Parliamentary Committee flags over-centralization in the Draft HECI Bill

Posted 06 Feb 2025

2 min read

Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education raised concerns of over-centralization with the proposed Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, which seeks to replace University Grants Commission (UGC) as a single regulator.

About the proposed HECI

Need for HECI

Fragmented regulatory structure: Currently, Higher Education in India is regulated by multiple bodies including UGC, AICTE, National Council for Teacher Education, etc.
Mechanistic and disempowering nature of regulation: Heavy concentrations of power within a few bodies, conflicts of interest among these bodies, and a resulting lack of accountability.

National Education Policy 2020 recommended to constitute an umbrella institution, HECI, with 4 independent verticals:
- National Higher Education Regulatory Council: To function as common, single point regulator for higher education sector including teacher education and excluding medical and legal education.
- National Accreditation Council: To supervise and oversee accreditation of Higher Educational Institution.
- Higher Education Grants Council: To carry out funding and financing of higher education based on transparent criteria.
- General Education Council: To frame expected learning outcomes for higher education programmes, including formulation of National Higher Education Qualification Framework.

Concerns raised

Overcentralization: Central Government- heavy composition and insufficient State representation.
Impact on Educational institutions in rural areas: Removes State control and could lead to closure of institutions in rural areas that suffer from infrastructure or faculty shortages and could indirectly fuel privatization, especially in rural areas.