LexThe Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016
Maharashtra · state statute
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this act2017 : Mah. VI] 1
THE MAHARASHTRA PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ACT, 2016
[Text as on 13th January 2026]
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CONTENTS
PREAMBLE.
SECTIONS.
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title and commencement.
2. Definitions.
CHAPTER II
PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
3. Incorporation of universities.
4. Object of university.
5. Powers and duties of university.
6. Jurisdiction and admission to privileges of university.
7. University open to all irrespective of sex, race, creed, class, caste, place of birth, religion, or
opinion.
8. Control of State Government on universities.
CHAPTER III
OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY
9. Chancellor and his Powers.
10. Other officers of university.
11. Appointment of Vice-Chancellor.
12. Powers and duties of Vice-Chancellor.
13. Pro-Vice-Chancellor.
14. Registrar.
15. Dean of Faculty.
16. Power and duties of Dean.
17. Director of Board of Examinations and Evaluation.
18. Finance and Accounts Officer.
19. Director of Sub-Campus university.
20. Director of Innovation, Incubation and Linkages.
21. Director knowledge Resource Center.
22. Director of Lifelong Learning and Extention.
23. Director of Students’ Development and Director of National Service Scheme.
24. Director of Sports and Physical Education.
25. Officers, members of authorities, bodies and employees of university to be public servants.
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CHAPTER IV
AUTHORITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY
26. Authority of university.
27. Power of State Government to specify eligibility conditions for being member of any
authority of university.
28. Senate.
29. Functions and duties of Senate.
30. Management Council.
31. Powers and duties of Management Council.
32. Academic Council.
33. Powers and duties of Academic Council.
34. Faculty.
35. Powers and duties of Faculty.
36. Board of Deans.
37. Powers and Duties of Board of Deans.
38. Board of Sub-campuses of university.
39. Powers and Duties of Board of Sub-Campuses of the university.
40. Board of Studies.
41. Powers and duties of Board of studies.
42. Board of University Departments and Interdisciplinary studies.
43. Powers and duties of Board of University Departments and Interdisciplinary studies.
44. Board of Post-Graduate Education in Colleges.
45. Board of Lifelong Learning and Extension.
46. Powers and duties of Board of Lifelong Learning and Extension.
47. Board of Examinations and Evaluation.
48. Powers and duties of Board of Examinations and Evaluation.
49. Board of Information Technology.
50. Powers and duties of Board of Information Technology.
51. Board of National and International Linkages.
52. Powers and Duties of Board of National and International Linkage.
53. Board of Innovation, Incubation and Enterprise.
54. Powers and duties of Board of Innovation, Incubation and Enterprise.
55. Board of Students Development.
56. Powers and Duties of Board of Student’s Development.
57. Board of Sports and Physical Education.
58. Powers and duties of Board of Sports and Physical Education.
59. Board of Research.
60. Powers and duties of Board of Research.
61. Powers, functions and duties of Authorities.
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62. Term of office of members of authority.
63. Cessation of membership.
64. Disqualification for membership of authority.
65. Ineligibility for second consecutive term.
66. Conclusiveness of decision of authority.
67. Election to be by proportional representation.
68. Resignation of membership.
69. Meeting of authorities.
70. Casual vacancy and Standing Committee to fill vacancies.
CHAPTER V
THE STATUTES, ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS
71. Statutes and their subject matters.
72. Statutes how made.
73. Ordinances and their subject matters.
74. Ordinances and their making.
75. Regulations.
CHAPTER VI
MAHARASHTRA STATE COMMISSION FOR HIGHER
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
76. Maharashtra State Commission for Higher Education and Development.
77. Functions and duties of the Commission.
78. Maharashtra State Rashtriya Uchhatar Shiksha Abhiyan Council.
CHAPTER VII
GRIEVANCES OF TEACHERS AND EMPLOYEES
79. Grievances Committee.
80. University and College Tribunal.
81. Right of appeal.
82. General power and procedure of Tribunal.
83. Powers of Tribunal to give appropriate relief and directions.
84. Decision of Tribunal to be final and binding.
85. Penalty to management for failure to comply with directions of Tribunal.
CHAPTER VIII
ADMISSIONS, EXAMINATION, EVALUATION AND OTHER
MATTERS RELATING TO STUDENTS
86. Admissions.
87. Disputes Relating to Admission.
88. Examinations and evaluation.
89. Declaration of results.
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90. Examinations and evaluation not invalid for non-compliance with schedule.
