New Bill Aims for Unified Higher Education Regulator in Upcoming Parliament Session

New Delhi, a bill to establish a single higher education regulator that will replace existing bodies such as the UGC is set to be introduced in the upcoming winter session of Parliament, commencing on December 1.

According to a Lok Sabha bulletin, this proposed legislation is called the Higher Education Commission of India Bill.

The Higher Education Commission of India, introduced in the new National Education Policy, aims to replace the University Grants Commission, the All India Council for Technical Education, and the National Council for Teacher Education.

While the UGC oversees non-technical higher education, the AICTE handles technical education, and the NCTE is responsible for teachers' education.

The HECI is envisioned as a comprehensive higher education regulator, although it will not cover medical and law colleges. Its primary functions will include regulation, accreditation, and setting professional standards.

Funding, regarded as a fourth aspect, will remain under the control of the administrative ministry, separate from HECI.

The concept of HECI has previously been discussed and was included in a draft bill in 2018, which aimed to repeal the UGC Act and establish the Higher Education Commission of India.

Efforts to actualize the HECI gained momentum under Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who took office in July 2021.

The NEP-2020 document emphasizes the importance of a single higher education regulator, stating that the regulatory framework requires a complete overhaul to invigorate the higher education sector.

It advocates for distinct, independent, and empowered bodies to handle regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standard setting.