Draft Bill In The Works To Replace UGC, AICTE, NCTE: Education Ministry Informs Lok Sabha
"The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions a 'light but tight' regulatory framework to ensure integrity, transparency, and resource efficiency in the education system through audit and public disclosure, while promoting innovation, autonomy, and good governance," said Sukanta Majumdar.
As outlined in the NEP, the proposed HECI will function as an umbrella body with separate verticals dedicated to regulation, accreditation, funding, and setting academic standards. It is intended to replace existing regulatory bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
Majumdar further added, "The NEP proposes the creation of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) as a comprehensive body with independent verticals for regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standard-setting. In line with this vision, the Ministry is currently drafting the HECI bill."
At present, the UGC is responsible for regulating non-technical higher education, the AICTE oversees technical education, and the NCTE governs teacher education. The concept of bringing these functions under a single regulator was first introduced in a 2018 draft bill that sought to repeal the UGC Act and was later released for public consultation.
Efforts to establish the HECI picked up pace after Dharmendra Pradhan took charge as Union Education Minister in July 2021.
The idea of forming a unified higher education regulator was first introduced in a draft bill in 2018. The Higher Education Commission of India (Repeal of University Grants Commission Act) Bill, which aimed to repeal the UGC Act and create the HECI, was made public that year for feedback and consultation with stakeholders.
Reinforcing the need for such reform, the NEP 2020 states, "the regulatory system is in need of a complete overhaul in order to re-energise the higher education sector and enable it to thrive."
The NEP thereby stresses the need for a complete overhaul of the current regulatory structure to modernise India's higher education system and align it with global standards.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
16 minutes ago
- India Today
A nation without school teachers: Who will teach the next generation?
In a school in Bihar, the bell rings sharp at 9 a.m. But the classroom is silent. There are no teachers none at all. Just rows of confused children sitting in uniform, waiting. In the heart of Bihar, as of August 2025, around 29 schools report zero teachers, while nearly 354 schools have just one, and 2,977 schools manage with only two, as per a directive from the Additional Chief Secretary aiming to ensure a bare minimum staff of three teachers per primary 14,213 schools in the state exceed a pupilteacher ratio (PTR) of 40:1, far above the NEP2020 ideal of 30:1 (and 25:1 in disadvantaged areas)This isn't an isolated glitch , it's the new not a lack of students. It's not even always a lack of money. It's something far more dangerous: a global shortage of people willing to BROKEN PIPELINE: POSTS SANCTIONED, BUT SEATS STILL EMPTYDespite grand reforms like the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), India is facing a crippling shortage of qualified teachers—particularly in rural and government Ground Reality:14,213 schools in Bihar have a pupil–teacher ratio (PTR) higher than the legal limit of 40:1.29 schools in the state have no teacher at 2,977 schools are run by just two states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, recruitment delays stretch over months, often years. Exams are held, results are delayed, and appointments are frozen by legal battles or lack of political Kumar, Founder of Super 30 once commented on rediff saying 'There is no substitute for teachers Very few people want to become teachers, though just everyone in the society wants the best teacher for his/her wards. India has huge vacancies just anyone is made a teacher, which is affecting the quality.'THE FALLOUT:In West Bengal, 25,753 teachers were sacked in a recruitment scam scandal, leading to violent protests and legal chaos. Many say they were unfairly dismissed, collateral damage in a political Odisha, over 6,000 retired teachers are being rehired as "guest faculty" due to a desperate shortage of trained are left fending for their children's education. Students, especially in rural areas, rely increasingly on poorly trained contractual teachers or self-study. The ideal of equitable education is cracking at the BROKEN PROMISES, AND BLEEDING CLASSROOMS India's crisis is mirrored shockingly in developed nations once seen as benchmarks for public STATES: BURNOUT REPLACING BOOKSTeacher turnover is rising again, with 7% of teachers quitting every year, up from 6% before the Houston ISD, over 2,300 teachers quit between June 2024 and June 2025, citing a toxic mix of micromanagement, lack of autonomy, and overwhelming pressure to East Baton Rouge, only 3 out of every 10 teachers stay beyond five years. Each loss costs the district up to $25, causes are clear: low