Overview
The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025 seeks to replace the UGC, AICTE and NCTE with a single apex regulator called the VBSA. A joint parliamentary committee (JPC) headed by D. Purandeswari is reviewing the Bill. Several state governments and major universities have raised strong objections, fearing that the Bill would concentrate power in the centre and erode state autonomy in higher education.
Key Developments
- Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya — all NDA‑ruled states — submitted formal objections, citing loss of legislative competence and lack of state representation.
- Central and state universities, including Banaras Hindu University and IIIT Chittoor, warned of “arbitrary interventions” and institutional disruption.
- Clause 11, which would let the regulatory council grant degrees without state approval, was singled out as a source of constitutional friction.
- Clause 45 gives the centre binding policy directions over the VBSA; Clause 47 allows the centre to suspend or supersede the regulator for up to a year.
- States have demanded mandatory consultation before any action affecting state universities and a clear division of powers.
Important Facts
- The Bill proposes a single apex body (VBSA) to replace three existing statutory agencies.
- States argue that the Bill could render their constitutional competence in higher education a “dead letter”.
- Universities fear that simultaneous dissolution of UGC, AICTE and NCTE could cause “significant institutional disruption”.
- Clause 45 is described by Telangana as the “single most centralising clause” and a “self‑judging clause”.
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