Viksit Bharat Shiksha Bill 2025 Raises Concerns Over Centralisation Of Education
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill 2025 in Parliament on Monday. The government has sent the draft bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for scrutiny. The final decision will be made after the JPC recommendations are received. The bill seeks to restructure the regulation, accreditation, and governance of higher education in India.
The bill proposes to replace the existing multiple regulatory bodies with a single umbrella body backed by three specialised councils, which aims to bring transparency, autonomy, and global competitiveness to Indian higher education.
Apex body and three councils
The Apex body, comprising three councils, namely, the regulatory council, accreditation council, and standard council, will serve as the top policy and coordination authority for higher education in India. It will advise the government to promote India as an education destination and integrate Indian knowledge systems and languages into higher education.
The commission will consist of a Chairperson, senior academics, experts, and representatives from the Union government, supported by a full-time member secretary.
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Jurisdiction of the bill
The bill will apply to central and state universities, deemed universities, institutions of national importance (IITs, NITs, etc.), colleges affiliated to universities, online distance and digital education providers, and institutions of education.
However, medical, law, pharmacy, nursing, and allied health programmes will remain outside of the direct purview of the bill.
Central government role
The bill gives substantial power to the central government in issuing binding policy directives, appointing key office-bearers, approving foreign university operations, and superseding the commission or councils for specified periods in cases of persistent failure.
All bodies will be accountable through annual reports, parliamentary oversight, and audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Major Concerns about the bill
The councils have given extensive powers to control and regulate the universities through accreditation, financial support, and other regulatory measures. Financial penalties can be imposed in various cases of violation. Institutions may face suspension of degree-granting powers, withdrawal of affiliation, or closure in severe violation charges.
The council will have the right to grant degrees to accredited higher educational institutions, even if they are not universities, with prior approval of the central government. This authorization can be withdrawn if institutions violate regulatory provisions.
The concerns were raised bout the centralisation of regulatory powers given to the apex body and three councils over the state universities.
