The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, that seeks to regulate higher education institutions has the potential to create a severe crisis in the higher education sector, Minister for Higher Education R. Bindu has said.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, the Minister said the Bill went against federal principles and brought higher education, which was on the Concurrent List, fully within the purview of the Union government.
The Bill would take forward centralisation of powers that was seen in other sectors in the higher education sector too. Union government policies would be imposed on the State government and the higher education sector.
According to two clauses – 45 and 47, higher education councils had to work according to the Union government policies and decisions. This could lead to loss of autonomy, the Minister said.
Earlier, grants were limited but now all would be channelled through the Union Education Ministry, Dr. Bindu said.
She expressed apprehension that the Bill provided for uniformity in curriculum and syllabus and other academic matters even in universities funded and monitored by the State government, leading to far-reaching consequences.
The Minister said the Bill gave the VBSA umbrella commission punitive powers to impose penalties ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹2 crore on higher education institutions for violations.
Dr. Bindu said activities to create public awareness of the Bill would be organised. Kerala would continue to lead protests against the Bill, similar to that organised against the UGC Draft Regulations.
Responding to questions on whether the long delay in appointment of Vice-Chancellors to two State-run universities could have been avoided, Dr. Bindu said the government had taken the initiative for truce many times.
Minister P. Rajeeve and she had visited the Governor earlier too. Now, the Chief Minister had met the Governor and held conciliatory talks. The Supreme Court too had asked the Governor and the Chief Minister to reach a consensus.
Asked whether the appointment of Ciza Thomas as the V-C of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University would lead to disagreements and stalemates, Dr. Bindu said there was no need for discord if one worked objectively.
Dr. Bindu denied that the government had to compromise on the issue of V-C appointments. “This will be of relief to the State’s higher education sector. The uncertainty that existed could not continue any longer. Appointment of V-Cs to other universities also needs to be done. The hope is that the best candidates will be selected through mutual understanding.”
Published – December 17, 2025 08:13 pm IST
