Parliamentary panel gets extension for report on Higher Education Commission Bill

Joint Committee on Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill gets extension until Monsoon Session.

Photo by shalender kumar

The Joint Committee of Parliament, formed to examine the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, is expected to submit its report by the end of the Monsoon Session. The bill aims to consolidate higher education regulators into a single commission, driven by the National Education Policy, 2020. Opposition MPs have raised concerns about potential executive overreach and the impact on federalism.

The committee, consisting of 31 members, has been granted an extension to submit its report, with the head of the committee, D. Purandeswari, moving a motion for the extension.

Key Facts

The Joint Committee of Parliament is examining the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025.

The bill aims to consolidate higher education regulators into a single commission.

The bill is driven by the National Education Policy, 2020.

Opposition MPs have raised concerns about potential executive overreach and the impact on federalism.

The committee consists of 31 members.

The committee has been granted an extension to submit its report by the end of the Monsoon Session.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International relations - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Connects to syllabus topics on education, regulatory bodies, and federalism.

Potential question types: Statement-based MCQs, analytical questions on the impact of the bill on higher education.

Visual Insights

Key Details of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025

Highlights the key aspects of the bill under review, including the committee composition and timeline.

Committee Members: 31

More Information

Background

The concept of a higher education commission in India has evolved over decades. Historically, higher education was primarily the domain of universities established under British rule. Post-independence, the University Grants Commission (UGC) was established in 1956 to maintain standards of higher education. The UGC played a central role in funding and coordinating universities. Over time, the higher education landscape became more complex with the rise of private institutions and specialized regulatory bodies like the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). This led to overlaps and inefficiencies in regulation. Various committees, including the Yash Pal Committee (2009), recommended reforms to create a more streamlined and effective regulatory framework. The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, aims to consolidate these regulatory bodies into a single entity. This is in line with the broader goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to education. The bill seeks to reduce fragmentation and improve coordination in the higher education sector. The concept of federalism is also relevant, as education is a subject on the Concurrent List of the Constitution, giving both the Centre and states the power to legislate on it.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been a push towards greater autonomy for higher education institutions. The government has been promoting the concept of Institutions of Eminence, granting them greater freedom in academic and administrative matters. This is intended to foster innovation and excellence in higher education. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for increased centralization and reduced state autonomy in the higher education sector. The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, has faced opposition from some quarters who fear that it could lead to executive overreach and undermine the federal structure of the country. The role of bodies like NITI Aayog in shaping education policy is also being debated. Looking ahead, the focus is likely to be on implementing the NEP 2020 and ensuring that the higher education system is aligned with the needs of a rapidly changing economy. The success of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, will depend on addressing the concerns of various stakeholders and ensuring that it promotes both quality and equity in higher education.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 and why is it important?

The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 aims to consolidate higher education regulators into a single commission. This is driven by the National Education Policy, 2020, and is intended to streamline the regulation of higher education in India.

2. What are the key concerns raised by opposition MPs regarding the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025?

Opposition MPs have expressed concerns about potential executive overreach and the impact on federalism. They worry that the bill could lead to increased centralization of power and undermine the autonomy of states in higher education.

3. What is the composition of the Joint Committee of Parliament examining the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025?

The Joint Committee consists of 31 members. 20 members are from Lok Sabha and 10 members are from Rajya Sabha.

4. Why is the Joint Committee on the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill in the news recently?

The Joint Committee is in the news because it has been granted an extension to submit its report on the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025. The committee is now expected to submit its report by the end of the Monsoon Session.

5. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of consolidating higher education regulators into a single commission, as proposed by the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025?

A single commission could streamline regulation and improve coordination, potentially leading to more efficient and effective governance of higher education. However, it could also lead to over-centralization, reduced autonomy for institutions, and a lack of diversity in approaches to higher education.

6. What is the historical background to the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025?

Historically, the University Grants Commission (UGC) was established in 1956 to maintain standards of higher education. The UGC played a central role in funding and coordinating universities. The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 aims to build upon this foundation while addressing contemporary challenges in higher education.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025: 1. It aims to consolidate all higher education regulators into a single commission. 2. The bill is driven by the recommendations of the National Education Policy, 2020. 3. The Joint Committee of Parliament examining the bill consists of 21 members. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, aims to consolidate higher education regulators into a single commission. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The bill is driven by the National Education Policy, 2020. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The Joint Committee of Parliament examining the bill consists of 31 members, not 21.

2. Which of the following statements accurately describes the role of the University Grants Commission (UGC)?

A.It is primarily responsible for regulating technical education in India.
B.It is the apex body for coordinating, determining and maintaining standards of university education in India.
C.It is responsible for conducting entrance examinations for all central universities.
D.It is a funding agency for primary education in rural areas.

Show Answer

Answer: B

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is the apex body in India responsible for coordinating, determining, and maintaining standards of university education. It provides recognition to universities and disburses funds to them.

3. Assertion (A): The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to higher education. Reason (R): This approach aims to break down the rigid boundaries between different disciplines and promote holistic learning. In the context of the above, which of the following is correct?

A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
C.A is true but R is false
D.A is false but R is true

Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The NEP 2020 does emphasize a multidisciplinary approach to higher education to promote holistic learning by breaking down rigid disciplinary boundaries.