Government proposes to enact a crucial bill this year to make it mandatory for every higher educational institution to be accredited in the country. Human Resource Development minister Kapil Sibal said this while addressing the first World Summit on Accreditation in New Delhi on Monday.

Mr Sibal expressed hope that National Accreditation Regulatory Authority for Higher Educational Institutions Bill, 2010, will be passed in the Parliament during this year. He said there is an urgent need to improve the quality of higher education to meet the growing challenges of the world faces. Mr Sibal said mobility of students in higher education can be achieved only by assuring quality and standards in the system.

Maintaining that the passage of the bill is critical to ensure quality, Sibal expressed the country's eagerness to join the Washington Accord with full signatory status. This will help Indian engineering students and professionals have global recognition.

AIR correspondent reports that at present, India is a provisional member of the Accord, which is an international agreement among bodies responsible for accrediting engineering degree programmes.