Education Ministry Proposes UGC-like Funding Powers for Shiksha Adhishthan Bill 2025
The Education Ministry has informed a Joint Committee of Parliament that the proposed Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, will incorporate a UGC-like mechanism for grants disbursement. Initially, the Bill aimed to separate funding powers from the regulatory framework to avoid conflicts of interest. However, the Ministry now plans to devise and adopt similar qualitative processes for grants under the Shiksha Adhishthan. Opposition MPs raised concerns about potential centralized control, arguing it would create a "super-regulator" and undermine federalism. They also criticized the Bill as "skeletal," lacking crucial details that would be determined later through rules.
Key Points
- The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, initially aimed to separate funding from regulatory powers in higher education.
- The Education Ministry now proposes to integrate a UGC-like grants-disbursal mechanism under the Shiksha Adhishthan.
- Opposition MPs expressed concerns that this move could lead to centralized control, creating a "super-regulator" and violating federalism principles.
- The Bill was criticized for being "skeletal," with many crucial details left to be defined through subsequent rules.
- The Joint Committee of Parliament is examining the Bill, with members from various political parties raising objections.
Exam Facts
- The Bill is named Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025.
- The Joint Committee of Parliament is led by BJP MP D. Purandeshwari.
- The UGC currently disburses monthly grants to Central Universities.
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