Proposed Higher Education Regulator Faces Criticism Over Centralization and Rural Impact

A parliamentary panel warns the draft HECI bill could lead to rural institution closures and increased privatization while urging balanced state representation.

• The proposed Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) aims to replace existing regulatory bodies like UGC, AICTE, and NCTE under the National Education Policy 2020 framework.
• A parliamentary panel has raised concerns about excessive centralization in the HECI's structure, which could marginalize state-level representation in decision-making.
• The draft HECI bill grants significant authority, including the power to close institutions that fail to meet standards, potentially affecting rural colleges with infrastructure and faculty challenges.
• The panel warned that the bill's implementation could indirectly promote privatization, especially in rural areas, by reducing state control over higher education institutions.
• Recommendations from the panel include creating a simplified hierarchy of regulatory bodies and ensuring balanced state representation to avoid over-centralization.

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