Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan Bill, 2025 |
The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan Bill, 2025 proposes to statutorily pave the way for centralisation, commercialisation, and privatisation of higher education in India. As envisaged, the VBSA will result in the onset of conditions of extreme privatisation. The state governments need to immediately intervene in this matter. The bill allows the decision-making on higher education institutions to become one-dimensional, promoting hyper-globalisation rather than national innovation for self-reliance and social justice. It will end the obligation of the union government to promote education as a publicly funded enterprise for the common good.
The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025 can fundamentally change the future of higher education governance in India. It covers state as well as central higher education institutions (HEIs) and seeks to govern them through the Prime Minister’s Office, a case of extreme centralisation. The higher education grants remain under the control of the Ministry of Education (MoE). The VBSA centralises the other three important functions, namely regulations, accreditation, and standards. The VBSA Commission lacks not only federal representation but also the enabling mechanisms for the centre and state collaboration for the joint implementation of three functions. This will further widen the gaps and inequalities between the central and state institutions.
To continue reading, become a subscriber.
Explore our attractive subscription offers.
To gain instant access to this article (download).
(Readers outside India)