NDA-ruled States, universities object to centralisation provisions in VBSA, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 proposes to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) with a single apex body, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA).
• Several NDA-ruled States, including Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Meghalaya, along with central and state universities, have raised objections to the Bill.
• The primary concern is the centralisation of powers over higher education regulation, potentially undermining the autonomy of states and institutions.
• The Bill is currently under review by a joint parliamentary committee headed by BJP MP D. Purandeswari.

Detailed Insights:

• Andhra Pradesh, a Telugu Desam Party ruled state, argued that provisions in the Bill could render its legislative authority over higher education ineffective.
• Clause 11, which allows the Regulatory Council to bypass state universities in granting degrees, was highlighted as a source of potential "constitutional friction".
• Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya recommended clearer definitions of powers between the Centre and States and increased state representation in the proposed regulatory council.
• Central universities like Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and IIIT Chittoor expressed concerns that the Bill could subordinate the regulator to the executive.
• Clause 45 empowers the Centre to issue binding policy directions to the VBSA, raising questions about the independence of the regulatory body.
• Clause 47 allows the Centre to supersede or dissolve the VBSA, which institutions fear could lead to arbitrary interventions.
• Telangana, a Congress-ruled state, noted that the Bill does not adequately recognize the role of state governments and could lead to fee escalation due to insufficient regulation.
• Institutions have called for phased implementation of the Bill, parliamentary oversight of the Centre's powers, and mandatory consultation with states.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA): The proposed single apex body intended to regulate higher education in India, replacing existing multiple regulators.
• University Grants Commission (UGC): A statutory body responsible for the coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards of university education in India.
• All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE): A statutory body for planning, formulation, and maintenance of norms and standards in technical education across the country.
• National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE): A statutory body established for the planned and coordinated development of the teacher education system throughout India.
• Federalism: A system of government where power is constitutionally divided between a central authority and various constituent political units, such as states.