Federalism and Higher Education in India: Centre–State Challenges and NEP 2020

Constitutional Background

• Originally: Education was in the State List (Seventh Schedule), giving states exclusive legislative power.

• 42nd Amendment, 1976: Shifted education to the Concurrent List, enabling both Centre and States to legislate.

• Article 254: In case of conflict, Central law prevails, creating friction in Centre–State relations.

Why Higher Education is a Federal Issue

Traditionally, federal disputes centred on taxation or water-sharing. Today, higher education has become contentious due to:

• Curriculum design and language policy.

• Regulatory institutions and university governance.

• Financial control and centralised schemes.

Major Flashpoints

• NEP 2020: Introduced four-year UG programmes, multidisciplinary universities, and Academic Bank of Credits. Opposition arose over the three-language formula, especially in Tamil Nadu.

• Governor vs State Governments: Governors as Chancellors of state universities have clashed with states over Vice-Chancellor appointments (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Karnataka).

• Financial control: UGC and schemes like Institutions of Eminence and National Research Foundation tie funding to central conditions, reducing state autonomy.

• New regulatory bodies: Proposed Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 raises fears of centralisation.

• Academic Bank of Credits (ABC): Enables credit transfer but raises concerns about excessive central monitoring.

Key Concepts

• Strategic Adaptation: States often modify or selectively implement national policies to suit local contexts.

• Negotiated Federalism: Cooperative consultation between Centre and States is essential for effective reforms.

  • Example: Foreign Universities in India – Centre frames policy, but states control land, infrastructure, and permissions.

Conclusion

Higher education in India reflects the tensions of cooperative federalism. While the Centre provides vision, funding, and regulation, states hold critical levers of implementation. For NEP 2020 and future reforms to succeed, India must embrace negotiated federalism, ensuring that national goals align with regional priorities and autonomy.