New Delhi: In a major step toward transforming India’s higher education landscape, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025. The legislation, aimed at empowering higher educational institutions (HEIs) to achieve global excellence, proposes a unified regulatory framework aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It seeks to replace outdated bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) with a new apex commission.
The Bill was approved by the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on December 12, 2025, and introduced under Entry 66 of the Union List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with coordination and determination of standards in higher education and research institutions.
Background and Vision Behind the Bill
The NEP 2020, formulated after extensive nationwide consultations under the leadership of Dr. K. Kasturirangan (former ISRO Chairperson), envisioned a fundamental overhaul of higher education regulation. Chapter 18 of the policy emphasized academic autonomy, multidisciplinary education, research excellence, and global competitiveness rooted in Indian values. The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill builds on this vision by incorporating global best practices adapted to India’s context.
The current system suffers from over-regulation, multiple approvals, and duplication across bodies like UGC, AICTE, and NCTE, leading to compliance burdens for HEIs. The Bill aims to create a streamlined, transparent, and trust-based regulatory architecture to foster innovation, boost Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), and prepare a skilled, future-ready youth for Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Key Provisions of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025
1. Establishment of Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA)
The Bill proposes the creation of Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan as an apex umbrella body to provide strategic direction for the holistic growth of higher education and coordinate among three independent councils. The Commission will consist of a Chairperson and up to 12 other members (excluding ex-officio members and Member Secretary), all appointed by the President of India. Membership will include eminent academicians, domain experts, and representatives from states/UTs, state HEIs, and Institutions of National Importance for balanced representation.
2. Three Independent Councils
- Viksit Bharat Shiksha Viniyaman Parishad (Regulatory Council): Oversees coordination, maintenance, and enforcement of standards.
- Viksit Bharat Shiksha Gunvatta Parishad (Accreditation Council): Functions as an independent accrediting authority for a credible ecosystem.
- Viksit Bharat Shiksha Manak Parishad (Standards Council): Specifies minimum academic standards, synchronizes learning outcomes, and determines nomenclature for certificates, diplomas, and qualifications.
3. Repeal of Existing Acts
The Bill provides for repealing:
- University Grants Commission Act, 1956
- All India Council for Technical Education Act, 1987
- National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993
All HEIs under the Ministry of Education, UGC, AICTE, and NCTE will fall under VBSA for standard determination.
4. Council of Architecture (CoA)
The Council of Architecture, established under the Architects Act, 1972, will function as a Professional Standard Setting Body (PSSB) as per NEP 2020.
5. Autonomy for Institutions
The Bill upholds existing autonomy for Institutions of National Importance (e.g., IITs, IIMs, IISc). High-performing HEIs will receive enhanced autonomy to foster innovation and self-governance.
6. Funding Separation
Funding for centrally funded HEIs remains outside VBSA’s purview, with direct disbursement by the Ministry of Education to separate regulation from financial control.
7. Technology-Driven Single-Window System
A faceless, technology-enabled single-window interactive system will replace multiple approvals. HEIs must disclose governance, financial, academic, infrastructure, and performance data on a public digital portal. This disclosure forms the basis for accreditation, promoting transparency and trust-based regulation.
8. Enhanced Enforcement Powers
The Regulatory Council gains significant teeth:
- Penalties for violations range from ₹10 lakh to ₹2 crore.
- Repeated non-compliance may lead to suspension of degree-granting powers or institutional closure.
- Illegal institutions face immediate shutdown and heavy fines.
9. Student-Centric Reforms
The Bill emphasizes holistic education in emerging areas, interdisciplinary flexibility, reskilling/upskilling, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Students will provide feedback for rankings and evaluations, and a robust grievance redressal mechanism ensures timely resolution.
Major Outcomes and Benefits
Youth Empowerment
- Improved access to quality HEIs and higher GER.
- Focus on critical thinking, creativity, and global competence.
- Student feedback integration for continuous improvement.
Global Best Practices
- Alignment with international standards to enhance competitiveness and attract international students/faculty.
- Positioning India as a global knowledge hub.
Regulatory Reforms
- Separation of standard-setting, regulation, and accreditation for objectivity.
- Reduced bureaucracy through minimalistic, disclosure-based oversight.
- Graded autonomy for high-performing institutions.
Parliamentary Developments
During introduction on December 15, opposition members raised concerns over insufficient consultation and potential centralization. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju proposed referring the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for wider scrutiny, which the Lok Sabha approved on December 16, 2025. This ensures broader stakeholder input before final passage.
Implications for Higher Education in India
The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, represents a paradigm shift from fragmented, over-regulatory systems to a unified, outcome-focused framework. By delinking funding from regulation and emphasizing transparency and autonomy, it aims to unleash institutional potential while ensuring accountability. If enacted, it could significantly boost India’s higher education quality, making it more student-centric and globally competitive.
As the JPC reviews the Bill, stakeholders—including states, educators, and students—will closely watch for refinements. This reform aligns with the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat by nurturing a skilled, innovative youth ready to drive national progress.
FAQs
1. What is the main objective of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025?
The Bill aims to empower Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in India to achieve excellence through effective coordination and determination of standards. It advances the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by creating a unified, transparent, and student-centric regulatory framework that promotes academic autonomy, multidisciplinary education, research, innovation, and global competitiveness rooted in Indian values.
2. Which existing regulatory bodies will be replaced or subsumed under this Bill?
The Bill proposes to repeal three major acts:
- University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956
- All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Act, 1987
- National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Act, 1993
The UGC, AICTE, and NCTE will be subsumed under the new apex body, Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA), eliminating multiple approvals and over-regulation.
3. What is the structure of the new Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan?
The VBSA will function as an umbrella commission with:
- A Chairperson and up to 12 members (excluding ex-officio and Member Secretary), appointed by the President of India.
- Three independent councils:
- Viksit Bharat Shiksha Viniyaman Parishad (Regulatory Council) – for enforcement and coordination.
- Viksit Bharat Shiksha Gunvatta Parishad (Accreditation Council) – for independent accreditation.
- Viksit Bharat Shiksha Manak Parishad (Standards Council) – for setting minimum academic standards.
The Council of Architecture (CoA) will continue as a Professional Standard Setting Body (PSSB) under NEP 2020.
4. How will regulation become simpler and more transparent for HEIs?
The Bill introduces a faceless, technology-driven single-window system. All HEIs must disclose detailed information (governance, finances, infrastructure, faculty, academic programmes, and outcomes) on a public digital portal. This disclosure-based approach will:
- Form the basis for accreditation.
- Replace multiple inspections and approvals.
- Enable trust-based, minimalistic regulation.
- Allow high-performing institutions greater autonomy.
The Regulatory Council can impose penalties from ₹10 lakh to ₹2 crore for violations.
5. What happens next with the Bill, and how will it impact students and institutions?
After introduction in Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025, the Bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for wider consultation and scrutiny due to requests from opposition MPs. Once passed, it will:
- Boost Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and access to quality education.
- Provide robust grievance redressal for students.
- Promote holistic, interdisciplinary, and future-ready education.
- Enhance institutional autonomy for innovation while maintaining accountability.
- Position India as a global knowledge hub by aligning with international best practices.
Funding for centrally funded HEIs will remain separate from VBSA’s regulatory role, and existing autonomy of Institutions of National Importance will be preserved.
