A new higher education bill, known as the Viksit Bharat Adhishthan Bill, is poised to bring significant changes to the regulation of universities and higher education institutions in India. One of the most notable proposals within the bill is a hefty penalty of ₹2 crore for any institution found to be operating without the explicit approval of the Central or state government. In addition to the fine, these illegal institutions would face immediate closure. The bill is expected to be introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday.
The Viksit Bharat Adhishthan Bill addresses transparency in higher education. The bill stipulates that all higher education institutions, encompassing universities, IITs, and IIMs, must disclose comprehensive information on a public portal. This portal will be maintained by a newly established regulatory council. The information required includes financial details, audit reports, infrastructure specifics, faculty profiles, course offerings, outcome data, and accreditation status. Institutions will also be obligated to display this data on their own websites.
This disclosed information will serve as the foundation for accreditation processes and regulatory oversight, ensuring that institutions are held accountable for the quality and accuracy of the information they provide. The regulatory oversight would be performed by a common regulator for higher education named Viksit Bharat Shiksha Viniyaman Parishad, having 14 members.
In related news from the education sector, Florida State Senator Randy Fine has introduced legislation targeting undocumented immigrants' access to public universities. The bill (SB 244) seeks to prohibit certain public universities from admitting students who are undocumented immigrants. This initiative aligns with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' broader efforts to curb illegal immigration. The proposed law would affect institutions with acceptance rates below 85%, including the University of Florida, Florida State University, and the University of Central Florida. These institutions would be mandated to restrict enrollment to U.S. citizens, Florida residents, and international applicants with legal status. Furthermore, the bill proposes repealing a 2014 law that allows undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition. According to the Florida Policy Institute, approximately 6,500 students benefited from this policy in the 2023-2024 academic year.
