The opposition has questioned the government about the increasing centralisation of higher education regulation proposed in the Bill, the sidelining of State representation which will be decided by the Centre, and the future funding mechanism for public universities. The Education Ministry has now submitted that the grants-disbursal powers that the UGC currently exercises will, in fact, come “under” the Shiksha Adhishthan. | Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma
In response to the Andhra Pradesh government’s concerns over “centralisation” of powers in the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill (VBSA), 2025, the Union Education Ministry has agreed to several changes, including adding a provision requiring the proposed Regulatory Council to get the State government’s clearance before making any key decisions about colleges affiliated to State universities.The VBSA Bill, introduced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in December 2025, intends to replace the UGC, the AICTE, and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) with a 12-member umbrella Commission known as the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan, under which three separate councils — for regulation, accreditation, and standards-setting - will be operating.The opposition has questioned the government about the increasing centralisation of higher education regulation proposed in the Bill, the sidelining of State representation which will be decided by the Centre, and the future funding mechanism for public universities. The Education Ministry has now submitted that the grants-disbursal powers that the UGC currently exercises will, in fact, come “under” the Shiksha Adhishthan.The Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill on July 18, 2026 cancelled its July 20 meeting where the Bill’s draft report was to be adopted. To discuss the issues, The Hindu will host a webinar titled, ‘Is VBSA Bill perfect now?’, on July 25, 2026.Register now for free to ask questions and interact with the panellists. The three best questions will receive a free online subscription to The Hindu.PanellistsMamidala Jagadesh Kumar, former Chairman, UGCMamidala Jagadesh Kumar is an Indian academic, electrical engineer and education administrator. He is the former Chairman of University Grants Commission, serving from February 2022 to April 2025. He served as a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Delhi.G. Madhu Kumar, CEO, Dr. L. Bullayya CollegesG. Madhu Kumar is a Chemical Engineer turned entrepreneur in the areas of aquaculture, processing and export of sea foods, ship management and shipping services. He is currently involved as CEO and Secretary to the governing board of 50+ years old Dr. L. Bullayya Colleges in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh offering Bachelor and Master’s degrees in the areas of Arts, Commerce, Sciences, Management and Engineering.Rajan Gurukkal, Historian and Social ScientistRajan Gurukkal is a Historian and Social Scientist, former Vice Chancellor Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam, Soundar Rajan Chairman Visiting Professor IISc Bangalore, and till recently Vice Chairman Kerala State Higher Education Council.(For any feedback or suggestions, reach out to us at education@thehindu.co.in) Published - July 22, 2026 05:29 pm IST
