New Delhi: A parliamentary panel examining the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025 has proposed a series of safeguards to address concerns raised by Institutions of National Importance (INIs), states and universities, recommending stronger statutory protection for premier institutions, a bigger role for states in the proposed regulator and tighter checks on the Centre's powers.The Joint Parliamentary Committee, chaired by BJP MP D Purandeswari, has broadly endorsed the government's proposal to replace the UGC, AICTE and NCTE with a single higher education regulator, but has suggested several changes to strengthen institutional autonomy, cooperative federalism and transparency. The draft report is expected to be adopted next week.Also Read: Students get nearly 10,000 more MBBS seats this yearThe recommendations follow consultations with more than 100 stakeholders, many of whom warned that the proposed framework could centralise higher education regulation unless safeguards were built into the law.Issue of FederalismThe panel also sought to address concerns of states including its ally TDP-led Andhra Pradesh government over excessive centralisation. It recommended wider representation of States and Union Territories in the proposed regulatory structure by giving them rotational representation in the Standards Council, one of the three bodies under the new regulator responsible for framing academic standards.Language & CultureThe committee recommended retaining Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan as the official name while using both Hindi and English nomenclature in official communications. It also "concurred with setting up a dedicated Bharatiya Jnan Parampara (Knowledge Systems) Cells but through rules-not in the Act itself-to provide for its institutional framework, staffing and funding.Autonomy of INIsThe panel recommended that the statutory protection available to institutions remain explicit in the law and not be left entirely to regulations. It said rules framed under Section 49 should be prepared only after mandatory consultation with INIs.Also Read: SC raises concerns over CBSE move to add third language in Class 9Grant disbursalThe panel rejected concerns over centralisation of funding, backing the government's decision to keep grant disbursal outside the proposed regulator.Mandatory consultationSeeking to preserve the consultative nature of the present UGC framework, the committee recommended making stakeholder consultation a statutory requirement.It proposed mandatory consultation with universities and state governments before regulations are notified, along with a 60-day public consultation and Regulatory Impact Assessment for major regulatory changes.