Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill: Why the Proposed UGC Replacement Has Critics Worried

The VBSA bill replaces the UGC with an umbrella body overseeing three specialised councils. Critics argue the architecture concentrates power in the central government, undermines state universities, and says nothing about public funding.

The VBSA oversees a Regulation Council, Accreditation Council, and Academic Standards Council. All chairs and members are appointed by the central government, which can also remove them or supersede the bodies.

NEP 2020 called for 'independent and empowered' bodies that eliminate concentrations of power. Critics argue the VBSA bill achieves the opposite — shifting control rather than distributing it.

State governments fund institutions enrolling over 80% of India's higher education students. Under VBSA, states get one rotating seat out of 15 and no representation on the three Councils. The centre will control recruitment, syllabi, and institutional existence.

The VBSA can penalise institutions, derecognise degrees, and recommend closures. Appeals go to the central government — the same body that appoints and can remove the VBSA's decision-makers.

The bill has no provision for state funding mandates, no framework to regulate commercialisation, and no equity or access requirements. Critics say this formalises the state's retreat from the public purpose of higher education.

The VBSA is substantially similar to the HECI bill of 2018, withdrawn after political resistance on centralisation grounds. The current bill adds architectural complexity but does not change the underlying approach to power.

The Ministry of Education maintains higher education policy at education.gov.in. The bill is under review by the Standing Committee of Parliament.