National teacher and student organizations have strongly opposed the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill 2025 . They demand the government refer the bill to a parliamentary standing committee for review. The groups describe the bill as a major structural shift in higher education regulation and funding. The Union Cabinet cleared the VBSA Bill 2025 on December 12 . It is scheduled for introduction in the winter session of Parliament.
The bill proposes to repeal three significant education acts. These include the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act 1956 , the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Act 1987 , and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Act 1993 . This action would centralize authority previously held by these bodies.
Repealed Education Acts
The VBSA Bill 2025 aims to replace several existing acts, consolidating regulatory powers:
| Act Name | Year |
|---|---|
| University Grants Commission (UGC) Act | 1956 |
| All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Act | 1987 |
| National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Act | 1993 |
Revived HECI Bill with New Name
The VBSA Bill 2025 largely mirrors the earlier Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill 2018 . The new bill features revised names for the commission and its councils. The 2018 draft bill received over 100,000 unfavorable responses. Concerned citizens, student groups, teacher associations, and parliamentarians opposed it.
“The VBSA Bill 2025 is a revived version of a similar HECI Bill 2018,” the organizations stated. “The revision largely involves renaming the Commission and Councils.” The groups highlight the repeated concerns remain unaddressed.
Key Concerns Raised by Groups
Teacher and student organizations have listed several major issues with the bill. They fear increased bureaucracy and political interference. Key concerns include:
- Funding and Regulation Delinking: The bill separates funding from regulation. The education ministry will administer grants. This could increase central government control over higher education institutions.
- Commission Composition: The commission will have 12 members. The Central government nominates 10 members. This structure reduces teacher representation significantly. It also excludes clear inclusion for marginalized communities like SCs, STs, OBCs, women, transpersons, persons with disabilities, and minorities.
- Centralized Regime: The bill’s regulatory provisions include graded autonomy, authorization, and institutional closure. These measures move towards a centralized control system.
- Impact on Teacher Security: The changes could affect job security for teachers. Institutions may face pressure towards self-reliance, potentially increasing fees for students.
- Disregard for Diversity and Equity: The bill does not adequately consider the diverse needs of institutions. It may threaten the autonomy of state-run and aided institutions.
Link to National Education Policy (NEP 2020)
The organizations connect the VBSA Bill to the ongoing implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) . Higher education institutions already face operational challenges under the NEP 2020. The bill could worsen existing issues. These include problems with curriculum design, admissions processes, public funding, and research capacity. This creates additional strain on institutions already adjusting to new policies.
Demand for Parliamentary Review
The joint statement concludes with an appeal. The groups urge the government to refer the VBSA Bill to the parliamentary standing committee. This step would allow teachers, students, and educationists to provide their input. “As stakeholders, we appeal that the Bill be referred to the Standing Committee,” the statement said. This process ensures transparency and allows diverse voices to be heard.