New Delhi, 16 December (H.S.): The Lok Sabha on Tuesday forwarded the Vikshit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan Bill 2025 to a joint parliamentary committee, streamlining regulatory frameworks for higher education institutions through a simplified oversight mechanism.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan proposed the referral after introducing the legislation on Monday, securing voice vote approval despite the Speaker Om Birla querying the Opposition's silence on the matter.

The 21-member panel, comprising 11 Lok Sabha and 10 Rajya Sabha members nominated by the respective presiding officers, will scrutinize provisions establishing the Vikshit Bharat Education Foundation alongside three councils to foster self-governing universities excelling in teaching, research, and innovation.

The foundational body will coordinate standards across the regulatory council for compliance, quality council for accreditation oversight, and standards council for academic benchmarks, while repealing the University Grants Commission Act 1956, All India Council for Technical Education Act 1987, and National Council for Teacher Education Act 1993.

Pradhan emphasized the bill's aim to elevate institutions toward autonomy, transparency, and global competitiveness, replacing fragmented regulations with cohesive governance for holistic higher education advancement.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar