Vakst Bharat Education Foundation Bill sent to Parliament's Joint Committee

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday referred a bill to create a simplified regulatory system for higher educational institutions to a parliamentary joint committee. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan moved a proposal to send the 'Developing India Education Foundation Bill 2025' to a joint committee, which was accepted by a voice vote. The minister had introduced the bill in the House for consideration yesterday.

The bill provides for the establishment of a Developed India Education Foundation with three councils. The government had announced its intention to send the bill to a joint committee. The bill will be sent to a 21-member parliamentary committee, comprising 11 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. The decision on the committees will be taken by the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

During the voice voting on the bill, when the opposition did not say anything, Speaker Om Birla asked if they did not want to send it to the joint committee. Introducing the bill yesterday, Education Minister Pradhan said the law attempts to establish a 'Develop India Education Foundation' to set standards in higher educational institutions, consolidate regulations, and promote excellence, autonomy, and transparent accreditation.

He said the purpose of the law is to help universities and other higher educational institutions become autonomous bodies. The objective of the bill is to enable universities and higher educational institutions to demonstrate excellence in teaching, learning, research, and innovation and ensure better alignment and standard of educational standards. The bill also proposes to repeal the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, the All India Council for Technical Education Act, 1987, and the National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993.

Vikasit Bharat Shiksha Pratishthan will be a high-level body that will provide guiding principles for the overall development of higher education and establish a link between all councils. The Regulatory Council will oversee compliance with standards, the Quality Council will oversee the accreditation system, and the Standards Council will set educational standards.