Negotiating federalism in higher education, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Higher education in India is a critical arena reflecting the evolving dynamics of Indian federalism, with increasing Centre-State tensions over regulatory authority and policy implementation.
• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has become a focal point for these tensions, particularly regarding the three-language formula and the expansion of central influence.
• Disputes over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors and the powers of Governors in states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and West Bengal highlight federal challenges.
• The Union government, through bodies like the UGC and the Ministry of Education, exerts significant control, often linking central funding to compliance with national reform agendas.
• States are increasingly engaging in strategic adaptation of central policies, selectively implementing aspects of reforms based on local political contexts rather than outright rejection.

Detailed Insights:

• Education falls under the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution, granting both the Union and State governments legislative authority, yet the Union's influence is growing.
• The NEP 2020 proposes significant reforms such as four-year undergraduate programmes, an Academic Bank of Credits, and multidisciplinary universities, expanding central oversight.
• Initiatives like Institutions of Eminence and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation further enhance the Union government's leverage over state higher education.
• Proposed legislation like the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, aiming to replace the UGC, raises concerns about the potential erosion of state authority.
• Digital governance mechanisms, including the Academic Bank of Credits, enable the Union government to standardize and monitor higher education across states.
• States with strong regional identities often perceive central reforms as constitutional questions concerning the balance of power within the Indian Union.
• Many states, including those ruled by opposition parties, are strategically adapting central policies, particularly in areas like internationalization and establishing foreign university campuses.
• This strategic adaptation indicates a more negotiated federalism, where implementation of central policies heavily relies on state governments for administrative clearances and support.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Federalism: A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, like states.
• Concurrent List: A list in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, detailing subjects on which both the Union and State governments can legislate.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: A comprehensive framework introduced by the Government of India to guide the development of education in the country.
• Academic Bank of Credits (ABC): A digital repository that stores academic credits earned by students, allowing for transferability and flexibility in higher education.