Bihar Education News: Bihar Assembly passes the Private University Amendment Bill; know the key changes and why the Opposition is protesting.

The Private University Amendment Bill 2026 has been passed in Bihar. Its objective is to boost higher education within the state and curb the exodus of students who travel to other states for their studies.

Bihar Education News: The Private University Amendment Bill 2026 has been passed in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. The government states that the amendment aims to expand higher education opportunities within the state, encourage private investment, and reduce the large-scale migration of students to other states for education. Conversely, the opposition alleges that an increase in the number of private universities could make higher education expensive and adversely affect the interests of economically disadvantaged students. Let us explore the objectives of this bill, the changes it will bring about, and the reasons behind the controversy surrounding it.

Objectives of the Bihar Private University Bill

According to the government, a large number of students leave the state every year in search of better higher education opportunities elsewhere. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary stated in the Assembly that over 30,000 students from Bihar are studying at Amity University alone, while approximately 11,000 are enrolled at Lovely Professional University. Additionally, lakhs of students travel outside Bihar to study at private universities across the country. The government maintains that establishing more private universities within the state will provide students with access to quality higher education locally. This will alleviate the financial burden on families, save time, and reduce the migration of talent to other states.

What will change with the Private University Amendment Bill?

Higher Education Minister Sanjay Singh Tiger clarified that this is not a new law but an amendment to the existing Bihar Private University Act of 2013. According to the government, the aim of these changes is to align state laws with University Grants Commission (UGC) standards and to simplify the process of bringing new private universities under the ambit of the Act. The Minister noted that while 11 private universities have currently received recognition in the state, future recognition will be granted to institutions that meet the criteria prescribed by the UGC. The government claims that this will expand the scope for modern educational infrastructure, better research facilities, employment opportunities, and quality education within the state.

Why is this bill facing opposition?

The opposition has raised several questions during the discussion on this bill. AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman stated that the expansion of private universities could make education expensive, potentially making it difficult for poor and economically disadvantaged students to access higher education. He urged the government to include clear provisions to safeguard the interests of such students. Opposition to the amendment was also witnessed outside the legislative assembly, where teachers, staff, and student organizations from Patna University protested against the government’s decision. They allege that the proposed changes will compromise university autonomy and that alterations to administrative powers could impact the higher education system. The protesting organizations have also warned that they will continue their agitation.

How many students from Bihar go to other states for their studies?

The government has acknowledged in the assembly that a large number of students from Bihar head to other states every year. The Chief Minister stated that more than 30,000 students from Bihar are studying at Amity University alone, and around 11,000 are enrolled at Lovely Professional University. The government maintains that lakhs of students from Bihar are studying in private universities across the country, highlighting the need for better higher education institutions within the state. However, data released by the Department of Labour Resources indicates that out of approximately 57 lakh people from Bihar living outside the state, around 5 lakh are there for higher education, while the rest are living there for employment purposes.

Which state sends the highest number of students abroad for studies?

When looking at data regarding students going abroad for education, Chandigarh leads the country in terms of the ratio relative to its population. It has the highest number of students going abroad for studies per 1 lakh of the population. This is followed by Punjab, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. However, in terms of absolute numbers, states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Gujarat send the highest number of students abroad for studies. On the other hand, a large number of students from Bihar currently head to universities in other parts of the country—such as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.