Bihar Govt Plans Draft Bill To Bring Degree Colleges Under State Control, Ending Governor's Oversight

Published 16 July 2026 · education

Bihar Govt Plans Draft Bill To Bring Degree Colleges Under State Control, Ending Governor's Oversight Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 09:25 IST Bihar

Bihar Govt Plans Draft Bill To Bring Degree Colleges Under State Control, Ending Governor's Oversight Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 09:25 IST Bihar is set to introduce a draft higher education bill to bring over 500 degree colleges under direct state control, and introduce major changes for teachers. Bihar plans to introduce a draft law bringing over 500 degree colleges under direct control of the Higher Education Department while restructuring the state's university system (Photo: PTI) The Bihar government is preparing to introduce a new higher education legislation during the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Assembly that could fundamentally restructure the state’s university system. According to The Indian Express, the proposed law seeks to separate undergraduate degree colleges from state universities and place more than 500 constituent colleges directly under the control of a newly created Department of Higher Education. The move comes as Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday inaugurated 211 new degree colleges across Bihar and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to expanding higher education infrastructure, improving access to quality education, and creating employment opportunities. UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGES MAY BE SHIFTED OUT OF UNIVERSITY CONTROL According to the report, the proposed legislation would bring all constituent colleges offering undergraduate degrees under the direct administrative control of the Department of Higher Education. Universities would primarily oversee postgraduate education, effectively limiting the Governor’s role as Chancellor to the postgraduate level.

At present, Bihar has 21 state universities that administer both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Raj Bhavan has not publicly opposed the proposal. Governor Syed Ata Hasnain, while speaking at an event on July 12, confirmed that a new higher education bill would be introduced during the upcoming Assembly session. According to a Raj Bhavan statement cited by The Indian Express, the Governor said, “Serious efforts are being made to make the higher education system in the state more effective and quality-oriented." He also expressed hope that the legislation would be introduced during the Assembly session, adding, “The creation of any important law is the result of extensive study, deep deliberation, and continuous hard work." Sources in Raj Bhavan and the Higher Education Department were quoted as saying that both newly established degree colleges and existing constituent colleges would come directly under the Department of Higher Education. The proposed law would also transfer responsibility for policy decisions, promotions, and administrative matters relating to college teachers and staff from universities to the Higher Education Department. TEACHERS TO FACE NEW RULES According to the report, the draft legislation contains several significant reforms for college faculty. Teachers would not be allowed to participate in political activities or publicly support, write about, or propagate any political ideology. The proposal also envisages appointing a Higher Education Officer in every district to monitor colleges, on the lines of the District Education Officer system that oversees schools.