HECI Bill 2025: NDTF seeks clarity from MoE on governance, funding, service conditions

Amid the growing criticism over the proposed HECI Bill 2025, the National Democratic Teacher’s Front (NDTF) has submitted a set of recommendations to the Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI).

The teachers’ wing affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that the new regulatory framework should uphold university autonomy, teachers’ interests, and the smooth functioning of academic institutions.

The teachers’ group appreciated the ministry of education’s (MoE) effort to strengthen and modernise the higher education sector. About the HECI Bill, they said that the introduction of the proposed draft framework will prove “a significant step towards restructuring regulatory mechanisms in alignment with the goals of quality, transparency, and accountability”.

However, NDTF raised concerns over certain provisions of the Draft HECI Bill, particularly those that affect governance structures and grant-related policy, and said "addressing these issues clearly and unambiguously is important”.

Also read ‘Send HECI Bill 2025 to panel first’: Digvijaya Singh to education minister ahead of parliament winter session

NDTF flags concerns in draft HECI Bill 2025

NDTF has placed four major recommendations before the education ministry.

Governance structures - NDTF said that the HECI Bill should reaffirm the existing governance systems of central universities remain intact. It should strengthen democratisation by increasing teachers’ representation in the statutory body.

University grants – It urged the ministry to retain the current public funding model without dilution and assure full government grants to universities and colleges, avoiding uncertainty in institutional funding.

Service conditions - The organisation sought explicit guarantees ensuring stability in service conditions, such as recruitment rules, promotions, and career progression mechanisms. It suggested simplifying the promotion process to enhance transparency and reduce procedural delays.

Salary and benefits - Teachers must remain entitled to pensionary benefits, medical facilities, LTC, retirement benefits, HRA, and other service-related benefits at par with central government standards.

NDTF president AK Bhagi and general secretary VS Negi wrote in the letter: “NDTF is confident that these measures will help ensure that the proposed HECI framework strengthens academic institutions while safeguarding the welfare and rights of the teaching community and students.”