In a significant move aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Ministry of Education is advancing efforts to set up the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI)—a comprehensive and unified regulatory body for higher education. This development was confirmed by Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, during a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
The proposed HECI aims to overhaul the existing fragmented regulatory system by integrating the responsibilities currently distributed among various bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). Currently, the UGC governs non-technical education, the AICTE oversees technical institutions, and the NCTE regulates teacher education programs.
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Envisioned as a cornerstone reform under NEP 2020, the HECI will function through distinct verticals focusing on regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standards. The policy outlines a “light but tight” approach to regulation—emphasizing autonomy, accountability, innovation, and good governance while ensuring transparency and operational efficiency.
The concept of a consolidated higher education regulator first emerged in a 2018 draft bill proposing the repeal of the UGC Act, which was later circulated for public feedback. With this current initiative, the government aims to establish a modern, cohesive, and globally competitive education framework for India’s higher education landscape.
