The Union Cabinet on Friday gave its approval to the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill, setting the stage for a major transformation in the regulation of higher education in India. The move gives legal backing to one of the central commitments outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP).
According to sources, the government is expected to introduce the bill during the ongoing session of Parliament, which ends on December 19. The proposed law was earlier known as the Higher Education Commission of India Bill, but has now been renamed the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill.
Aligning with the National Education Policy
The bill follows the NEP’s vision of creating a single, unified regulator for higher education by bringing 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) under one umbrella.
One authority for higher education
Under the proposed legislation, a single overarching body will oversee higher education in the country, replacing the current multiple regulatory agencies. However, medical and legal education will continue to be regulated separately and will not fall under the new framework, sources said.
Officials noted that the rebranded bill “is aimed at simplifying governance, reducing regulatory overlap and shifting focus of oversight away from compliance-driven controls towards academic quality and learning outcomes across public and private institutions”.
Clear Division of Responsibilities
The new law proposes a clear separation of roles, with regulation, accreditation, academic standard-setting and funding managed through distinct verticals. While the proposed authority will handle norms, quality benchmarks and institutional oversight, the responsibility for disbursing public funds will remain with the relevant administrative ministry.
An official explained the rationale behind this model, saying, “The separation is intended to prevent co-nflict of interest, reduce micromanagement and create a more transparent regulatory architecture.”
More Freedom for Universities
Education specialists believe the reform could encourage innovation across universities. Vinay Pathak, Vice-Chancellor of Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, said, “A unified regulator could bring coherence to academic standards and allow universities greater freedom to innovate in pedagogy and research, while remaining accountable for outcomes.”
The government’s strong focus on accreditation and measurable learning outcomes is viewed as being aligned with global best practices. By separating funding from regulatory decisions, the Centre aims to ensure that quality checks are not influenced by financial considerations.
Cabinet To Open nuclear sector
In addition to education reforms, the Cabinet is also learnt to have cleared another bill to open the civil nuclear power sector to private participation. Named the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, the proposal seeks to support India’s goal of achieving 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
Challenges to Face
Policy experts have warned that the real impact of the education reform will depend on effective implementation. Matters such as institutional autonomy, balance between Centre and states, and the transition from existing regulatory bodies are likely to be key areas of debate when the bill is taken up in Parliament.
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