'Refrain from introducing HECI Bill 2025 or refer to joint parliamentary committee': Kerala MP to Kiren Rijiju

Kerala MP John Brittas has asked the union government to withhold the introduction of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, 2025, in Lok Sabha or refer it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for detailed examination.

In a letter addressed to Union minister of parliamentary affairs and minority affairs Kiren Rijiju, Brittas said that the proposed legislation carries significant implications for the country’s higher education framework.

Brittas noted that the draft HECI Bill has not been released publicly and that state governments, universities, teachers’ bodies, and student organisations have not been consulted.

“It is a matter of concern that the draft Bill has not yet been placed in the public domain, nor have State Governments, universities, teachers’ bodies, students’ organisations, or other stakeholders been meaningfully consulted,” the letter said.

Concerns over regulatory overhaul

Brittas further flagged concerns that the proposed legislation reportedly seeks to repeal the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, the AICTE Act, 1987 and the NCTE Act, 1993, and replace them with a single central regulatory authority. According to him, such a change could alter the existing federal structure of higher education, which functions under the Concurrent List.

The MP states that reported provisions relating to funding powers being shifted away from UGC to executive bodies or special-purpose agencies may influence public funding mechanisms. He added that the possible regulatory powers of the proposed Commission — including authorisation, graded autonomy and institutional closure — may impact employment stability, governance practices and access.

HECI Bill 2025: Request for detailed review

Brittas said these concerns gain significance at a time when universities are adjusting to structural changes under the National Education Policy, 2020. He urged the Government to revisit the proposal and ensure legislative scrutiny before it is taken up in Parliament.

“In view of these far-reaching constitutional, federal, academic, and social implications, I most earnestly urge the Government not to proceed with the immediate introduction of the Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2025,” John Brittas said in the letter.