In major overhaul, Centre proposes single regulator for higher education

THE GOVERNMENT ON Monday introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 in Parliament that aims to overhaul higher education by setting up a single regulator for higher education that will set standards, streamline governance, and provide policy directions.

- MANU KAUSHIK

While presenting the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that it will facilitate universities and other higher educational institutions to become independent, self-governing institutions."It will promote excellence through a robust and transparent system of accreditation and autonomy,"he said.

Broadly, the bill will set up an umbrella body with three arms to handle regulatory, standardsetting and accreditation functions.

Through this legislation, the regulatory body will have powers to slap penalties on institutions that will range from ₹7L to ₹2 crore proposed 14-member apex body will replace existing bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).