The Union Government on Monday introduced the Viksit Bharat Sikhsha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, proposing a sweeping restructuring of India’s higher education regulatory framework. Amid strong objections from the opposition, the Bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed scrutiny.
Introduced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during the Winter Session of Parliament, the Bill seeks to establish a Higher Education Board that would centralise regulation by subsuming multiple existing regulatory bodies under a single commission. The proposed overhaul aims to create a unified system for regulation, accreditation and standard-setting in higher education institutions across the country.
The move, however, triggered sharp resistance from opposition members. Congress MP Manish Tewari opposed the introduction of the Bill, arguing that it grants excessive powers to the Centre and undermines the authority of state governments and higher education institutions. He said the legislation interferes in administrative functioning, including appointments, thereby affecting institutional autonomy. Several other opposition MPs echoed these concerns and demanded the withdrawal of the Bill from the House.
Following the objections, the government agreed to refer the legislation to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, signalling that the proposed reforms will undergo further examination and consultation.
The Bill outlines an ambitious plan to promote outcome-based education and integrate Bharatiya knowledge systems, aligning with the government’s broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. It proposes the creation of a commission intended to facilitate universities and higher educational institutions to function as independent, self-governing entities while promoting excellence through a transparent accreditation framework.
Under the proposed structure, the commission will operate through three separate wings, a Regulatory Council, an Accreditation Council and a Standards Council. The 12-member body will include the presidents of these councils, the Union higher education secretary, two eminent academicians from state higher educational institutions, five eminent experts, and a member secretary.
Appointments to the commission will be made exclusively by the Centre through a three-member search panel. The Bill also provides legal protection to office-bearers and employees of the commission and its councils for actions taken in the course of their official duties.
The legislation proposes strict penalties for non-compliance. Institutions failing to adhere to provisions of the law could face fines ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 30 lakh, while repeat violations may attract penalties of at least Rs 75 lakh or even suspension.
According to the Bill, the commission will provide strategic direction for the holistic growth of higher education and research in a globally competitive environment. It also aims to develop roadmaps for transforming institutions into large multidisciplinary education and research centres, and for positioning India as a global education destination.
The proposed reforms are expected to have implications for universities and colleges across the country, including in remote and island territories such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where access, autonomy and regulatory clarity play a critical role in expanding higher education opportunities.
