The Union Cabinet recently cleared the Viksit Bharat Sikhsha Adhikshan Bill , formerly known as the HECI Bill 2025. This legislation, expected to be tabled in Parliament during the winter session, proposes a single higher education regulator for India. A key impact of the bill is bringing standalone teacher training institutes under a mandatory accreditation framework, according to Pankaj Arora, chief of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
New Regulatory Framework
The proposed bill aims to replace three existing regulatory bodies: the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the NCTE. The UGC currently oversees general higher education. The AICTE regulates technical education, while the NCTE focuses on teacher training programs. This new legislation seeks to streamline higher education governance under one authority.
The new body, the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), will focus on three main functions. These include regulation, accreditation, and setting learning standards. It will not possess the funding powers currently held by the UGC and AICTE.
Accreditation for Teacher Training
Pankaj Arora stated that standalone teacher training institutes have historically lacked accreditation. He highlighted that the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) did not previously cover these institutions. With the HECI’s establishment, a unified accreditation process will apply, ensuring consistent quality standards across all teacher training programs.
Arora explained that the absence of accreditation presented a significant challenge. The new HECI framework will introduce a single benchmark for regulation. This move aims to bring uniformity to the sector. Arora emphasized the importance of regulation being both “light and tight.”
Compliance with National Education Policy 2020
The HECI Bill aligns with the directives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This policy mandates that standalone teacher training institutes, often called “B.Ed colleges,” must transition into multidisciplinary institutions. This involves integrating various academic disciplines into their curriculum.
A crucial component of this transition is the introduction of the Integrated Teachers Education Programme (ITEP) . This four-year program combines a bachelor’s degree with professional teacher training. Institutions have been granted until 2030 to complete this transition process.
Scope and Parliamentary Review
The HECI will be led by a single chairperson. Medical and legal education remain outside the commission’s regulatory ambit. This ensures specialized oversight for these professional fields.
Before the bill’s tabling, parliamentary standing committee chairman Digvijaya Singh wrote to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Singh requested that the bill first undergo review by the parliamentary panel. He also sent a copy of his letter to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.