Viksit Bharat Shiksha Bill: Universities Facing ₹2 Crore Fine—What Happens to Students?

The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill 2025 is sparking intense debate in India’s higher education sector. If passed, institutions operating outside regulations will face direct penalties instead of warnings, raising concerns about the future of students enrolled in such universities.

What is the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill (VBAB)?
The Indian government is planning a major overhaul of the higher education system. Presented in the Lok Sabha by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the bill—earlier known as the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI)—aims to eliminate unauthorized and fake universities. Institutions violating the law could face fines ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹2 crore and may even be shut down.

Which Institutions Are Covered?
The bill will apply to central and state universities, deemed universities, IITs, NITs, colleges, online and open institutes. While medical, law, pharmacy, nursing, and allied health programs are largely exempt, these institutions must still adhere to academic rules.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• A single regulator will replace UGC, AICTE, and NCTE to oversee higher education.
• All colleges and universities will follow uniform rules and procedures.
• Universities must publicly disclose financial audits, infrastructure, faculty data, courses, results, and accreditation status via regulated portals and their websites.
• Fake or unauthorized institutions can be fined between ₹10 lakh and ₹2 crore or even shut down.

What Happens to Students if Universities Are Fined or Shut?
UGC publishes an annual list of fake universities to guide students away from unauthorized institutions. Degrees from unrecognized universities are not valid for higher education, government jobs, or regulated professions.

• Students enrolled in a university recognized at the time of their degree award need not worry, as degrees generally remain valid even if the institution’s recognition is later revoked. Courts consider the recognition status at the time of graduation.
• Students who obtained or are pursuing degrees from unrecognized institutions may face invalid degrees. They may approach the courts to validate their degree, but there is no automatic provision for re-admission elsewhere or financial compensation.

Student Advisory
Before enrolling, students should carefully verify:

• Recognition of the university
• Official domain (http, edu.in, ac.in)
• Fee structure
• Accuracy of brochures or notices
• Approval letters, NAAC grades, and government certifications