Relevance: GS-2 (Polity & Governance) | Source: Indian Express, Government Bulletins

The Winter Session 2025 is expected to introduce 10 key Bills focused on higher education reform, civil nuclear expansion, governance changes in Union Territories, and sectoral streamlining. The session begins December 2.

Major Bills 

1. Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, 2025

Replaces the UGC Act, 1956.

• Establishes single regulator for higher education (except medical & legal).
  
• Functions: accreditation oversight, fee guidelines, academic standards, light-but-tight regulation.
  

2. Civil Nuclear Sector Amendment Bill

• Enables private sector participation in parts of the nuclear supply chain (excluding reactor operation).
  
• Seeks to strengthen India’s nuclear energy capacity to meet climate goals.
  

3. Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 – Chandigarh Administration under Article 240 (from image)

• Proposes to include Chandigarh under Article 240, enabling the President to make regulations and appoint an independent Administrator or Lt. Governor.
  
• Implication: Reduces Punjab’s role in Chandigarh administration (Punjab CM currently functions as ex-officio administrator).
  
• Political concern: Seen as weakening Punjab’s historical claim over Chandigarh.
  

4. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Amendment) Bill 

• Minor corrections/update to the newly implemented criminal law codes.
  

5. Digital Competition Bill 

• Establishes ex-ante rules for Big Tech, prevents anti-competitive practices, supports startups.
  

6. National Research Foundation (NRF) Amendment Bill

• Clears structural/financial adjustments for the new NRF functioning under the Department of Science & Technology.
  

7. Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites (Amendment)

• Updates prohibited area norms near ASI sites for infrastructure projects with safeguards.
  

Significance 

• Moves India toward regulatory simplification, better center-state-UT governance, education modernization, energy diversification, and tech-sector oversight.
  
• Strengthens institutional capacity for India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 goals.
  

Q. With reference to the upcoming Winter Session Bills, consider the following statements:

1. The HECI Bill seeks to replace both UGC and AICTE with a single higher-education regulator.
   
2. Under the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill, Chandigarh will be included under Article 240 for direct administration by the President.
   
3. The Civil Nuclear Sector Amendment Bill allows private entities to operate nuclear reactors.
   

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

Answer: (b)
(HECI does not replace AICTE; private sector still cannot operate reactors.)