Overview
On July 10, 2026, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh urged NDA‑ruled states, especially Andhra Pradesh, to reject the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan 2025 Bill. The call came after the Joint Parliamentary Committee reported strong objections from several states during its consultations.
Key Developments
- Ramesh asked state governments to submit dissent notes during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
- Andhra Pradesh lodged the most detailed objections, warning that the Bill would increase central control over higher education.
- The Bill proposes three new councils, omitting the dedicated grants council recommended in the NEP‑2020.
- Existing bodies such as the UGC and the AICTE could lose grant‑allocation powers to the Union Education Ministry.
- The Bill’s overriding clause may bring Institutes of National Importance under a new central commission.
Important Facts
The draft law cites Entry 66 of the Union List as its basis. Critics argue that the Bill goes beyond this limited power by encroaching on state jurisdiction over university incorporation, regulation, and winding‑up.
Under the current system, the UGC must consult universiti