The Calcutta University Act, 1979

GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL 
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT 
West Bengal Act XXXVIII of 1979 
THE CALCUTTA UNIVERSITY ACT, 1979. 
[Passed by the West Bengal Legislature.] 
[Assent of the Governor was first published in the Calcutta Gazette, 
Extraordinary, of the 31st December, 1979.] 
[31st December, 1979.] 
An Act to provide for the reconstitution of the University of Calcutta 
and for certain matters incidental thereto and connected 
therewith. 
WHEREAS it is expedient to reconstitute the University of Calcutta to 
enable it to function more efficiently as a University encouraging and 
providing for instruction, teaching, training and research in various 
branches of learning and courses of study, promoting advancement and 
dissemination of knowledge and learning, and extending higher 
education, to meet the growing needs of society and to make the 
constitution of various authorities or bodies of the University more 
democratic; 
It is hereby enacted in the Thirtieth Year of the Republic of India, by 
the Legislature of West Bengal, as follows:— 
CHAPTER I 
Preliminary. 
1. (1) This Act may be called the Calcutta University Act, 
1979. 
(2) This section and section 59 shall come into force at once; and 
the remaining provisions of this Act shall come into force on such date 
or dates as the State Government may, by notification in the Official 
Gazette, appoint, and different dates may be appointed for different 
provisions of this Act. 
Shorttitle 
and commen-
cement. 
289 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
[West Ben. Act 
Definitions. 
(Chapter I.—Preliminary.—Section 2.) 
2. In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or 
context,— 
(1) "affiliated" in relation to a college or an institution means 
affiliated to the University of Calcutta as constituted prior 
to the appointed day and continuing as such immediately 
before such day or affiliated to the University under 
this Act; 
(2) "appointed day" means the date referred to in sub-section (5) 
of section 59; 
(3) "Calcutta" means Calcutta as defined in the Calcutta 
Municipal Act, 1951, excluding the area referred to in 
clause (2) of section 5 of the Jadavpur University Act, 1955; 
(4) "Calcutta University Students' Union" means the students' 
union recognized as such by the University; 
(5) "constituent college" means an affiliated college in which 
instruction is provided, under prescribed conditions, for 
honours as well as for post-graduate courses of study, 
and which is recognized under this Act as a constituent 
college: 
Provided that, if in any professional subject no honours 
courses of study have been prescribed, a professional college 
may be a constituent college although no instruction is 
provided in that college for honours courses of study in that 
subject; 
(6) "convocation" means a meeting of the Senate for the purpose 
of conferring degrees, titles, diplomas, certificates or other 
academic distinctions; 
(7) "employee" in relation to the University means a person 
other than a Teacher or an officer, employed by the University; 
(8) "financial year" means the year ending on the 31st day of 
March; 
(9) "Government College" means a college maintained and 
managed by the State Government; 
(10) "Governor" means the Governor of the State of West Bengal; 
(11) "hall" means a unit of residence of students maintained by 
the University; 
(12) "hostel" means a unit of residence for students, not main-
tained by the University but recognised under this Act as a 
hostel; 
West Ben. 
ActXXXIII 
of 1951. 
West Ben. 
ActXXXIII 
of 1955. 
290 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
XXXVIII of 1979.] 
(Chapter 1.—Preliminary.—Section 2.) 
(13) "Librarian" means,— 
(a) in relation to the University, a Librarian or any other 
person holding a post of Librarian, by whatever 
name called, appointed or recognized as such by the 
University, and 
(b) in relation to a college affiliated to the University, 
a Librarian or any other person holding a post of 
Librarian, by whatever name called, appointed or 
recognized by the University or appointed by such 
college; 
(14) "Minister" means the Minister-in-charge of HigherEducation 
appointed as such by the Governor; 
(15) "non-taching staff' means,— 
(a) in relation to the University, the non-taching staff, not 
holding any teaching post (including part-time teaching 
post), appointed or recognized as such by the University, 
and 
(b) in relation to an affiliated college, the non-teaching 
staff, not holding any teaching post (including part-time 
teaching post), appointed or recognized by the University 
or appointed by such college, but does not include a 
Librarian; 
(16) "prescribed" means prscribed by Statutes or Ordinances or 
Regulations; 
(17) "Principal" means the head of a college or of an institution, 
by whatever name called; 
(18) "professional college" means a University College or an 
affiliated college in which instruction is provided primarily 
for courses of study leading to any degree, diploma or 
certificate of the University in any professional subject 
and which is recognized under this Act as a professional 
college; 
(19) "professional subject" means any of the following subjects, 
namely, law, medicine, dental science, homoeopathy, 
ayurved, engineering, tachers' training, technology, 
agriculture, journalism, management studies or such other 
subject as may be prescribed by Regulations; 
291 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter 1.—Preliminary—Section 2.) 