pay, unsafe environments (especially post-school shootings), excessive testing, and chronic disrespect for the profession. The American dream of shaping minds is now a path many educators are sprinting away CLASSROOMS WITHOUT TEACHERSThe country faces a shortfall of 4,000+ secondary teachers by half of Australian teachers are considering quitting within the next 12 in schools is rising, workloads are unsustainable, and many teachers work 48+ hours a week, unpaid beyond the government is scrambling. They've introduced $160 million in scholarships for aspiring teachers. But no scholarship can replace respect, dignity, or work-life balance. The profession is losing not just workers—but its DRIVING THIS GLOBAL EXODUS?Across borders and systems, the reasons echo Threads:Burnout: Teachers are overwhelmed with admin work, large class sizes, and emotional Pay: In many regions, teacher salaries have stagnated or fallen behind Growth: Career ladders are unclear or The profession is no longer aspirational. From parents to policymakers, teachers are treated like replaceable when they leave? They're not just quitting jobs. They're quitting futures of students, of schools, and of AND AI: HELP OR HINDRANCE?In India and globally, edtech was touted as a savior. Platforms like Byju's, Coursera, and Khan Academy promised to "democratize education". But here's the problem: tech can supplement a teacher it cannot replace can grade essays, but it can't read between the lines of a troubled student's lessons can inform, but they cannot no app can manage a classroom or mentor a real teachers vanish, the human core of education goes with them. When real teachers vanish, the human core of education goes with them. TEMPORARY FIXES, LONG-TERM DAMAGEGovernments are rushing to fill gaps with band-aids:India: Rehiring retirees, guest teachers, and untrained Promising cash and fast-tracked Recruiting from abroad (including India and the Philippines) to plug these are symptoms of denial, not solutions. The profession needs structural surgery, not sugar NEEDS TO CHANGE?Pay Teachers What They're WorthCompetitive salaries must reflect the critical role of Administrative LoadTeachers must teach—not spend hours buried in compliance Teaching Prestigious AgainPublic respect, media representation, and growth opportunities Mental HealthInstitutional mechanisms for stress, trauma, and burnout must be built and Train RegularlyNo reform can work if there's no one left to implement crisis in teaching isn't just about vacant posts or crumbling salaries it's about a deep, systemic neglect of the very people tasked with shaping the minds of the future. When teachers feel undervalued, overworked, and invisible, the classroom becomes a hollow is not merely an education issue. It's a social emergency. A country that sidelines its teachers cannot expect its students to thrive. If the nation continues to ignore the warning signs burnout, mass resignations, and vanishing respect we won't just have a shortage of teachers; we'll have a shortage of question now isn't just "Where are all the good teachers going?" It's, "What will we do to bring them back?"- Ends
News18
21 minutes ago
- News18
NCERT Forms Panel After Row Over Maratha Map In New Class 8 Social Science Textbook
NCERT has formed a committee to review feedback on a Class 8 textbook map showing parts of Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer, as under the Maratha empire. Amid a controversy over a map in the new Class 8 social science textbook showing parts of Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer, as being under the Maratha empire, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has formed a committee to examine feedback regarding the content. In a statement issued on Thursday, NCERT said, 'At present, NCERT has received feedback about the educational content in a few textbooks. Hence, a committee is being constituted, comprising senior experts, as per established practice. This committee will examine the feedback in light of the available evidences and submit its report at the earliest possible." Although the NCERT did not directly refer to the current row, its response comes after Chaitanya Raj Singh, a descendant of the erstwhile princely state of Jaisalmer, objected to the map. In a post on X earlier this week, Singh said that the depiction of Jaisalmer as part of the Maratha empire was 'historically misleading, factually baseless, and deeply objectionable." 'There are no authentic historical sources that mention any Maratha dominance, invasion, taxation, or authority over Jaisalmer," Singh wrote. 'If they are [incorrect], a revised map will be prepared based on the best information available, and submitted for future editions of the textbook," he said. 'We are fully open to error correction." Danino explained that the chapter was prepared in consultation with two subject experts on the Maratha period, and that nowhere in the chapter, including the map, is Jaisalmer specifically mentioned. He also clarified that the map was based on earlier published maps that had not attracted objections before and were already in the public domain. According to Danino, the maps represent not only areas directly ruled by the Marathas, but also regions that paid tributes or were under some form of agreement with them. 