91. Sports and extra-curricular activities.
CHAPTER IX
COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS
92. Committees and Councils.
93. Advisory Council.
94. Finance and Accounts Committee.
95. Internal Quality Assurance Committee.
96. Knowledge Resource Committee.
97. College Development Committee.
98. Purchase Committee.
99. Students Council.
99A. Temporary provisions for Constitution of Students’ Council.
100. Building and Works Committee.
101. Fee fixation Committee.
102. Selection and appointment of university teachers.
103. Filling temporary vacancies of university teachers.
104. Appointment and selection of principal of conducted colleges.
105. Selection committees for officers and employees of university principals, teachers and other
employees of affiliated colleges.
106. Other Committees.
CHAPTER X
PERMISSION, AFFILIATION AND RECOGNITION
107. Perspective Plan.
108. Conditions of affiliation and recognition.
109. Procedure for permission for opening new college or new course, subject, faculty, division.
110. Procedure for affiliation.
111. Procedure of recognition of institutions.
112. Procedure for recognition of private education provider.
113. Recognition to empowered autonomous skills development colleges.
114. Continuation of affiliation or recognition.
115. Extension of affiliation or recognition.
116. Permanent affiliation and recognition.
117. Inspection of colleges and recognized institutions and report.
118. Shifting college location.
119. Transfer of management.
120. Withdrawal of affiliation or recognition.
121. Closure of affiliated college or recognized institutions.
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122. Autonomous university department or institutions, college or recognized institution.
123. Empowered autonomous colleges.
124. Empowered autonomous cluster institutions.
CHAPTER XI
ENROLMENT, DEGREES AND CONVOCATION
125. Post-graduate teaching and research.
126. Enrolment of students.
127. Disciplinary powers and discipline amongst students.
128. Degrees, diplomas, certificates & other academic distinctions.
129. Honorary Degree.
130. Convocation.
131. Registered graduates.
132. Removal of name from register of graduates.
CHAPTER XII
UNIVERSITY FUNDS, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
133. Annual financial estimates.
134. University funds.
135. Annual accounts and Audit.
136. Annual Report.
CHAPTER XIII
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR SHREEMATI NATHIBAI DAMODAR
THACKERSEY WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY
137. Special provisions for Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s university.
CHAPTER XIV
MISCELLANEOUS
138. Authorities and officers responsible for damages.
139. Membership of State Legislature and of Parliament.
140. Questions regarding interpretation and disputes regarding constitution of university
authority or body, etc.
141. Protection of Acts and orders.
142. Delegation of powers.
143. Acts and proceedings not invalid merely on gr ound of defect in constitution, vacancies,
irregularity in procedure, etc.
