India's Higher Education Control Push Sparks Autonomy Debate

The Indian government wants to take more control over universities and colleges in the country.

It has written some new laws to make this happen, as part of a big education plan from 2020.

One law is about a famous mathematics and statistics research institute called the Indian Statistical Institute.

If the law passes, government leaders would make the big decisions there, even about what the institute studies.

Many teachers at the institute are upset because they want to keep making those choices themselves.

Another new law would put one single group in charge of almost all colleges in India.

That group would replace three older education bodies that helped run things.

Famous schools like the IITs and IIMs are worried they will lose their freedom.

The government says these changes will make education better organised and higher quality.

But teachers, universities and states fear the government will control what people learn.