Abstract
The paper critically examines the governance structures of higher education institutions(HEIs) in India, tracing their evolution from the colonial period to the present and exploring future directions under current policy frameworks. Historically, Indian HEIs operated under centralized control, with post-independence reforms gradually granting autonomy. The current landscape reflects a dynamic interplay between regulatory authorities (UGC, AICTE,etc) and institutional governance bodies. However, challenges persist, including bureaucratic inertia, funding disparities, and quality assurance issues. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to address these through decentralized, transparent governance and enhanced institutional autonomy. This paper analyzes past and present governance mechanisms, evaluates the impact of reforms, and forecasts future trends. It employs a socio-legal perspective, incorporating case studies and policy analysis to highlight best practices and areas need for ethical leadership, stakeholder participation, and technology integration for effective governance in HEIs
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