UGC, AICTE, NCTE To Be Replaced Under Viksit Bharat Education Bill

The Union Cabinet has approved the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill, marking a major overhaul of India’s higher education regulatory system. The proposed law, earlier known as the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, aims to replace existing regulators — the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) — with a single overarching body.

The new regulator will be responsible for regulation, accreditation, and setting academic standards across higher education institutions. The move is in line with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which called for reducing regulatory overlap, simplifying governance, and improving quality and transparency in the sector.

Why is the government bringing this law?

The reform is aimed at fixing long-standing issues in India’s higher education system, such as overlapping regulations, multiple approvals, and slow decision-making.
Under the current system, UGC, AICTE, and NCTE often regulate similar areas, creating confusion for institutions.

Aligned with NEP 2020, the new law seeks to:

Simplify regulation with one single authority
Improve quality, transparency, and accountability
Reduce red tape and promote academic autonomy
Make Indian universities more globally competitive

When will it start?

The Union Cabinet has approved the Bill
It is expected to be introduced in Parliament in the upcoming session
Once passed and notified, the new regulator will be set up in phases
Full implementation is likely to begin within 1–2 years, allowing a smooth transition from existing bodies

What will be the impact?

For Students

More uniform academic standards across institutions
Better quality assurance and transparency
Easier recognition of degrees across India

For Colleges & Universities

Single-window regulation instead of multiple approvals
Greater academic freedom with outcome-based regulation
Faster decision-making and reduced compliance burden

For the Education System

End of fragmented regulation
Stronger accreditation framework
Alignment with global best practices
A major structural reform in line with Viksit Bharat goals

The Bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament in the coming session. If enacted, it would bring one of the biggest structural changes to India’s higher education system in decades, affecting universities, colleges, faculty members, and millions of students nationwide.

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