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GUWAHATI: The Assam government has taken a significant step toward expanding and reforming higher education by introducing multiple Bills aimed at setting up three new universities and amending the governing Acts of eight existing institutions.
These legislative measures were introduced in the House by Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, reflecting the state’s commitment to enhancing education infrastructure and governance.
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Among the newly proposed universities, the EdTech Skills University Bill, 2025, stands out as an initiative to establish a private institution dedicated to advancing learning, assessment, and research in alignment with the New Education Policy.
Sponsored by World Education Mission, this university is proposed to be set up in Tinsukia and will focus on equipping students with modern educational and technological skills.
Additionally, two other Bills were introduced with similar objectives of fostering advanced learning and research. The Swami Vivekanand University Bill, 2025, sponsored by Social Action and Research Foundation, will have its permanent campus in Odlaguri, Chirang district, while its operational campus will be located in Kokrajhar.
The Maa Kamakhya University Bill, 2025, sponsored by Gabeshona Eduversity Foundation, is proposed to be established in Sipajhar. Both institutions aim to promote higher education and provide quality learning opportunities.
Alongside these new institutions, the government has introduced the Assam Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which imposes strict regulations on private universities. It specifically restricts universities from engaging in activities related to religious conversion of students, faculty, and staff.
Furthermore, it prohibits private universities from launching new technical, medical, para-medical, nursing, agricultural, veterinary, and allied courses starting April 1, 2025. Another key proposal mandates security clearance reports on the sponsoring bodies from the Home and Political Department of Assam.
To ensure compliance with establishment conditions, the amendment also calls for a state government inspection of universities every three years, with non-compliance potentially leading to dissolution.
Another crucial amendment, the Srimanta Sankardeva University of Health Sciences (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was introduced on behalf of the Chief Minister, who also oversees the medical education and research department. This Bill seeks to ensure that institutes seeking affiliation with Srimanta Sankardeva University of Health Sciences do not pose national security risks, maintain secular principles, and rely on legal funding sources.
The Assam government has also proposed amendments to the Acts governing eight state universities through The North Lakhimpur University (Amendment) Bill, 2025, The Kokrajhar University (Amendment) Bill, 2025, The Nagaon University (Amendment) Bill, 2025, The Jagannath Barooah University (Amendment) Bill, 2025, The Gurucharan University (Amendment) Bill, 2025, The Bongaigaon University (Amendment) Bill, 2025, The Sibsagar University (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and The Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
These amendments propose that the first vice-chancellor of each university will be appointed by the state government, while subsequent vice-chancellors will be appointed by the chancellor based on recommendations from an advisory board.
