A monumental shift is on the horizon for India's higher education landscape, while the Union Cabinet has given its nod to the 'Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill,' a legislative move poised to bring about a comprehensive transformation in how higher education institutions are governed and operated across the nation. This pivotal bill is designed to supersede three existing key regulatory bodies: the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), while the approval marks a significant step towards fulfilling the vision outlined in the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP-2020), which advocates for a solid and dynamic higher education sector.
The core objective of the newly approved bill is to establish 'Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan' as a singular, overarching higher education regulator. This proposed commission will serve as a centralized authority for Indian higher education, aiming to streamline regulatory processes and address the fragmentation and overlaps that have historically characterized the sector due to the presence of multiple bodies. The current multi-regulator system, while serving its purpose, has often led to complexities and inefficiencies in governance. By consolidating these functions under one umbrella, the new regulator is expected to foster greater coherence, transparency, and effectiveness in the regulatory framework, ensuring a more unified approach to quality assurance and institutional oversight.
Three Primary Functions
The 'Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan' will primarily focus on three critical functions, each vital for enhancing the quality and standards of Indian higher education. The first function is 'Regulation,' which involves setting clear rules, guidelines, and frameworks for higher education institutions to ensure they deliver quality education and adhere to established norms. The second function is 'Accreditation,' a crucial process for evaluating and certifying the quality of institutions and their programs, thereby providing assurance to students, parents, and employers about the credibility and standards of education offered, while the third function is 'Professional Standard Setting,' which entails establishing high and uniform professional standards across various academic and vocational disciplines, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet industry demands and contribute effectively to the workforce.
Separation of Funding Mechanism
While the new commission is entrusted with the responsibilities of regulation, accreditation, and professional standard setting, the bill proposes to keep funding outside its direct purview. Funding, often considered the fourth vertical in the regulatory ecosystem, is slated to remain under the administrative ministry. This deliberate separation aims to insulate the regulatory body from potential conflicts of interest that might arise from simultaneously being a regulator and a funder. By allowing the administrative ministry to manage financial allocations, the regulator can maintain its impartiality and focus solely on its core mandate of ensuring quality and standards, free from the pressures of financial distribution. This model is intended to ensure that funding decisions are driven by. Strategic policy priorities and budgetary considerations, rather than being influenced by regulatory assessments.
Historical Context and Evolution
The concept of a unified higher education regulator, specifically the Higher Education. Commission of India (HECI), has been a subject of discussion for several years. A draft bill titled 'Higher Education Commission of India (Repeal of University Grants Commission Act) Bill, 2018,' which proposed the repeal of the UGC Act and the establishment of HECI, was placed in the public domain in 2018 for feedback and consultation with stakeholders. This historical context underscores a long-standing recognition of the need for comprehensive reforms in the higher education regulatory landscape, indicating that the current bill is a culmination of sustained efforts and deliberations.
Renewed Efforts Under Dharmendra Pradhan
Following the assumption of office by Dharmendra Pradhan as the Union Education Minister in July 2021, renewed efforts were initiated to bring the HECI concept to fruition. These concerted endeavors aimed at developing a regulatory framework that's responsive to the evolving needs of 21st-century Indian higher education, while the 'Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill' is a direct outcome of these persistent efforts, reflecting the government's commitment to fostering a strong, transparent, and accountable higher education system. It signifies a strategic move towards creating an environment conducive to academic excellence and innovation.
Vision Aligned with NEP-2020
The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP-2020) explicitly emphasizes the necessity of a complete overhaul of the regulatory system to strengthen and propel the higher education sector forward. The NEP-2020 document articulates that the new system must ensure that distinct functions such as regulation, accreditation, funding, and setting academic standards are performed by separate, independent, and strong institutions, while the 'Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill' is a crucial step towards realizing this vision, aiming to align Indian higher education with global best practices and prepare it for future challenges. This bill is expected to lay a strong foundation for promoting quality,. Access, and equity in higher education, thereby contributing Importantly to national development.