CHAPTER XV
ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW UNIVERSITIES
144. Issue of order providing for matters when a new university is constituted.
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CHAPTER XVI
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
145. Continuance of existing officers and employees of university.
146. Provisions relating to continuance and constitution of authorities.
147. Repeal and savings.
148. Removal of difficulties.
SCHEDULE A
SCHEDULE B
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LIST OF AMENDMENT ACTS
1. Amended by Mah. 27 of 20181 (28-11-2017)
2. Amended by Mah. 48 of 2018 (6-8-2018)
3. Amended by Mah. 10 of 20192 (5-3-2019)
4. Amended by Mah. 24 of 20203 (25-6-2020)
5. Amended by Mah. 34 of 20204 (8-12-2020)
6. Amended by Mah. 16 of 2021 (22-7-2021)
7. Amended by Mah. 14 of 20225 (6-10-2021)
8. Amended by Mah. 34 of 2022 (19-3-2022)
9. Amended by Mah. 38 of 20226 (3-8-2022)
10. Amended by Mah. 6 of 20237 (24-11-2022)
11. Amended by Mah. 2 of 20248 (20-10-2023)
10. Amended by Mah. 26 of 2024 (5-7-2024)
11. Amended by Mah. 14 of 20259 (15-10-2024)
12. Amended by Mah. 58 of 2025 (31-12-2025)
1 Maharashtra Ordinance No. I of 2018 was repealed by Mah. 27 of 2018.
2 Maharashtra Ordinance No. IV of 2019 was repealed by Mah. 10 of 2019, s. 3.
3 Maharashtra Ordinance No. IX of 2020 was repealed by Mah. 24 of 2020, s. 3.
4 Maharashtra Ordinance No. XXI of 2020 was repealed by Mah. 34 of 2020, s. 3.
5 Maharashtra Ordinance No. VIII of 2021 was repealed by Mah. 14 of 2022, s. 3.
6 Maharashtra Ordinance No. VI of 2022 was repealed by Mah. 38 of 2022, s. 3.
7 Maharashtra Ordinance No. XIII of 2022 was repealed by Mah. 6 of 2023, s. 9.
8 Maharashtra Ordinance No. VIII of 2023 was repealed by Mah. 2 of 2024, s. 4.
9 Maharashtra Ordinance No. XVI of 2024 was repealed by Mah. 14 of 2025, s. 3.
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MAHARASHTRA ACT No. VI OF 20171
[THE MAHARASHTRA PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ACT, 2016.]2
[This Act received the assent of the Governor on the 10th January 2017; assent was first published in
the Maharashtra Government Gazette, Extraordinary No. 11, Part IV, on the 11th January 2017.]
An Act to provide for academic autonomy and excellence, adequate
representation through democratic process, transformation,
strengthening and regulating higher education and for
matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for academic autonomy to non -agricultural and
non-medical universities in the State of Maharashtra and to make better provisions therefor;
AND WHEREAS the Government of Maharashtra had appointed committees under the
Chairmanships of Dr. Arun Nigvekar, Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Dr. Ram Takwale and Late Mrs. Kumud
Bansal with a view to consider and recommend on different aspects of higher education and learning
and to suggest various measures to ensure such autonomy;
AND WHEREAS after con sidering the recommendations of the said committees the
Government of Maharashtra considers it expedient to make a law to provide for academic autonomy
and excellence, adequate representation through democratic process, transformation, strengthening and
regulating higher education and to regulate the non -agricultural and non -medical universities in the
State of Maharashtra in more effective manner, to provide for participation of universities in social and
educational spheres, to establish Maharashtra State Commission for Higher Education and
Development, to constitute various Boards, and to repeal the Maharashtra Universities Act, 1994
(Mah. XXXV of 1994) ; it is hereby enacted in the Sixty -Seventh Year of the Republic of India as
follows :—
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title and c ommencement.— (1) This Act may be called the Maharashtra Public
Universities Act, 2016.
(2) It shall come into force on such 3date as the St ate Government may, by notifica tion in the
Official Gazette, appoint.
2. Definitions.— In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(1) “academic services unit” means university science and instrumentation centre, academic
staff college, computer centre, university printing press or any other unit providing specialized
services for the promotion of any of the objectives of the university;
(2) “adjunct professor”, “adjunct associate professor” or “adjunct assistant professor” means
a person from industry, trade, agriculture, commerce, social, cultural, academic or any other
allied field who is so designated during the period of collaboration or association with the
university;
(3) “affiliated college” means a college which has been granted affiliation by the university;
(4) “authorities” means the authorities of the university as specified by or under this Act;
(5) “ autonomy” means a privilege of the university conferred by the Statutes to permit a
college, institution or a university department to conduct academic programmes and
1 For Statement of Objects and Reasons of the L. A. Bill No. XVI of 2016, see Maharashtra Government Gazette , 2016,
Extraordinary No. 14, Part V-A, dated the 6th April 2016, page 118.
2 For report of joint Committee see Maharashtra Government Gazette , 2016, Extraordinary No. 41, Part V-A, dated the
5th December 2016.
3 This Act came into force on 1 st March 2017 vide G.N.H & TED, MPIJA-2015/(319/15)/Uni-4/Part-2, M.G.G., Part IV B,
dated the 27th February 2017.
