The Government of India has introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan (VBSA) Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha, aiming to consolidate multiple higher education regulators into a single, strengthened umbrella commission supported by a digital one-stop regulatory platform. The bill, previously known as the HECI Bill, was submitted on 15 December 2025 as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 reforms, which seek to shift from fragmented, compliance-heavy oversight to an outcomes-focused system based on autonomy, quality, transparency, and separation of functions.
The bill positions internationalisation as a strategic priority, aiming to establish India as a global knowledge hub by adopting international best practices in regulation, accreditation, and quality assurance. This framework is expected to enhance global credibility, competitiveness, and cross-border collaboration while enabling Indian institutions to expand their presence overseas.
Key elements of the VBSA Bill include the creation of a single regulator by merging the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), structured with three internal councils to streamline standards, approvals, and quality oversight. A centralised digital regulatory platform will facilitate approvals, compliance, and communication, reducing duplication, improving transparency, and accelerating decision-making.
The Bill also separates regulation from funding, with the Ministry of Education directly handling grant disbursement, and introduces stronger compliance mechanisms, including monetary penalties and de-recognition for non-compliant institutions. Accreditation and recognition processes are rationalised to include standalone and specialised institutions, although medical and legal education remain outside its scope.
Following its introduction, the Bill has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed scrutiny, reflecting the reform’s wide-ranging impact. Passage is now likely to extend into 2026, pending the JPC report and further parliamentary debate, after which implementation details, transitional arrangements, and regulations will be issued.
For UK universities, the bill signals a move toward a more coherent and predictable regulatory environment in India, although transitional challenges are expected. Indian institutions like IITs and IIMs, previously outside UGC and AICTE oversight, will now fall under the unified regulatory structure while retaining core autonomy. UK higher education institutions partnering with Indian counterparts may need to reassess current agreements and delivery models to align with the emerging framework. A measured, well-informed approach will help international institutions adapt to India’s evolving higher education landscape.
