**Summary:**
The Ministry of Education is in the process of drafting the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, as envisioned by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This initiative aims to establish a unified higher education regulatory body to ensure integrity, transparency, and resource efficiency within the educational system through audit and public disclosure. The HECI will function as an umbrella body with independent verticals responsible for distinct functions including regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standard setting. The policy intends to encourage innovation and autonomy through good governance and empowerment. The framework will be implemented across all states and is intended to streamline approval processes for new universities, research funding, and accreditation, while preserving academic autonomy and institutional diversity. The initiative also aims to address existing inefficiencies in governance across higher education institutions and establish transparent mechanisms within the higher education sector.
Key Entities Referenced
National Education Policy NEP 2020: A national policy document by the Government of India that outlines the vision and framework for education.
Unified Higher Education Regulatory Body: A proposed regulatory body for higher education in India, as mentioned in the question related to the National Education Policy 2020.
Maharashtra: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of implementation of the Unified Higher Education Regulatory Body.
Sangli: A city in Maharashtra, India, used as an example of a Tier 2 or Tier 3 city that may be impacted by the regulatory framework.
Higher Education Commission of India HECI: An envisioned umbrella body with independent verticals to perform distinct functions of regulation, accreditation, funding and academic standard setting.
Ministry of Education: The government ministry responsible for education in India.
Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question about the implementation of the Unified Higher Education Regulatory Body.
DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education who provided the answer to the unstarred question.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-101
ANSWERED ON- 21/07/2025
Implementation of the Unified Higher Education Regulatory Body
101. Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil:
Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:
(a) whether an Unified Higher Education Regulatory Body is proposed to be established under
the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken for its implementation, particularly in States like
Maharashtra;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to ensure the academic autonomy and institutional
diversity remain preserved under the new regulatory framework;
(d) whether these measures will impact the higher education institutions in Maharashtra,
including those in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities such as Sangli;
(e) whether the Regulatory Body will address existing inefficiencies in governance across
higher education institutions;
(f) if so, the detailed plan to streamline approval processes for new Universities, Research
Funding and accreditation in Maharashtra and other States; and
(g) the details of transparent and consistent mechanisms in Higher Education, particularly
growing educational hubs like Sangli?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (g): The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, envisions a ‘light but tight’ regulatory
framework to ensure integrity, transparency, and resource efficiency of the educational system
through audit and public disclosure while encouraging innovation and out-of-the-box ideas
through autonomy, good governance, and empowerment.
The NEP, 2020 further envisions setting up of a Higher Education Commission of India
(HECI) as an umbrella body with independent verticals to perform distinct functions of
regulation, accreditation, funding and academic standard setting.
Considering the above vision of NEP 2020, the Ministry is in the process of drafting a
HECI Bill.
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