By Prof (Dr) Hitesh D Raviya
India’s higher education system is at a defining moment in its evolution. With expanding student aspirations, rapid institutional growth, increasing global competition, and the rising demand for innovation-driven learning, the sector is being called upon to rethink not only what it teaches, but how it is governed. As the country works towards building a more inclusive, globally competitive, and future-ready academic ecosystem, the need for regulatory clarity, institutional accountability, and streamlined governance has become more pressing than ever. It is within this larger national context that the conversation around structural reform in higher education is gaining significant momentum.A major reform in the making
India’s higher education sector appears to be entering a new phase of institutional reform. The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, currently under review by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, proposes a comprehensive restructuring of the regulatory framework governing universities and colleges in the country. The proposed legislation seeks to replace three major statutory bodies, the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), with a single integrated regulatory architecture. The objective is to simplify governance structures, reduce duplication of regulatory functions, and align the higher education system more closely with the long-term goals outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.Why the reform is being proposed
The rationale behind the proposed reform lies in the remarkable expansion of India’s higher education ecosystem over the past few decades. What was once a relatively small and elite system has grown into one of the largest higher education networks in the world. Today, India hosts more than a thousand universities and tens of thousands of colleges and institutions across diverse disciplines. While this growth reflects the country’s rising educational aspirations and demographic momentum, it has also produced a regulatory environment involving multiple statutory authorities, overlapping mandates, and complex approval procedures. The new Bill seeks to address these challenges by establishing a more coherent and streamlined regulatory structure capable of supporting both expansion and quality improvement.Creation of the VBSA commission
At the centre of the proposed framework is the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA), envisioned as the apex body guiding higher education governance in India. The Commission would provide strategic direction and coordination across the sector. Under the VBSA, three specialised councils would operate, each focusing on a distinct regulatory function. The Viniyaman Parishad (Regulatory Council) would oversee compliance and regulatory oversight. The Gunvatta Parishad (Accreditation Council) would supervise the accreditation ecosystem and focus on quality assurance across institutions. The Manak Parishad (Standards Council) would be responsible for defining academic standards, determining learning outcomes, and establishing the nomenclature of educational qualifications such as certificates, diplomas, and degrees.
The “Light but Tight” regulatory philosophy
The architecture of the new system reflects the regulatory philosophy articulated in NEP 2020, which emphasises a “light but tight” approach. This principle aims to minimise excessive bureaucratic procedures while strengthening accountability through transparency and clearly defined outcomes. Instead of relying primarily on inspection-based oversight, the framework emphasises public self-disclosure by institutions. Universities and colleges would be expected to publish comprehensive information about their governance practices, finances, faculty resources, infrastructure, academic programmes, and student outcomes. Such transparency is intended to empower students, regulators, and the wider public to make informed assessments about institutional quality and performance.
Support from existing regulators
The proposed reform has received encouraging responses from several existing regulatory bodies. During discussions with the parliamentary committee reviewing the Bill, representatives of the UGC and AICTE indicated that the proposed framework could address long-standing structural challenges within the current system. They observed that the existing multi-regulator arrangement sometimes complicates academic innovation, particularly in areas such as interdisciplinary programmes, credit transfers between institutions, and collaborative academic initiatives. A unified regulatory structure, they suggested, could bring greater clarity and efficiency to institutional governance.
Expected benefits for institutions
Supporters believe the new framework could significantly benefit universities and colleges by reducing administrative burdens and enabling greater institutional flexibility. With fewer overlapping regulatory requirements, institutions may be able to focus more effectively on teaching quality, research development, and academic innovation. The reform is also linked to the broader developmental goals of NEP 2020, particularly the target of increasing India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50 percent by 2035. Achieving this objective will require not only expanding institutional capacity but also creating governance systems capable of managing rapid growth while maintaining academic standards.
Broad scope of the proposed law
The Bill is designed to cover a wide spectrum of higher education institutions across the country. It would apply to central and state universities, deemed universities, affiliated colleges, technical and teacher education institutions, and institutions offering open and distance learning programmes. The framework also recognises the increasing importance of digital and online education in the contemporary learning environment. Additionally, the proposed structure would enable the Regulatory Council to establish guidelines for foreign universities operating in India and facilitate Indian universities establishing international campuses. Certain professional fields such as medicine, veterinary sciences, law, and pharmacy would continue to be regulated by their respective professional councils.
Strengthening accountability and standards
An important element of the Bill is the introduction of a structured compliance and accountability framework. Institutions would be required to maintain high standards of governance and transparency through regular disclosures and adherence to regulatory norms. The legislation also provides a graded system of penalties in cases where institutions fail to comply with established standards. This framework is designed to encourage responsible institutional conduct and reinforce quality assurance mechanisms across the higher education sector.
Institutional suggestions and collaborative input
During the parliamentary review process, several institutions and professional bodies have offered constructive suggestions to strengthen the proposed framework. For example, the National Council for Teacher Education has recommended provisions that would allow institutions to appeal decisions made by the regulatory councils. The Council of Architecture has also expressed support for the initiative while recommending representation within the new governance structure and alignment between the Bill and existing professional regulations. Such inputs illustrate the collaborative process through which the proposed regulatory framework continues to evolve.
The role of the parliamentary committee
The Joint Parliamentary Committee currently examining the Bill is expected to play a vital role in refining its final provisions. The committee’s consultations with regulators, professional bodies, and policymakers are aimed at ensuring that the proposed architecture effectively balances efficiency, transparency, and academic standards. This stage of legislative scrutiny allows diverse perspectives from across the higher education sector to inform the final policy framework.
A transformative moment for higher education governance
The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill represents a significant moment in the evolution of India’s higher education governance. By proposing a unified regulatory architecture, the legislation seeks to create a system that is both streamlined and responsive to the needs of a rapidly expanding knowledge economy. As India continues to invest in education as a key driver of national development, such reforms are intended to strengthen institutional capacity, encourage innovation, and enhance global academic engagement.
Looking ahead
As deliberations on the Bill continue, the proposed reform has already generated considerable interest across the higher education community. The emerging regulatory framework reflects India’s broader ambition to build a robust, transparent, and globally competitive higher education system. The coming years will reveal how this new architecture contributes to expanding educational access, strengthening academic quality, and supporting the country’s aspirations as a leading knowledge society.
– The author is the Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts; Professor and Head, Department of English; Chairperson, Board of English Language and Literature; Principal (OSD), Baroda Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya; Director, Communication Cell; and OSD. (Public Relations and Communication), The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETEducation does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETEducation will not be responsible for any damage caused to any person or organisation directly or indirectly.
