New Delhi: The Students’ Federation of India on Saturday opposed the Union Cabinet’s approval of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshak Bill, 2025, alleging that the proposed law seeks to centralise control over higher education and open the sector to commercial and ideological interference.
In a statement, the SFI said the Bill closely resembles the Higher Education Commission of India Bill first introduced in 2018. It aims to dissolve existing statutory bodies such as the University Grants Commission, the All India Council for Technical Education, and the National Council for Teacher Education. These bodies would be replaced by a single central regulator.
The student organisation accused the NDA led Union government of advancing a centralised education framework that weakens institutional autonomy and federal principles. It alleged that the policy direction reflects corporate priorities and the ideological objectives of the RSS rather than student welfare or academic freedom.
SFI warned that dismantling the UGC would change the funding structure of higher education. Public and non professional institutions would face reduced support as grants give way to loan based funding. The organisation said this shift would raise education costs and restrict access for students from marginalised and economically weaker communities.
The SFI also criticised the proposed composition of the new regulator. Nine of its twelve members would receive appointment from the central government. This structure, the organisation said, contradicts claims of decentralised governance and concentrates authority at the Centre.
Calling the Bill anti constitutional, the SFI demanded its immediate withdrawal. The appeal was issued by All India President Adarsh M. Saji and General Secretary Srijan Bhattacharyya, who urged students and the public to oppose the proposed law.
