Guwahati: The Assam government on Tuesday introduced the Assam Higher Education Council Bill, 2026, in the Legislative Assembly, aiming to establish a new statutory body to streamline the state’s higher education framework. Concurrently, the state government announced a comprehensive relief package for students affected by recent floods, including financial assistance and free replacement of academic documents.

The proposed legislation seeks to align Assam’s higher education system with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by creating an apex body that will coordinate policy, academic planning, and institutional governance across universities and colleges. The flood relief measures address the immediate needs of thousands of students whose education has been disrupted by the devastating natural calamity.

What was announced

Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu introduced the Assam Higher Education Council Bill, 2026, in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The Bill proposes the establishment of the Assam State Higher Education Council (ASHEC) as a central coordinating institution to bridge the gap between the University Grants Commission (UGC), the state government, and universities.

During the Assembly session, Minister Pegu also provided an update on the impact of the recent floods on the education sector. He announced a series of relief measures for flood-affected students and schools. These measures include free uniforms and textbooks for all school students across Assam. Students pursuing higher education in the worst-affected districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat will receive one-time financial assistance for study materials: Rs 1,000 for higher secondary students, Rs 3,000 for undergraduate students, and Rs 5,000 for postgraduate students.

Additionally, the government announced that students who lost academic documents such as marksheets, certificates, admit cards, and registration cards during the floods will be able to obtain duplicate copies free of cost. The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) has waived fees for issuing replacement documents and simplified the application process by removing the requirement for a police complaint, instead accepting a self-declaration.

Why it matters

The introduction of the Assam Higher Education Council Bill, 2026, marks a significant step towards modernising and standardising higher education in the state. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu stated that Assam currently lacks a single institution capable of effectively connecting the UGC, the state government, and higher educational institutions. The new council aims to fill this void, fostering better coordination on academic and policy-related issues.

The Bill’s alignment with NEP 2020 is crucial, as the national policy emphasises multidisciplinary learning, research, flexibility, skill development, and equitable access. The ASHEC is expected to prepare a State Higher Education Plan (SHEP), serving as a roadmap for data-driven and evidence-based development of higher education, thereby improving academic standards, institutional performance, and policy implementation.

The flood relief measures are critical for ensuring educational continuity for thousands of students impacted by the natural disaster. With nearly 80 per cent of schools in several districts affected by the deluge, according to Minister Pegu, the financial aid and free document replacement will alleviate immediate burdens on families and prevent academic setbacks. The provision of free textbooks and uniforms, along with financial assistance for higher education students, directly supports those struggling to recover from the devastation.

Background

The push for a unified higher education framework in Assam is part of a broader national effort to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The NEP 2020 advocates for a robust State Higher Education Council in every state to strengthen governance, planning, and academic quality. The Assam government has been actively pursuing reforms in the education sector, including easing norms to attract private investment in higher education earlier in July 2026, to expand access and improve quality.

The state’s Higher Education Department is responsible for coordinating government policies, augmenting existing institutions, and promoting human resource development. The introduction of this Bill follows a recognition that while the UGC regulates at the national level and universities operate autonomously, a dedicated state-level mechanism for academic coordination has been missing.

Assam has recently faced severe floods, causing widespread damage across several districts. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier announced various relief measures for flood-affected families, including interim financial assistance and enhanced Orunodoi benefits. The educational relief measures are part of this broader government response to the calamity.

Key details

The Assam Higher Education Council Bill, 2026, proposes a two-tier structure for the new council: a General Council and an Executive Council. The Executive Council will oversee executive functions, while the General Council will include representatives from universities, autonomous colleges, affiliated colleges, government officials, and a UGC nominee, ensuring broad participation in decision-making.

The council aims to promote academic excellence, improve access and equity, encourage research and innovation, strengthen quality assurance, and facilitate evidence-based policymaking. It will also work to prepare the State Higher Education Plan (SHEP).

For flood relief, the specific financial assistance for students is structured as follows:

  • Higher Secondary students: Rs 1,000 for study materials.
  • Undergraduate students: Rs 3,000 for study materials.
  • Postgraduate students: Rs 5,000 for study materials.

These benefits are targeted at students in the four worst-affected districts: Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat. All school students in affected areas will receive free textbooks and uniforms. The free re-issuance of lost academic documents covers pass certificates, marksheets, admit cards, and registration cards, with the police complaint requirement waived for ease of application.

Reactions

“The Assam Higher Education Council Bill, 2026, is in conformity with NEP 2020. We felt the need for an intermediary apex body that can coordinate among the UGC, the government and the universities,” Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said while introducing the Bill.

Minister Pegu further stated that the proposed council would facilitate coordination in both academic and executive matters, providing an institutional mechanism for improved governance of higher education in the state. He also posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the council would “bring together the Government, universities, academicians and experts to prepare the State Higher Education Plan, promote academic excellence, improve access and equity, encourage research and innovation, strengthen quality assurance, and facilitate evidence-based policymaking for the future of higher education in Assam.”

Regarding flood relief, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the measures during a live session on social media on July 28, stating that the initiatives are aimed at helping people recover from the recent floods that devastated several districts of Upper Assam.

What’s next

The Assam Higher Education Council Bill, 2026, will undergo further deliberation and approval processes within the Legislative Assembly before it becomes law. Once enacted, the government will proceed with establishing the Assam State Higher Education Council (ASHEC) and defining its operational guidelines. The council is expected to play a central role in implementing NEP 2020 objectives across the state’s higher education institutions.

For flood-affected students, the distribution of fresh textbooks in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts is scheduled to begin within the next two days from July 28, 2026. The renovation and repair of damaged schools will commence immediately after the School Education Department receives assessment reports prepared in coordination with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

Quick FAQs

What is the primary purpose of the Assam Higher Education Council Bill, 2026?

The Bill aims to establish a new statutory body, the Assam State Higher Education Council (ASHEC), to coordinate policy, academic planning, and institutional governance across universities and colleges in Assam, aligning the state’s higher education framework with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Which students are eligible for flood relief financial assistance?

Students pursuing higher education (higher secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate) in the flood-affected districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat are eligible for one-time financial assistance to purchase study materials. All school students in affected areas will receive free textbooks and uniforms.

Can students get free duplicate academic documents if lost in floods?

Yes, students who lost their academic documents like marksheets, certificates, admit cards, or registration cards due to the floods can obtain duplicate copies free of cost. The requirement for a police complaint has been waived, requiring only a self-declaration.

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