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examinations, develop syllabus for the respective s ubjects and issue certifica tes of passing the
examinations;
(6) “autonomous college”, “autonomous institution” or “ autonomous department” means a
college, institution or department to which autonomy is granted and is desi gnated to be so by the
Statutes;
(7) “bodies” means the bodies of the university formed by the respective authorities;
(8) “Chancellor” and “Vice -Chancellor” means, respectively, the Chancellor and the
Vice-Chancellor of the university;
(9) “choice based credit system” means the curric ular system that offers multiple
interdisciplinary choices for students to select from the courses (core, elective or minor or soft
skill courses) to accumulate credits as prescribed in Statutes;
(10) “cluster university” means the cluster university esta blished under sub -section ( 6) of
section 3 of the Act;
(11) “collaboration” means collaborative academic activity of the university or college or
institution with other universities, academic institutions including local, regional, national or
international institutions, research institutions and organizations in the field of agriculture,
industry, trade and commerce, sports, social, cultural, science, technology and any other field;
(12) “college” means a college affiliated to the university, situated in the university area or
jurisdiction;
(13) “ College Development Committee ” means the College Development Committee
constituted under section 97 of this Act;
(14) “Collegium of Heads of Department of Affiliated Colleges and recognized institutions”
means a n electoral college consisting of heads of departments from affiliated colleges and
recognized institutions who shall elect from amongst themselves as members to the concerned
authorities;
(15) “Collegium of Graduates of the University ” means an electoral college consisting of
registered graduates of the university, who shall elect from amongst themselves as members to
the different authorities;
(16) “Collegium of Management Representatives” means an electoral college consisting of
representatives of mana gement committees of affiliated or autonomous colleges or institutions
who shall elect from amongst themselves as members to the different authorities;
(17) “Collegium of Principals” means an electoral college consisting of fulltime approved
Principals and Directors of recognized institutions who shall elect from amongst themselves as
members to the different authorities;
(18) “ Collegium of Teachers” means an electoral college consisting of fulltime approved
teachers from affiliated and autonomous college s and recognized i nstitutions, who shall elect
from amongst themselves as members to the different authorities;
(19) “Collegium of University Teachers” means an electoral college consisting of fulltime
teachers from University Departments, University Institutions, and Conducted Colleges appointed
by university who shall elect from amongst themselves as members to the different authorities;
(20) “Commission” means the Maharashtra State Commission for Higher Education and
Development constituted under section 76 of this Act;
(21) “community college” means an institution providing skill -based academic programs as
prescribed in the Statutes;
(22) “conducted college” means a college maintained and managed by the university;
(23) “De-notified Tribes ( Vimukta Jatis)” means tribes declared as such by the State
Government, from time to time;
2017 : Mah. VI] The Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016 11
(24) “department” means a department teaching a particular subject or a group of subjects in
a college or an institution as prescribed in the Statutes;
(25) “Director” means a head of an institution including a centre or a school of the
university as designated by the Management Council or a head of a recognized institution;
(26) “Director of Higher Education” and “ Director of Technical Education ” means
respectively, Direct or of Higher Education, Maharashtra State and Director of Technical
Education, Maharashtra State;
(27) “Empowered Autonomous College” means an autonomous college that is identified by
the university Grants Commission as College with potential for Excellenc e or College
Excellence, which has high level grade as specified by the Government by notification in the
Official Gazette as has been given the status of Empowered Autonomous College by the
Authority under the Statutes, with a power to grant degree of suc h College jointly with the
affiliating University;
(28) “Empowered Autonomous Cluster Institutions” means a group of autonomous Colleges
or institutions of the same management or educational society which includes the colleges or
institutions, identified by the University Grants Commission as College with potential for
excellence or College of excellence, which have high level grade as specified by the Government
by notification in the Official Gazette as has been given the status of Empowered Autonomous
Cluster Institution by the Authority under the Statutes, and is empowered to grant a joint degree
with the affiliating University;
(29) “ Empowered Autonomous Skills Development College” means a college which has
been recognized by the university fo r conduc ting the skills develop ment programmes as
prescribed by the university as per the National, State Level policy regarding Skills Qualification
and Education Framework and which is given the status of Empowered Autonomous Skills
Development College by the university to which it is affiliated and is empower ed to grant a joint
degree, certificate, diploma and advanced diploma with the affiliating university;
(30) “fee” means tuition fees, other fees and charges, including developmental charges;
(31) “ Head of the University Department”, “ Head of the Institution ” and “Head of the
College Department” means respectively, a Head of the University Department, a head of the
recognized institution and a head of the college department, as prescribed in the Statutes;
(32) “ higher education ” means the pursuit of knowledge beyond learning at the stage of
higher secondary school education;
(33) “Hostel” means a place of residence for the students of the university or a college or an
institution, provided, established, mai ntained by the university or college or institution, as the
case may be;
(34) “institution” means an academic institution of higher learning, not being a college,
associated with and admitted to the privileges of the university;
(35) “inter-disciplinary studies” means the combined academic studies and research in
different disciplines as prescribed by statutes;
(36) “Knowledge Resource Centre ” means a li brary established by the univer sity on the
campus or sub -campuses of the university to hold in print, electronic and audio -video format
