Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025

The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 proposes establishing an umbrella body with three councils to handle regulatory, standard-setting, and accreditation functions for higher education. This Bill aims to streamline the higher education regulatory framework in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Key Features of the Bill

• The Bill does not grant the regulatory council the power to disburse grants or regulate fees in higher education institutions.
• It allows the regulatory council to impose penalties ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 2 crore for violations, with the highest penalties for institutions established without approval.
• The Bill will repeal the UGC Act, 1956, AICTE Act, 1987, and NCTE Act, 1993, dissolving these bodies.
• It envisions the segregation of funding functions from those of regulation, standard-setting, and accreditation.

Structure and Composition

• The Bill proposes the creation of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Commission, consisting of a chairperson and up to 12 members.
• Three councils will be established under the Commission: 
  1. Regulatory Council (Viksit Bharat Shiksha Viniyaman Parishad)
  2. Standards Council (Viksit Bharat Shiksha Manak Parishad)
  3. Accreditation Council (Viksit Bharat Shiksha Gunvatta Parishad)
• Each council will have a president and up to 14 members, appointed by the President of India based on recommendations.

Functions of the Commission and Councils

• The Commission will develop roadmaps for transforming higher education institutions, integrating Bharatiya knowledge, and suggesting educational schemes.
• The Regulatory Council will ensure compliance with minimum standards, facilitate institutional autonomy, and authorize degree grants.
• The Accreditation Council will develop an 'Institutional Accreditation Framework' for assessing and accrediting institutions.
• The Standards Council will frame learning outcomes and minimum standards for higher education programs.

Additional Provisions

• The Bill allows the Centre to have the final decision in policy disagreements with the constituted bodies.
• It proposes using a technology-driven single-window system for regulation, removing redundant regulatory protocols.
• The Bill excludes medical, legal, pharmaceutical, dental, and veterinary programs but includes a representative role for the Council of Architecture.

The Bill aims to simplify the higher education regulatory landscape by eliminating multiple approvals and inspections, reducing over-regulation, and fostering a more integrated system.