By Kavita Sharma
Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Patna, July 22, 2026: The Bihar Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed the Bihar Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by voice vote after an extensive debate.
The government said the amendment is aimed at expanding higher education opportunities within the state and reducing the migration of students to other parts of the country.
Speaking in support of the Bill, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said lakhs of students from Bihar leave the state every year in search of quality higher education, placing a significant financial burden on families and contributing to a “brain drain.”
Highlighting the scale of student migration, the Chief Minister said more than 30,000 students from Bihar are enrolled at Amity University.
He added that lakhs of students pursue higher education in private universities across the country, underlining the need to create comparable educational opportunities within Bihar.
“The objective of the amendment is to ensure that students can access quality higher education within Bihar itself.
Establishing more private universities will reduce migration, save families time and money, and strengthen the state’s education sector,” the Chief Minister said.
Opposition raises concerns over private universities bill:
During the debate, opposition members questioned the implications of expanding private higher education.
AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman expressed concern that the growth of private universities could make higher education less accessible for economically weaker students due to high tuition fees.
He urged the government to incorporate safeguards in the legislation to protect the interests of students from poor families.
RJD MLA Rahul Sharma also opposed certain aspects of the Bill, arguing that the government should ensure student welfare remains the central focus.
He called for explicit provisions related to fee regulation, quality education, and the protection of students’ rights before granting recognition to additional private universities.
Responding to the concerns, Higher Education Minister Sanjay Singh Tiger clarified that the legislation is an amendment to the existing Bihar Private Universities Act, 2013, rather than a completely new law.
He said the amendments are intended to align the state’s legal framework with University Grants Commission (UGC) standards and facilitate the inclusion of new private universities under the Act.
According to the minister, 11 private universities have already been recognized under the existing legislation.
Institutions meeting UGC-prescribed norms will continue to receive recognition, helping expand higher education opportunities across the state.
Sanjay Singh Tiger said the establishment of more private universities would provide students with access to modern academic infrastructure, updated curricula, research opportunities, and employment-oriented education without requiring them to leave Bihar.
Government emphasizes educational growth:
Reiterating the government’s position, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the objective is not merely to encourage private investment but to create a stronger higher education ecosystem within Bihar.
Bihar stated that attracting world-class universities would help retain talent, strengthen the system, generate employment, and contribute to Bihar’s economic development.
Following the government’s response and the opposition’s suggestions, the Bihar Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by voice vote.
The government expects the amendment to encourage investment in higher education and provide students with greater access to quality educational institutions within Bihar.
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EOM.
