New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) Saying the government was committed to improve education standards in India, Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal said Wednesday a new apex panel on higher education will be formed soon.
The National Commission for Higher Education and Research, which will encompass in itself the existing professional councils and regulatory agencies, including the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Medical Council of India and the AICTE, is likely to be formed within the first 100 days of the new government, Sibal told reporters.

The new education commission is a key recommendation of a government appointed committee headed by wellknown educationist Professor Yashpal that was formed to advise on renovation and rejuvenation of higher education in India.

“We will try and ensure the implementation of the Yashpal Committee report in 100 days. Whatever has to be done must be done today for an inclusive and quality education,” Sibal said.

Appreciating the report, the minister said it is a “road map for the education for the future of the country”.

“The Yashpal Committee has done extensive dialogue with all stakeholders, and it will thus be acceptable to the nation,” the minister said.

The Yashpal Committee report suggests that instead of existing regulatory bodies like the UGC and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), universities should be made self-regulatory.

The committee submitted its interim report in March this year. The committee was set up in February 2008 with the mandate to study the functioning of various agencies in higher education and suggest measures to restructure the system of higher education.