Overview
The Union Education Ministry has accepted several amendments to the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill 2025 (VBSA Bill) after objections from the Andhra Pradesh government and other states. The changes focus on ensuring that the proposed Regulatory Council obtains a NOC from the concerned State before making decisions that affect State‑run colleges.
Key Developments
- Amendment to Clause 11(4): Any college substantially funded by a State must receive a State NOC before the Council can grant or withdraw degree‑granting powers.
- Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to discuss the draft report on 20 July 2026.
- Recommendation to revise Clause 47 and limit supersession to extraordinary circumstances.
- Inclusion of a provision in Clause 12 allowing State universities to establish constituent colleges without prior Council approval.
- Removal of the phrase “system of regulation” from Entry 66‑based powers, restricting the Bill to coordination and standards determination.
Important Facts
The Bill, introduced in Parliament in December 2025, originally sought a uniform regulatory architecture across India. Critics argued that it infringed on State subjects such as the incorporation and regulation of universities. The JPC’s draft report reflects a compromise: the Centre retains a supervisory role, but State gove