The Ministry of Education is in the process of drafting a bill to establish the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) as a unified regulatory body for the higher education sector, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday.

Union minister of state for education Sukanta Majumdar, in a written reply, said the proposed body aligns with the vision outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The NEP recommends a “light but tight” regulatory framework aimed at promoting transparency, efficiency, and innovation in higher education.

HECI is envisioned as an umbrella organisation comprising four independent verticals responsible for regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standard setting. It will replace existing bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).

The UGC currently oversees non-technical higher education, AICTE regulates technical education, and NCTE governs teacher education programmes.

The idea of HECI was first floated through a draft bill in 2018, which proposed repealing the UGC Act and invited public feedback. The initiative has since gained momentum, particularly under the leadership of Dharmendra Pradhan, who assumed charge as Union Education Minister in July 2021.

The NEP 2020 emphasises the need for a streamlined regulatory system to revitalise higher education and facilitate its growth.

Also Read: Faculty strength with PhDs concentrated in top 100 institutions: Ministry of Education