material, monographs, reference volumes, text and review books, all types of journals and any
other material in various format useful for education, research, extension services or for similar
purposes;
(37) “management” means the trustees or the managing or governing body, by whatever
name called, of any trust registered under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act (XXIX of 1950), or
any society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860 ) or a Company
registered under section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) , under the management of
which one or more colleges or recognized institutions or other institutions of higher learning, are
conducted and admitted to the privileges of the university:
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Provided that, in relation to any college or institution established or maintained by the
Central Government or the State Government or a local authority like a Zilla Parishad, Municipal
Council or Municipa l Corporation, it means, respec tively, the Central Gove rnment or the State
Government or Zilla Parishad or the Municipal Council or the Municipal Corporation, as the case
may be;
(38) “multi -disciplinary studies” means the combined academic studies and research in
different streams of a particular discipline as prescribed by Statutes;
(39) “Nomadic Tribes” means tribes wandering from place to place in search of their
livelihood, as declared by the State Government, from time to time;
(40) “non-vacational academic staff” means such staff as the State Government may classify
to be non -vacational academic staff and includes all such staff which is complimentary to
academic staff but, shall not include the staff engaged purely in disch arging administrative
functions;
(41) “Other Backward Classes” means any social ly and educationally backward classes of
citizens as declared by the State Government and includes Other Backward Classes declared by
the Government of India in relation to the State of Maharashtra;
(42) “post-graduate department” means a department in a college or institution of higher
learning, research or specialized studies, recognized to be so by the university and imparting
post-graduate instruction or guidance for research;
(43) “prescribed” means prescribed by Statutes or Ordinances or Regulation s, as the case
may be, made by or under this Act;
(44) “Principal” means a teacher who is duly approved as a Principal by the university;
(45) “ Pro-Vice-Chancellor” means the academic and executive officer, next to the
Vice-Chancellor having purview of the entire university;
(46) “recognized institution” means an institution of higher learning, research or specialized
studies, other than a college, and recognized to be so by the university;
(47) “ registered graduate ” means a graduate of a university re gistered or deemed to be
registered by or under this Act with one of the universities;
(48) “ satellite centre ” means an integral part of an affiliated or conducted college or
recognized institution imparting academic programmes, co -curricular, research an d extension
activities in rural or tribal region, neighbouring the location of such college or institution,
established with the object of reaching the unreached, on the terms and conditions specified by
the State Government by an Order in the Official Gazette;
(49) “Schedule” means the Schedule to this Act;
(50) “Scheduled Castes” means such castes, races or tribes or parts of, or groups within,
such castes, races or tribes as are deemed to be Scheduled Castes, in relation to the State of
Maharashtra under article 341 of the Constitution of India;
(51) “ Scheduled Tribes ” means such tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups
within, such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed to be Scheduled Tribes in relation to the
State of Maharashtra under article 342 of the Constitution of India residing in any part of the
State of Maharashtra;
(52) “ school” means a school of studies maintained by or recognized as such by the
university or autonomous college, Empo wered Autonomous College, Empow ered Autono mous
Cluster Institution;
(53) “Skills Knowledge Provider ” means an i nstitution which has been recog nized by the
university for conducting such courses as prescribed by the un iversity as per the National, State
Level policy regarding Skills Qualification Framework;
(54) “Special Backward Category ” means socially and educationally backward classes of
citizens declared as a Special Backward Category by the State Government;
2017 : Mah. VI] The Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016 13
(55) “State” means the State of Maharashtra;
(56) “State Government” or “Government” means the Government of Maharashtra;
(57) “Statutes”, “Ordinances” and “ Regulations” means, respectively, the Stat utes,
Ordinances and Regulations of the university, made by or under this Act;
(58) “Student” means an individual who is adm itted and regi stered for an aca demic
programme of the University or affiliated, conducted, autonomous colleges and recognized
institutions of the University;
(59) “Students’ Council” means the Students’ Council established under section 99 of the Act;
(60) “Sub-Campus” means a comprehensive inherent independent unit of the university for
a predetermined geographical jurisdiction for decentralization of academic, administrative,
research and extension activities of that jurisdiction, with the objective of improvi ng efficiency
and effectiveness;
(61) “teacher” means full-time approved professor, associate professor, assis tant professor,
reader, lecturer, librarian, principal, Director of an institution, Director of Knowledge Resource
Centre, Director of Centre of Lifelong Learning and Extension, deputy or assistant librarian in the
university, college librarian, Director or instructor of physical education in any university
department, conducted, affiliated or autonomous college, autonomous institution or department or
recognized institution of the university;
(62) “Tribunal” means the tribunal established under section 80 of the Act;
1[(63) “university” means any of the public univ ersities mentioned in the Sched ule A and
Schedule B;
(64) “university area” means the area specified against the name of the university in
2[the Schedule A;]
(65) “university department” means a department established and maintained by the
university as prescribed by the Statutes;
(66) “University Grants Commission” means the University Grants Commission established
under the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956);
(67) “university institution” means a centre, a school, or an institute established and
maintained by the university as prescribed by the Statutes;
(68) “university teacher” means a full time teacher appointed by the university.
