An official from HRD Ministry said that the proposed Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) not only will replace the UGC but will also overtake AICTE and a bill in this regard will be presented before the cabinet next month.
Last year, it was announced by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) that the University Grants Commission (UGC) will be replaced by the HECI by repealing the act of UGC 1951. A draft regarding the same was put in a public domain and the suggestions were sought from stake holders.
"The Higher Education Commission of India will be a single regulator and replace UGC and AICTE. The bill has been prepared after elaborate consultation with states. It will be taken to the Cabinet in October," a senior HRD Ministry official said.
"The HECI will be created by repealing the UGC Act, 1951 and AICTE Act, 1987," the official said.
In July, HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'' had informed parliament that HECI will promote the quality of academic instruction, maintenance of academic standards and encourage autonomy of good performing educational institutions for free pursuit of knowledge, innovation, skills and entrepreneurship.
"The aim is to be inclusive and offer opportunities to all, and also provide for comprehensive growth of higher education and research in a competitive global environment," he had said.
At present, UGC is a regulator for universities across the nation and AICTE acts as a regulator for engineering, pharmacy, management and other technical education colleges.