‘UGC-like funding powers to fall under Shiksha Adhishthan’, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The Education Ministry is considering a UGC-like grants-disbursal mechanism under the proposed Shiksha Adhishthan.
• This decision follows the introduction of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, aimed at separating grant allocation from higher education regulation.
• The Joint Committee of Parliament, led by BJP MP D. Purandeshwari, is examining the bill.
• Opposition MPs have raised concerns about centralised control and the "skeletal" nature of the bill.

Detailed Insights:

• The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 was initially intended to minimize conflict of interest by separating grant disbursal from regulatory functions.
• Currently, the UGC disburses monthly grants to Central Universities and releases funds under its schemes based on quality, accreditation, and NIRF ranking.
• The government aims to devise similar qualitative processes under Shiksha Adhishthan, mirroring the UGC's current system.
• Opposition parties fear the proposed structure will lead to a "super-regulator", undermining the principles of federalism due to the Centre's control over State representation.
• The bill's lack of specific details has drawn criticism, with some members arguing that the government is seeking approval without revealing the full scope of its plans.

Key Concepts Involved:

• UGC (University Grants Commission): A statutory body responsible for the coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards of higher education in India.
• NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework): A methodology adopted by the Ministry of Education to rank higher education institutions in India based on various parameters.
• Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units (such as states or provinces).