The Assam Legislative Assembly has passed a significant bill aimed at restricting private universities from engaging in activities related to religious conversion. The Assam Private Universities Bill, 2025, was approved on March 24, reinforcing the state’s commitment to maintaining secularism in educational institutions. The Bill explicitly prohibits private universities from conducting or promoting any form of religious conversion among students, faculty, and staff. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, who tabled the bill, emphasized that universities should uphold a secular character and focus solely on academic excellence. Additionally, the legislation bars private universities from introducing new courses in technical, medical, paramedical, nursing, agriculture, veterinary, and dairy sciences, effective from April 1, 2025. It also mandates security clearance reports for the sponsoring bodies from the Home and Political Department to ensure credibility and transparency.
To monitor compliance, the amendment grants the state government authority to inspect private universities every three years. If a university is found violating the conditions set at the time of its establishment, the government reserves the right to dissolve it. Alongside this amendment, the Assembly also passed bills to establish three new private universities aimed at expanding higher education opportunities in Assam. The EdTech Skills University Bill, 2025, backed by the World Education Mission, will facilitate higher education and research in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) and will be set up in Tinsukia. The Swami Vivekanand University Bill, 2025, sponsored by the Social Action and Research Foundation, will have its permanent campus in Odlaguri, Chirang district, with an operational campus in Kokrajhar.
The Maa Kamakhya University Bill, 2025, promoted by Gabeshona Eduversity Foundation, is set to be established in Sipajhar, Darrang district, with a focus on advanced learning and research. Another key legislation, the Srimanta Sankardeva University of Health Sciences Bill, 2025, was introduced by Pegu on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Bill aims to ensure that institutions seeking affiliation with Srimanta Sankardeva University of Health Sciences adhere to national security guidelines, maintain secular principles, and utilize legally sourced funds.Additionally, amendments were made to the governing Acts of nine existing universities, with a notable change in the appointment process of vice-chancellors. Under the new provisions, the first vice-chancellor of eight universities will be appointed by the state government, while subsequent appointments will be made by the chancellor based on recommendations from an advisory board.