The new bill proposes a single higher education body replacing UGC, AICTE and NCTE, aiming to streamline regulation and oversight
IITs, IIMs and IISc will come under routine regulatory oversight, marking a major shift from their earlier statutory autonomy
Despite 1,300 universities and 52,000 colleges, enrolment is just 28%, with persistent faculty shortages and weak research outcomes
Over half of professor-level posts remain vacant, even in premier institutions, undermining academic leadership and research capacity
Direct grant disbursal by the Centre may centralise control, while silence on fee regulation risks higher costs for students
Clear rules, Centre–state coordination, and focus on skills and industry links are crucial as the bill undergoes parliamentary scrutiny