CHAPTER II
PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
3. Incorporation of Universities. — (1) Each of the existing public universities specified in
column (1) of Part I of 3[the Schedule A], with effect from the date of commencement of this Act, shall
be deemed to be constituted under this Act for the same area specified in column ( 2) of the said part,
for which it was constituted immediately before the date of commencement of this Act.
(2) The State Government may, f rom time to time, by notification in the Official Gazette ,
constitute any new university under this Act by such name, for such area and with effect from such
date, as may be specified by it, and insert necessary entries in Part II of 4[the Schedule A]; and may for
that purpose or any other purposes specified in that behalf diminish, increase or alter the area of any
existing or new university, by suitably amending the Schedule, by the said notification, and thereupon
the entries in column (2) of Part I, or in column (2) of Part II, as the case may be, of 5[the Schedule A],
shall stand amended accordingly, and all educational institutions, whether colleges, institutions,
1 Clause (63) was substituted by Mah. 34 of 2022, s. 2(a).
2 These words were substituted for the words “the Schedule” by Mah. 34 of 2022, s. 2(b).
3 These words were substituted for the words “the Schedule” by Mah. 34 of 2022, s. 3(a).
4 These words were substituted for the words “the Schedule” by Mah. 34 of 2022, s. 3(a).
5 These words were substituted for the words “the Schedule” by Mah. 34 of 2022, s. 3(a).
14 The Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016 [2017 : Mah. VI
autonomous or empowered autonomous colleges, empowered autonomous cluster institutions,
post-graduate departments, schools on the sub -campuses, by whatever name called, within the area of
the new university, which are affiliated to or recognized by the existing university shall, from the date
aforesaid, stand affiliated to or recognized by the new university:
Provided that, no such notification shall be issued except on a resolution passed by both Houses
of the State Legislature.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub -section (2), if, in the exigency of circumstances
the new university considers it expedient that certain privileges of the existing university to which such
educational institutions as referred to in sub -section ( 2), were entitled immediately before the date
specified under the said sub-section, should be continued for a certain period, not exceeding a period of
five years in the aggregate, after the date aforesaid, the new university may accordingly forward its
recommendations to the State Government and on receipt of such recommendations the State
Government may, if it i s satisfied that such privileges should be so continued, by notification in the
Official Gazette, provide that for such period, as may be specified in the notification, such privileges
shall continue.
(4) The Chancellor, Vice -Chancellor, Pro -Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, members of the Senate,
Management Council and Academic Council for the time being holding office as such in each
university are hereby constituted and declared to be a body corporate by the name specified therefor in
1[the Schedule A] and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and may by that name sue
and be sued.
(5) Each university shall be competent to acquire and hold property, both movable and
immovable, to lease, sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any movable or immova ble property,
which may vest in or be acquired by it for the purposes of the university, and to contract and do all
other things necessary for the purposes of this Act:
Provided that, no such lease, sale or transfer of such property shall be made without the valuation
made thereof by the approved valuer appointed by the university and without the prior consent of the
State Government.
2[(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act,—
(a) each of the existing cluster university specified in column ( 1) of Part I of the
Schedule B shall, with effect from the date on which it is constituted, before the date of
commencement of the Maharashtra Public Universities (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Mah. XXXIV
of 2022) be a public university and be deemed to be constit uted under this Act consisting of the
lead college or institution and constituent colleges or institutions as specified in columns ( 2)
and (3) of the said Part;
(b) the State Government may, by notification in Official Gazette,—
3[(i) constitute a cluster university comprising of cluster of colleges or institutions,
fulfilling such norms or criteria and complying such terms and conditions as laid down by
the Central Government or the State Government or the University Grants Commission,
from time to time, and shall specify therein the lead college or institution and constituent
colleges or institutions of such university;]
(ii) amend or insert necessary entry regarding cluster University in Part I or Part II of
the Schedule B, as the case may be; and ther eupon, the said Schedule shall stand amended
accordingly;
(iii) provide that such cluster university shall comprise of such university authorities
and shall exercise such powers and perform such functions of university as may be specified
in the notification;
