The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Bill, aimed at revolutionizing India's higher education system, has been introduced in the Lok Sabha, generating both support and opposition. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has championed the bill, asserting that it will empower universities to compete globally by establishing a uniform pattern in regulation, standard-setting, and accreditation. The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee of Parliament (JPC) for further scrutiny.

Key Objectives and Features

The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, previously known as the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, seeks to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) with a single, unified regulatory body. This move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's vision of simplifying governance, enhancing quality, and promoting autonomy in higher education. The bill aims to create a transparent, outcome-focused system that improves accountability and strengthens the global competitiveness of Indian institutions.

The bill proposes the creation of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA), which will consist of three independent councils: the Regulatory Council (Viksit Bharat Shiksha Viniyaman Parishad), the Accreditation Council (Viksit Bharat Shiksha Gunvatta Parishad), and the Standards Council (Viksit Bharat Shiksha Manak Parishad). These councils will handle regulation, accreditation, and academic standards, respectively, ensuring a clear separation of functions. The VBSA will provide high-level strategic direction for the comprehensive growth of higher education and research in a competitive global environment and develop a roadmap for transforming higher educational institutions.

Expected Outcomes

The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Bill is expected to bring about several major outcomes, including:

• Streamlined Regulations: The bill aims to simplify the regulatory landscape by replacing multiple regulatory bodies with a single, unified authority, reducing bureaucratic red tape and duplication.
• Enhanced Institutional Autonomy: The legislation seeks to grant greater academic freedom to universities and colleges, allowing them to become independent, self-governing institutions.
• Improved Quality Standards: By setting clear academic and institutional benchmarks, the bill aims to align Indian higher education with global quality standards, promoting innovation and a more flexible, multidisciplinary learning environment.
• Focus on Outcome-Based Learning: The bill emphasizes outcome-based learning and quality assurance, encouraging institutions to improve learning outputs and adopt continuous quality improvement processes.
• Empowered Students: The bill aims to make higher education more accessible, transparent, and student-focused, improving outreach and increasing enrollment. It also seeks to promote holistic learning, nurturing critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.

Concerns and Opposition

Despite the potential benefits, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Bill has faced opposition from some members of Parliament. Concerns have been raised regarding the bill's nomenclature, potential centralization of power, and impact on state government powers. Some opposition MPs have argued that the bill weakens state governments' power and leads to excessive centralization of higher education, violating the constitutional distribution of legislative powers. There have also been concerns about the lack of time given to study the bill and its potential to undermine institutional autonomy.

Minister's Response

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has defended the bill, stating that it is necessary to establish a uniform pattern in regulation, standard-setting, and university accreditation. He has also assured that the bill does not pose a threat to the autonomy of states and that they will retain similar powers as they have presently. Pradhan has emphasized that the bill aims to promote excellence and transparency in higher education while ensuring coordination and determination of standards.

The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Bill represents a significant step towards reforming India's higher education system. While it has generated debate and concerns, the government believes that it will empower universities to compete globally and contribute to the nation's development. The bill's referral to the JPC provides an opportunity for further deliberation and refinement, ensuring that it effectively addresses the challenges and opportunities in the higher education sector.