Higher Education Bill Brings IITs, IIMs Under Single Regulator

The Union government has tabled the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, proposing a fundamental restructuring of India’s higher education regulatory framework. The Bill seeks to subsume existing bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) into a single overarching authority.

Single Regulator with Three Independent Verticals

The proposed legislation envisages a unified higher education regulator with three distinct verticals responsible for regulation, accreditation and academic standards. The government has cited overlapping jurisdictions, excessive compliance burdens and weak quality assurance as key shortcomings of the existing system. By mandating outcome-based accreditation linked to institutional autonomy, the Bill aims to shift higher education governance towards a performance-oriented and transparent framework.

Institutions of National Importance Covered

A major departure from past practice is the explicit inclusion of Institutions of National Importance within the ambit of the new law. Section 2(1)(a) applies the Act to IITs, IIMs, NITs, IISc and similar institutions established by Acts of Parliament under the Ministry of Education. Section 2(2) grants the law overriding effect on matters of coordination and standards, marking a clear reduction in the regulatory insulation these institutions have traditionally enjoyed.

Expanded Powers and Autonomy Safeguards

Sections 10 and 11 establish a Regulatory Council as the common regulator for higher education, with wide-ranging powers linked to accreditation and compliance. While Section 49 includes a proviso stating that the autonomy and independence of Institutions of National Importance will be protected, this safeguard is to be operationalised through future regulations approved by the Central Government. Provisions such as Section 45 on policy directions and Section 47 on supersession powers expand executive discretion across the sector.

What to Note for Exams?

• The Bill subsumes UGC, AICTE and NCTE into a single regulator.
• IITs, IIMs, NITs and IISc are covered under Section 2(1)(a).
• The law has overriding effect on standards and coordination.
• Professional councils for medicine and law remain outside its scope.

Wide Institutional Scope and NEP Linkage

Beyond elite institutions, the Bill covers central, state and private universities, deemed universities, affiliated and autonomous colleges, technical and teacher education institutions, open and online education providers, and foreign universities operating in India. Professional practice in medicine, law, pharmacy and veterinary sciences remains with existing councils. The government argues the legislation gives statutory backing to the National Education Policy 2020, which called for a single regulator, graded autonomy and globally competitive higher education institutions.