Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill: A New Era in Higher Education or Centralization Threat?

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured that the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, will not diminish institutional autonomy. The Bill aims to merge existing educational regulators into a single commission, aligning with NEP 2020. Opposition voices express concerns over potential centralization of education authority.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has responded to opposition apprehensions regarding the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, emphasizing that it will not compromise the autonomy of educational institutions. He reassured that states will continue to hold their current powers under the proposed legislation.

Pradhan introduced a resolution seeking to refer the Bill to a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament, which was approved by a voice vote. The Bill aims to unify three existing regulatory bodies into one commission, underlining its alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Manish Tewari, have voiced concerns that the Bill could lead to centralization of educational control. Critics argue it offers excessive delegation of legislative power and may consolidate decision-making authority with the central government, countering the Constitution's spirit.

(With inputs from agencies.)