Bihar To Introduce New Act To Govern State Universities And Reform Higher Education

Bihar is set to introduce a new Act to govern state universities as part of a major overhaul of its higher education framework, replacing multiple amendments made since 2005. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Governor-cum-Chancellor Lieutenant General (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, aimed at reviewing reforms and improving governance in the state’s university system. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary and Higher Education Minister Sanjay Singh Tiger, along with senior education department officials.

According to officials, the proposed legislation will incorporate best practices adopted by 15 other states as well as key provisions from central university regulations, with the objective of creating a more streamlined and transparent academic governance structure. The proposed law is expected to simplify the regulatory framework for higher education institutions in Bihar, which has undergone nearly a dozen amendments over the past two decades. Authorities emphasised the need for a comprehensive and updated legal structure that aligns with modern academic and administrative requirements while ensuring accountability and institutional efficiency.

As part of the broader reform agenda, the Governor directed all state universities to fully implement the 26 modules of the Samarth portal by December 31, 2026. These modules cover accounting and finance, employee services and academic management systems, and are intended to digitise and standardise administrative processes across universities. The meeting also highlighted the need for a comprehensive performance evaluation system for higher education institutions to encourage accountability and continuous improvement. Officials noted that while the University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced a grading system for universities in 2018, no state university from Bihar has yet been included in the rankings, underscoring the need for structural reforms.

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In addition, the government informed that a centralised recruitment process is being adopted for the appointment of qualified contract-based assistant professors in 211 newly established government degree colleges. The initiative is aimed at ensuring better pay scales, improved transparency in hiring, and a more consistent academic standard across institutions. With the proposed legislation and accompanying reforms, the state government aims to modernise Bihar’s higher education system, strengthen governance mechanisms, and align university administration with national benchmarks in academic quality and institutional performance.

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