Union Cabinet approves Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill

The Union Cabinet on Dec 12 cleared legislation to create a single regulator for higher education, marking a major step toward restructuring India’s academic oversight framework, officials said.

The proposed law, now titled the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill, was earlier known as the Higher Education Commission of India Bill. It seeks to establish a unified regulatory body in line with the National Education Policy 2020.

“The bill to set up Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan has been approved by the Cabinet,” an official said.

Once enacted, the new regulator will replace existing bodies such as the University Grants Commission, the All India Council for Technical Education, and the National Council for Teacher Education.

At present, the UGC regulates non-technical higher education, the AICTE oversees technical institutions, and the NCTE governs teacher education.

According to officials, the proposed commission will function as a single regulator for higher education, although medical and law colleges will remain outside its scope.

The body is expected to focus on three core areas: regulation, accreditation, and the setting of professional and academic standards.

Funding will not be brought under the regulator’s authority at this stage. Responsibility for financial matters is proposed to remain with the administrative ministry, giving it autonomy over funding decisions.

The idea of a unified higher education regulator has been under consideration for several years.

In 2018, a draft Higher Education Commission of India Bill that proposed repealing the UGC Act was released for public feedback and stakeholder consultations.

Momentum for the reform was renewed after Dharmendra Pradhan assumed charge as Union education minister in July 2021, with the ministry revisiting the proposal in the context of broader education reforms.

Highlighting the need for structural change, the NEP 2020 states, “The regulatory system is in need of a complete overhaul in order to re-energize the higher education sector and enable it to thrive.”

The policy further emphasizes that regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standard setting should be handled by distinct, independent, and empowered bodies.