Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, marking a transformative step towards restructuring India’s higher education regulatory architecture. The Bill seeks to empower Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) by strengthening quality standards, harmonising academic benchmarks, simplifying compliance, and enabling academic excellence aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
A New Vision for Higher Education Governance
The Bill aims to fundamentally reform the higher education regulatory system by replacing multiple regulatory bodies with a single, unified and technology-driven framework. It draws inspiration from the NEP 2020, which was formulated through extensive nationwide consultations under the leadership of Lt. Dr. K. Kasturirangan, former ISRO Chairperson and Chair of the NEP Drafting Committee.
Building on global best practices—carefully contextualised for India—the proposed legislation reflects a holistic, future-oriented vision that emphasises academic autonomy, multidisciplinary education, research excellence, innovation and global competitiveness rooted in Indian values.
Cabinet Approval and Constitutional Backing
The Bill was approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 12 December 2025, paving the way for its introduction in Parliament. It is being brought under Entry 66 of the Union List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which empowers the Union to coordinate and determine standards in institutions of higher education, research and technical education.
Establishment of Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan
At the core of the Bill is the establishment of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan as an apex body to provide strategic direction and coordination for the holistic growth of higher education in India. The Adhishthan will function through three independent and specialised Councils:
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Viksit Bharat Shiksha Manak Parishad (Standards Council) – responsible for defining and synchronising minimum academic standards
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Viksit Bharat Shiksha Viniyaman Parishad (Regulatory Council) – responsible for regulation and coordination to ensure compliance with standards
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Viksit Bharat Shiksha Gunvatta Parishad (Accreditation Council) – an independent authority overseeing a robust and credible accreditation ecosystem
The Bill proposes the repeal of the UGC Act, 1956, AICTE Act, 1987 and NCTE Act, 1993, subsuming these bodies under the new Adhishthan. All HEIs under the purview of the Ministry of Education, UGC, AICTE and NCTE will come under this unified framework for standards determination. The Council of Architecture (CoA) will function as a Professional Standard Setting Body (PSSB) as envisaged in NEP 2020. Importantly, the Bill safeguards the existing autonomy of Institutions of National Importance.
Simplified, Transparent and Technology-Driven Regulation
Addressing the issue of over-regulation, the Bill acknowledges that HEIs currently face multiple approvals, inspections and duplicative controls, which hamper innovation and academic growth. To address this, the proposed framework introduces a faceless, technology-enabled Single Window Interactive System, grounded in public self-disclosure and trust-based regulation.
The Regulatory Council will maintain a comprehensive public digital portal, mandating HEIs to disclose information related to governance, finances, audits, infrastructure, faculty, academic programmes and educational outcomes. This disclosed data will also serve as the primary basis for accreditation, ensuring transparency, accountability and consistency across the sector.
Student-Centric and Youth-Focused Reforms
The Bill places students at the centre of higher education reform. Key outcomes envisioned include:
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Improved access to quality HEIs and higher Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)
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Holistic education nurturing critical thinking, creativity and innovation
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Flexible and interdisciplinary academic structures supporting reskilling and upskilling
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Strong focus on research, innovation and entrepreneurship, promoting self-reliance
Students will actively contribute to ranking and evaluation of HEIs through structured feedback mechanisms. A robust grievance redressal system is proposed to ensure timely and effective resolution of student concerns, strengthening trust and accountability.
Global Alignment and Atmanirbhar Bharat
By adopting global best practices in governance, accreditation and academic standards, the Bill aims to enhance the international credibility and competitiveness of Indian HEIs. It seeks to position Bharat as a global knowledge hub, capable of retaining domestic talent while attracting international students and faculty.
The availability of holistic education in emerging and future-oriented areas will directly support the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, creating a skilled, future-ready workforce aligned with national development priorities.
Conclusion
The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 represents one of the most comprehensive reforms in India’s higher education landscape since Independence. By unifying regulation, enhancing institutional autonomy, leveraging technology, and placing students at the heart of the system, the Bill lays the foundation for a globally competitive, innovation-driven and inclusive higher education ecosystem, fully aligned with the transformative vision of NEP 2020 and the aspirations of a Viksit Bharat.
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Source: PIB
