional Standard-Setting Body (PSSB) in line with NEP 2020.
• Funding Exclusion Clause: The Bill explicitly keeps funding decisions for centrally funded higher educational institutions outside the regulatory mandate of VBSA, preserving fiscal and administrative autonomy.
• Enhanced Enforcement Powers: The Regulatory Council is empowered to impose stringent financial penalties, ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹2 crore, for non-compliance and regulatory violations.

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Key Criticisms of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025

• Regulation Without Financial Levers: The Bill removes grant-giving and fee-regulation powers earlier vested in UGC/AICTE, weakening the regulator’s ability to ensure affordability, equity, and institutional viability.
• Excessive Centralisation of Authority: Centre-dominated appointments, final authority over policy disputes, and the power to supersede the Commission/Councils undermine institutional autonomy and cooperative federalism.
• Marginalisation of States: The absence of State Higher Education Councils and minimal state representation dilute the federal character of education, despite it being a Concurrent List subject.
• Disproportionate Enforcement Regime: A steep escalation of penalties (₹10 lakh–₹2 crore) raises concerns of regulatory overreach, particularly for smaller and resource-constrained institutions.
• Fragmented Accountability Structure: By keeping funding of centrally funded HEIs outside VBSA’s purview, the Bill creates regulation without fiscal responsibility, complicating oversight and accountability.
• Incomplete Regulatory Coverage: Exclusion of medical, legal, pharmaceutical, dental, and veterinary education weakens the claim of a single, unified higher education regulator.

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