Originally, the Bill allowed Central bodies to bypass State universities and directly control local colleges. After strong protests from states like Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya, a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) intervened. Now, Central authorities cannot grant degree powers or alter college affiliations without explicit permission from the State government!

1. Education was originally enumerated in the State List before being transferred to the Concurrent List by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
2. A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is a permanent standing committee of Parliament constituted every five years to review Centre-State legislative relations.
3. Under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, the coordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education falls under the Union List.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only    (b) 2 and 3 only    (c) 1 and 3 only    (d) 1, 2 and 3

• Statement 1 — Correct: The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) moved Education (Entry 25) from the State List to the Concurrent List.
• Statement 2 — Incorrect (the trap): A JPC is an ad-hoc (temporary) committee formed for a specific bill or investigation. It dissolves once its report is submitted; it is not a permanent standing committee!
• Statement 3 — Correct: Entry 66 of the Union List specifically grants Parliament exclusive power over standards determination in higher education.