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The Centre is preparing to introduce the Higher Education Commission of India Bill 2025, which aims to unify the regulation of higher education in the country. By merging multiple regulatory bodies, this bill promises to simplify operations, give more autonomy to colleges, and improve the overall quality of higher education.
What is the Higher Education Commission of India Bill 2025?
The Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill 2025 is a proposed law to replace multiple existing regulatory bodies with a single commission governing higher education. This step follows recommendations from the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which called for a streamlined and effective regulatory framework.
Why a Single Regulatory Body?
Currently, India’s higher education is regulated by multiple bodies—the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). This fragmented setup often leads to administrative delays, overlapping functions, and conflicts of interest.
The HECI Bill proposes consolidating these functions into one commission to reduce red tape and improve accountability, aiming for a more transparent and robust system.
Structure and Functions Under HECI
The bill outlines four independent verticals within the commission:
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National Higher Education Regulatory Council (regulates all fields except medical and legal education)
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National Accreditation Council (handles accreditation of institutions)
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General Education Council (frames learning outcomes and curriculum standards)
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Higher Education Grants Council (manages funding and grants)
Each vertical will consist of experts with integrity and experience, ensuring specialized focus while maintaining overall coherence.
Addressing Concerns from Past Attempts
The 2018 version of this bill faced criticism around centralization of power and reduced autonomy for universities. It did not merge AICTE and NCTE fully, limiting its scope.
The new bill fixes these problems by including all regulatory functions and empowering the commission to oversee effective functioning while funding remains with the government.
Potential Impact on India’s Higher Education
If implemented well, the HECI Bill 2025 will empower colleges and universities to become self-governing bodies and raise education standards. It intends to promote quality, transparency, and efficiency, aligning with India’s goal of becoming a global education hub.
Conclusion
The Higher Education Commission of India Bill 2025 marks a significant step toward reforming higher education regulation. While challenges remain, it aims to create a streamlined, expert-driven, and autonomous system geared toward educational excellence and institutional freedom.