Universities call for clear framework for disbursal of grants under VBSA Bill
The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill heard demands for a separate, clearly defined grant-disbursal mechanism after the proposed replacement of the University Grants Commission.
- The University Grants Commission is currently the main statutory channel for central development grants to universities.
- The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill proposes a single umbrella commission and separate councils for regulation, accreditation and standards.
- The proposed Bill removes grant-giving powers from the regulator, creating uncertainty about the future funding channel.
- Jamia Millia Islamia asked for clarity on how grants would continue under the proposed structure.
What happened
The Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill heard universities and higher-education institutions ask the Centre to clarify how grants will be disbursed after the proposed new regulatory structure comes into force.
The Bill proposes to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) with a single umbrella commission and separate councils for regulation, accreditation and standards.
UPSC may test whether candidates can distinguish between regulation, accreditation, standards-setting, and grant disbursal in India’s higher-education architecture, and assess the implications for state universities and cooperative federalism.
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