Congress urges NDA States to oppose VBSA Bill on higher education
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has urged NDA-ruled states to oppose the proposed Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan 2025 Bill, citing concerns over the centralization of higher education. He argues the bill encroaches on state powers and reduces institutional autonomy by shifting grant-disbursal authority to the Union government.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the ongoing friction between federal and state governments regarding the control and regulation of the education sector in India.
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh on Friday (July 10, 2026) urged NDA-ruled States, particularly Andhra Pradesh, to oppose the proposed Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan 2025 Bill when it comes up during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Sharing The Hindu’s report on consultations held by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Bill, where NDA-ruled States have objected to many provisions in the Bill that lead to greater centralisation of higher education, Mr. Ramesh called on these governments to submit dissent notes and resist what he termed the “Very Bad Shiksha Act”. Andhra Pradesh has presented the strongest objections to the draft legislation.
Addressing Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Mr. Ramesh posted on X that if he believed the Bill harmed States’ interests, then he should “stand up boldly and be counted”.
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