Union Government Approved Draft Act To Replace UGC with HECI

Union Government Approved Draft Act To Replace UGC with Higher Education Commission of India- Details

Union Ministry of Human Resource Development on 27th June 2018, proposed a draft bill to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC) and set up the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), a move that aims to reform higher education in India.

Union HRD Minister, Prakash Javadekar informed that "The draft Act is in accordance with the commitment of Government for reforming the regulatory systems that provide for more autonomy and facilitate the holistic growth of the education system."

Prakash Javadekar has requested to all educationists, stakeholders and the general public to give comments and suggestions on the draft legislation before 7th July 2018.

The Act entitled ‘Higher Education Commission of India Act, 2018 (Repeal of University Grants Commission Act)’ revamps UGC Act, 1951 and its parent legislation completely.

The HECI Act, 2018 is believed to be introduced in Parliament in the upcoming monsoon session.

Need

The UGC and its regulatory regime have been condemned several times by a number of committees for its restrictive and suffocating processes.

Several committees including the Professor Yash Pal committee and the National Knowledge Commission of the UPA era and the Hari Gautam committee of PM Nsarendra Modi regime have recommended a single education regulator to rid higher education of red tape and lethargy.