Congress urges NDA States to oppose VBSA Bill on higher education

Published 10 July 2026 · politics

Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh on Friday (July 10, 2026) urged NDA-ruled States, particularly Andhra Pradesh, to oppose the proposed Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan

Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh on Friday (July 10, 2026) urged NDA-ruled States, particularly Andhra Pradesh, to oppose the proposed Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan 2025 Bill when it comes up during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Sharing The Hindu’s report on consultations held by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Bill, where NDA-ruled States have objected to many provisions in the Bill that lead to greater centralisation of higher education, Mr. Ramesh called on these governments to submit dissent notes and resist what he termed the “Very Bad Shiksha Act”. Andhra Pradesh has presented the strongest objections to the draft legislation.

Addressing Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Mr. Ramesh posted on X that if he believed the Bill harmed States’ interests, then he should “stand up boldly and be counted”. Encroaches on State’s powers The Congress leader argued that the Bill exceeds Parliament’s powers under Entry 66 of the Union List, which is limited to coordination and determination of standards in higher education. According to him, the proposed framework encroaches on powers that belong to State governments, including matters relating to the incorporation, regulation and winding up of universities. Ramesh also criticised the absence of a dedicated grants council in the new structure.

He said the Education Policy, 2020 had proposed a Higher Education Council of India with four verticals, including one for grant allocation. The Bill, however, provides for only three councils. As a result, he argued, grant disbursal powers currently exercised by bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) would shift to the Union Education Ministry, increasing central control and reducing institutional autonomy. He further expressed concern that the Bill would apply to Institutes of Importance, including the IITs, IIMs, NITs, IIITs and IISERs. These institutions currently enjoy substantial autonomy under existing laws, he said.

A provision giving the proposed legislation overriding effect over other laws could eventually bring them under the regulatory control of the new commission. Reduces consultative mechanisms Ramesh also contended that the Bill weakens existing consultative mechanisms under the UGC Act. While the UGC is required to consult universities on matters relating to standards, regulations and inspections, the proposed law grants wide powers to the new councils to frame standards, conduct inspections and exercise regulatory functions without a similar statutory requirement for consultation, he said.