1 These words were substituted for the words “the Schedule” by Mah. 34 of 2022, s. 3(a).
2 Sub-section (6) was substituted by Mah. 34 of 2022, s. 3(b).
3 Sub-clause (i) was substituted by Mah. 14 of 2025, s. 2.
2017 : Mah. VI] The Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016 15
(iv) provide for such other supplemental, incidental and consequential provisions as
the State Government may deem necessary, as may be specified in the notification:
Provided that, every such notification shall be laid as soon as may be, after it is i ssued,
before each House of the State Legislature.]
4. Object of University. — The objects of the university, in general, shall be to disseminate,
create and preserve knowledge and understanding by teaching, research and development, skill
development, tra ining and education, extension and service and by ef fective demon stration and
influence of its corporate life on society in general, and in particular, the objects shall be to,—
(1) carry out its responsibility of creation, preservation and dissemination of knowledge;
(2) promote discipline and the spirit of intellectual inquiry and to dedicate itself as a fearless
academic community to the sustained pursuit of excellence;
(3) encourage individuality and diversity within a climate of tol erance and mutual
understanding;
(4) promote freedom, secularism, equality, social justice as enshrined in the Constitution of
India, and to be catalyst in patriotic socio -economic transformation by promoting basic attitudes
and values of essence to national development;
(5) promote the conducive environment for ensuring soc ial harmony, co-existence, integral
humanism and upliftment of the poorest of the poor;
(6) extend the benefits of knowledge and skills for development of individuals and society
by associating the university closely with local, regional and national problems of development;
(7) carry out social responsibility as an informed and objective critic, to identify and
cultivate talent, to train the right kind of leadership in all walks of life and to help y ounger
generation to develop right attitudes, interests and values;
(8) promote equitable distribution of teaching, learning, training and other support services
facilities of higher education;
(9) provide for efficient and responsive administration, sci entific and technology
management and develop organization of teaching, learning, training, research and extension;
(10) devise motivational systems to ensure that individual cognitive abilities are not
constrained but rather the innovative spirit and des ire to make true contribution and realize
self-achievement is nurtured;
(11) promote acquisition of knowledge in a rapidly developing and changing society and to
continually offer opportunities of upgrading knowledge, training and skills in the context o f
innovations, research and discovery in all fields of human endeavour by developing a higher
educational network with use of modern communication media, information and communication
technology and other emerging and future technologies appropriate for a learning society;
(12) promote national integration, fraternity and preserve cultural heritage and inculcate
respect towards different religions and diverse cultures of India through the study of different
religions, literature, history, science, art, civilizations and cultures;
(13) develop work culture and promote dignity of labour through applied components in the
syllabi;
(14) build up financial self -sufficiency by undertaking academic teaching, training and
allied programmes, research and developmen t activities for public and private industries,
Governmental organizations at local, regional, national and global level and resource generative
services in a cost-effective manner;
(15) promote better interaction and co -ordination among different univers ities, institutions
and colleges in the given university, other universities in the State, in the region, in the nation and
at global level by all such means generally to improve the governance of the university and
facility it provides for higher education;
16 The Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016 [2017 : Mah. VI
(16) generate and promote a sense of self -respect and dignity amongst the weaker sections
of the society;
(17) to promote gender equality and sensitivity in society;
(18) strive to promote competitive merit and excellence as the sole guiding criterio n in all
academic and other matters relating to students.
