Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill – Key Points
Cabinet Approval
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Union Cabinet approved a bill on December 12, 2025 to establish a single higher education regulator.
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The bill was earlier called the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill; now renamed Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill.
Purpose of the Bill
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To create one unified regulator for higher education (excluding medical and legal education).
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Proposed regulator will replace:
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UGC (University Grants Commission) – regulates non-technical higher education
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AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) – regulates technical education
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NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education) – regulates teacher education
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NEP 2020 Alignment
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The National Education Policy (2020) envisioned an overhaul of the regulatory system.
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NEP requires separation of four key functions:
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Regulation
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Accreditation
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Funding
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Academic/professional standards
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The new commission is designed to embody these principles.
Scope & Functions of the Proposed Commission
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Will act as a single regulator for higher education (except medical and law colleges).
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Will have three main roles:
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Regulation
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Accreditation
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Standard-setting (professional/academic).
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Funding will not come under the new regulator and will remain with the administrative ministry.
Background & Evolution
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The idea of HECI has existed since 2018, when a draft bill to repeal the UGC Act was released for public feedback.
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Renewed efforts began under Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Education Minister since July 2021.
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NEP 2020 stressed the need to “re-energise the higher education sector” through a modern, efficient regulatory system.