'While such maps freeze territories at one point in time, the actual context was of course much more complex, fluid, and fast evolving. A single map cannot encapsulate the whole story of the Maratha empire," he noted. He also acknowledged that due to the tight timelines for developing the new textbooks in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, the contributors often had to rely on secondary sources. While the Class 7 textbook contains a disclaimer that map boundaries are approximate, this was not included in the Class 8 book. Danino admitted that the team should have used the same caveat for all historical maps in the new edition. 'A committee is constituted. This committee comprises high-level domain experts from reputed institutions and faculty members from the relevant subject area, with the convenorship of the Head of the Curriculum Department. The committee carefully deliberates on the matter, makes evidence-based decisions regarding the content or pedagogy, and recommends appropriate actions accordingly at the earliest," the note said. So far, NCERT has released new textbooks for Classes 1 to 8 under the NEP 2020 framework, with the latest Class 8 books released last month. view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 07, 2025, 16:21 IST News education-career NCERT Forms Panel After Row Over Maratha Map In New Class 8 Social Science Textbook Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
NCERT forms expert panel to review Class 8 map after feedback on Maratha Empire depiction
NCERT forms expert panel to review Class 8 map In response to recent feedback and concerns raised over textbook content—most notably the depiction of parts of Rajasthan under the Maratha Empire in a Class 8 social science textbook—the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has announced the formation of a high-level expert committee. The move, NCERT said in a formal press release, is in line with its well-established practice of undertaking review whenever substantial academic or public input is received. 'These curricular resources, including textbooks, receive regular feedback and suggestions from various stakeholders,' the council said, noting that such feedback is essential for improving content quality. The press release emphasised that the committee will consist of domain experts from reputed institutions and relevant NCERT faculty, and will be convened by the Head of the Curriculum Department. The panel is expected to examine the content in question in light of 'available evidence' and recommend corrective action at the earliest possible time. Background: Class 8 map sparks historical dispute The committee formation comes amid growing debate over a map featured in the new Class 8 social science textbook, which shows parts of western Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer, as being under the Maratha Empire. The most prominent objection came from Chaitanya Raj Singh of Jaisalmer, who argued that 'no authentic historical sources' suggest Maratha control over Jaisalmer and called the portrayal 'factually baseless and historically misleading. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Extragrande 4BHK at 7 Mahalaxmi starts 10.81 Cr* 7 Mahalaxmi, Runwal Group Enquire Now Undo ' In an earlier clarification, Michel Danino, Chairperson of NCERT's curricular group for social science, acknowledged that the map was based on previously published maps in the public domain and developed with expert consultation. He explained that such maps depict not only areas under direct rule, but also those that had tributary or political arrangements with the Marathas, reflecting the complex and fluid nature of historical boundaries. He also conceded that while the Class 7 textbook includes a disclaimer about the approximate nature of historical borders, this caveat was mistakenly omitted from the Class 8 textbook—something he said should have been included to avoid misinterpretation. NEP-aligned curriculum and open review mechanism NCERT's current curriculum overhaul is a part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which led to the development of the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education. Aligned with these frameworks, NCERT has produced new teaching-learning materials, including textbooks. Officials stress that the review process ensures academic integrity and transparency. 'Evidence-based decisions are at the core of our process,' the council said, reaffirming its commitment to high-quality, research-driven educational content. NCERT reiterated that the new committee is not limited to a single issue, but is being formed to examine feedback on educational content across a few textbooks. The expert panel will evaluate each case thoroughly and submit a consolidated report for necessary action. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