5. Powers and duties of U niversity.— The university shall have the following powers and
duties, namely :—
(1) to provide for instructions, extension, teaching, learning and training in such branches or
subjects or disciplines and courses of study including a choice based credit system and any other
system that may emerge in future, as the university may, from time to time, determine;
(2) to make provision for research and for the advancement and d issemination of
knowledge, and generally to cultivate and promote the arts (including fine arts and performing
arts), humanities, social sciences, accounts and commerce, pure and applied sciences,
technologies, managements, di fferent forms of medicine, eng ineering, law, physical education
and other branches of learning and culture and their multi -disciplinary and inter -disciplinary
areas;
(3) to make provision to enable conducted and affiliated colleges and recognized institutions
to undertake specialized studies;
(4) to make provisions for creation of autonomous, empowered autonomous and empowered
autonomous cluster of institutions;
(5) to develop procedures and processes for recognition of private skills education providers
and empowered autonomous skills development colleges;
(6) to organize, maintain and manage university departments, schools, institutions,
laboratories, knowledge resource centers, learning resource centers, libraries, museums and
equipment for teaching, learning, training, research and development or extension;
(7) to establish, maintain and manage departments, institutions of research, institutions of
specialized studies or academic services unit;
(8) to establish, maintain and manage constituent, community and conducted colleges,
institutions, hostels, health centers, auditoria and gymnasiums;
(9) to provide for establishment, on the university campus and Sub -Campuses, of
autonomous institutions like multi -university and inter -university centers, research laboratories,
modern inst rumentation centers and like centers of learning, set up by the University Grants
Commission, Central Government or the State Government, teaching or learning or training
colleges or institutions at local, regional, national and global level, which may be used by a
university or college or group of universities or colleges:
Provided that, in the case of any industry or any non -Government organization availing
themselves of such facility of a university or such organizations providing the facility to a
university, prior approval of the State Government shall be obtained by the university concerned;
(10) to provide for establishment of sub -campuses for serving a group of colleges, and also
to provide for and maintain common resource centers in such sub -campuses in the form of
post-graduate departments, multi -disciplinary or interdisciplinary schools, knowledge resource
centers, libraries, laboratories, computer centers, and the like centers of learning and skills
training, as per the guidelines laid down by the State Government or the University Grants
Commission;
(11) to create posts of directors, principals, university teachers, non-vacation academic staff,
non-teaching skilled, administrative, ministerial staff and other posts required by the university,
from its funds and from the funds received from other funding agencies, prescribe their
qualifications, experience and pay-scales, and make appointments thereto;
2017 : Mah. VI] The Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016 17
(12) to make appointments to the posts of directors, principals, university teachers,
non-vacation academic staff, non-teaching skilled, administrative, ministerial staff and other posts
sanctioned by the State Government as per the qualifications and experience specified by the
State Government and the University Grants Commission;
(13) to appoi nt or recognize persons working in any other university or organization as
adjunct professors, adjunct associate professors, adjunct assistant professors, visiting professors
of the university for specified periods;
(14) to facilitate mobility of teachers within the university and to other universities with the
consent of the teacher concerned;
(15) to prescribe the courses of instruction and studies for the various examinations leading
to specific degrees and diplomas or certificates;
(16) to prescribe the courses of instruction and studies in choice based credit system for the
various examinations leading to specific degrees, diplomas or certificates in a stand -alone format
or joint format with other State or national or global universities;
(17) to ma ke provision, wherever feasible, in the university departments, colleges,
institutions, recognized institutions and schools, for survey and collection of statistics, data and
other particulars relevant to various developmental activities including State an d National plans,
evaluation of the developmental schemes with the participation of the students as a part of their
curricular activities;
(18) to supervise, control and regulate admission of students for various courses of study in
university departments , schools, multi -disciplinary and inter -disciplinary schools , community,
conducted and affiliated colleges, institutions and recognized institutions;
(19) to guide teaching in colleges by deputation of teachers from a pool of teachers of the
university and supplement teaching in colleges for improving their standards;
(20) to institute degrees and post -graduate diplomas and post -higher secondary diplomas,
certificates and other academic distinctions on the basis of examinations or by other tests or
otherwise;
(21) to hold examinations or evaluations and confer degrees and post-graduate diplomas and
award post -higher secondary diplomas and certificates and other academic distinctions on
persons who,—
(a) unless exempted therefrom in the manner prescribed , have pursued approved
courses of study in the university, or in a college or in an institution or a recognized
institution or a school and have passed the examinations and earned the required credits or
marks or grades prescribed by the university; or
(b) have pursued approved courses of study in the university, or in a college or in an
institution or a recognized institution or in an autonomous college or an autonomous
recognized institution or in empowered autonomous college or empowered autonomous
cluster institutions or a school and have passed the examinations and earned the required
credits or marks or grades prescribed by the university; or
(c) have engaged in research under conditions provided by Ordinances and
Regulations;
(22) to confer and aw ard such degrees, diplomas and certificates to, and provide for such
lectures, instructions and training for external students, and the students under correspondence
and distance education, online and continuing education courses;
(23) to confer honorary degrees or other academic distinctions as prescriExcerpt shown. Open the full act in Lexace.