Year Ender 2025: From the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill to CBSE’s two-tier exam, education reforms at a glance

As 2025 comes to an end, India’s education sector has gone through several important changes. Many of these reforms were guided by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aimed at improving quality, transparency, and fairness in education. Key developments this year included the introduction of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, changes in the CBSE examination system, a new law to regulate school fees in Delhi, and amendments related to Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

These reforms reflect the government’s effort to modernise the education system, reduce pressure on students, improve regulation, and give more accountability to institutions. Together, they are expected to shape the future of education in India in the coming years.

The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill proposes a single higher education regulator.

One of the most significant reforms in 2025 was the introduction of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill. The Bill proposes the creation of a new apex body called the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan. This body is planned as a single regulator for higher education institutions under the Ministry of Education.

Under the proposed system, the Adhishthan will have three main councils. The first is the Regulatory Council, which will focus on regulation. The second is the Accreditation Council, which will handle quality checks and accreditation. The third is the Standards Council, which will be responsible for setting academic and professional standards. Funding, which is often seen as a fourth important area, will remain with the administrative ministry and will not come under the regulator.

A major change proposed in the Bill is the repeal of three existing laws. These include the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act of 1956, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Act of 1987, and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Act of 1993. If the Bill is implemented, all higher education institutions currently regulated by these bodies will come under the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan.

The government has said that the Bill aims to improve transparency and accountability. By clearly separating regulation, accreditation, and standard-setting, the system is expected to become more objective and fair. The use of digital systems for monitoring and evaluation is also expected to make processes faster, more efficient, and data-driven.

CBSE exams and other laws aim to reduce pressure and increase fairness.

Another major reform announced this year relates to CBSE board examinations. From 2026 onwards, CBSE Class 10 exams will be held twice a year. The first phase will take place in mid-February and will be compulsory for all students. The second phase, scheduled for May, will be optional and meant for students who want to improve their scores.

Students will be allowed to appear again in up to three subjects, including science, mathematics, social science, and languages. Internal assessments will be conducted only once during the academic year. According to CBSE, results for the first phase will be declared in April, while results for the second phase will be announced in June. Class 12 board exams will continue to start from mid-February.

CBSE has said that this change is meant to reduce exam stress and give students a second chance to perform better. The new system is also expected to make learning more flexible and student-friendly.

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In 2025, the Delhi government also introduced the Delhi School Education (Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill. This law aims to regulate fees charged by private unaided and government-aided schools in the capital. Under the Bill, schools are not allowed to charge fees beyond prescribed limits using any method.

If a student is harassed over fee-related issues, the school can face a fine of ₹50,000 imposed by the Director of Education. The Bill also proposes the creation of School-Level Fee Regulation Committees, which will include parents. These committees will play a direct role in deciding school fees.

School fees will be determined based on factors such as location, infrastructure quality, academic performance, and financial needs. District- and state-level committees will handle appeals and ensure that the process remains fair and transparent.

Another important development this year was the passage of the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025. This Bill amends the IIM Act of 2017, which grants IIMs the status of institutions of national importance and governs their functioning.

The amendment clears the way for setting up a new IIM in Guwahati, Assam. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 19 and by the Rajya Sabha on August 20. The move is expected to strengthen management education in the Northeast and improve regional access to top-quality institutions.

Overall, the education reforms introduced in 2025 reflect a strong push towards modernisation, transparency, and student welfare. While some of these changes will take time to show results, they mark an important step in reshaping India’s education system for the future.