(20) "registered graduate" means a graduate registered under this 
Act, at least three months prior to the date of election of 
members to the Senate, on application in the prescribed form 
and on payment of a fee of rupee one and includes a graduate 
registered under the Calcutta University Act, 1904, or under 
the Calcutta University Act, 1951, or under the Calcutta 
University Act, 1966: 
Provided that no person shall be eligible to be registered 
under this Act unless he has graduated himself from the 
University at least three years prior to the date of election of 
members to the Senate; 
(21) "Statutes", "Ordinances" and "Regulations" mean, 
respectively, the Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations and 
under this Act, and they shall be deemed to be rules within 
the meaning of clause (36) of section 3 of the Bengal General 
Clauses Act, 1899; 
(22) "Students' Union" in relation to an undergraduate college 
means the students' union recognized as such by such 
college; 
(23) "Teacher" means a Professor, Reader, Principal, Lecturer, 
Demonstrator, Tutor or any other person, holding a teaching 
post including a part-time teaching post, appointed or 
recognized by the University or appointed by an affiliated 
college or institution; 
(24) "Teacher of the University" means a Professor, Reader, 
Lecturer or any other person, holding a teaching post including 
a part-time teaching post, appointed or recognized as such by 
the University; 
(25) "the University" means the University of Calcutta as 
constituted under this Act; 
(26) "Tripura Council" means the Tripura Autonomus Council 
for the Agartala Post-graduate Centre and the affiliated 
colleges of Tripura; 
(27) "University College" means a college, or an institute, or a 
college combined with an institute, maintained and managed 
by the University, whether established by it or not; 
(28) "University Laboratory", "University Library", "University 
Museum" or "University Institution" means a laboratory, a 
library, a museum or an institution, as the case may be, 
maintained and managed by the University, whether 
established by it or not; 
8 of 1904. 
West Ben. 
Act XVIII 
of 1951. 
West Ben. 
Act II of 
1966. 
Ben. Act I 
of 1899. 
292 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
XXXVIII of 1979.] 
(Chapter 11.—The University and its officers.—Sections 3, 4.) 
(29) "University Professor", "University Reader" or "University 
Lecturer" means a Professor, Reader or Lecturer appointed 
or recognized as such by the University. 
CHAP 1ER II 
The University and its officers. 
3. (1) The first Chancellor and the first Vice-Chancellor of the 
University and the first members of the Senate and the Syndicate, and all 
persons who may hereafter become the Chancellor or the Vice-Chancellor 
of the University or the members of the Senate or the Syndicate, so long 
as they continue to hold such office or membership, shall constitute a body 
corporate by the name of the University of Calcutta. 
(2) The University shall have perpetual succession and a common 
seal and shall sue and be sued by the name of the University of 
Calcutta. 
4. The University shall have the following powers, namely:— 
(1) to encourage and provide for instruction, teaching, training 
and research in such branches of learning and courses of 
study as it may think fit, and generally to promote the 
advancement and dissemination of knowledge and learning, 
and the extension of higher education; 
(2) to establish, maintain and manage colleges, libraries, 
laboratories, museums and such other institutions or centres 
for study and research as it may deem necessary; 
(3) to provide for specialisation of studies in colleges and for 
organization by colleges of common laboratories, libraries, 
museums and other institutions or centres for study and 
research work; 
(4) to affiliate to itself or to recognize colleges or institutions or 
centres; 
(5) to recognize affiliated colleges as constituent colleges or 
professional colleges and to withdraw recognition of any 
such college; 
(6) to prescribe for colleges, other than Government Colleges,— 
(a) the constitution, powers and functions of their Governing 
Bodies, 
(b) the terms and conditions of service and emoluments for 
posts of Principals, Teachers and such other employees 
as it may deem fit, and 
(c) the rules for Provident Funds; 
(7) to prescribe for colleges the rules for Teachers' Councils; 
(8) to provide for the inspection, or investigation into the affairs, 
of colleges or institutions recognised by it or affiliated to it 
and to exercise general supervision and control over them; 
The 
University. 
Powers 
of the 
University. 
293 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter 11.—The University and its officers.—Section 4.) 
(9) to disaffiliate a college or an institution in any subject or 
subjects, or to withdraw affiliation or recognition of colleges 
or institutions, if necessary; 
(10) to take over for a period of twelve months the management 
of any college or institution, affiliated to, or recognised by, 
the University, other than a Government College or institution, 
in order to ensure that proper standards of teaching, training 
or instruction are maintained therein: 
Provided that the University may, if it considers it necessary 
so to do, extend such period so, however, that the aggregate 
period shall not exceed eighteen months; 
(11) to dissolve the Governing Body of any affiliated, constituent 
or professional college or institution, other than a Government 
College, and, pending reconstitution of the Governing Body 
thereof in such manner as may be prescribed, to appoint an 
Administrator or an ad hoc Governing Body: 
Provided that the reconstitution of the Governing Body 
shall be made within a period of twelve months from the date 
of dissolution: 
Provided further that the University may, if it considers it 
necessary so to do, extend such period so, however, that the 
aggregate period shall not exceed eighteen months; 
(12) to institute Professorships, Readerships, Lectureships, and 
other teaching posts required by the University and to appoint 
persons to such Professorships, Readerships, Lectureships 
or other teaching posts, or to recognize persons as Professors, 
Readers or Lecturers of the University, or as holders of other 
teaching posts of the University; 
(13) to create posts, as and when required, of officers and employees 
of the University besides those provided for in this Act; 
(14) to prescribe, subject to the provisions of this Act, the 
constitution, powers and duties of the Boards of Studies, the 
Finance Committee, and other bodies; 
(15) to prescribe the powers and duties of officers of the University 
other than the Chancellor; 
(16) to prescribe, subject to the provisions of this Act, the terms 
and conditions of service, including the rules of conduct and 
discipline, and the emoluments for all posts of Teachers and 
employees of the University and for all posts of officers other 
than the Chancellor; 
(17) to make provisions for provident and other funds for the 
Teachers and for officers and employees of the University, 
other than the Chancellor; 
294 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
XXXVIII of 1979.] 
(Chapter 11—The University and its officers.—Section 4.) 
(18) to institute degrees, titles, diplomas, certificates, and other 
academic distinctions; 
(19) to hold examinations and to confer degrees, titles, diplomas, 
certificates and other academic distinctions on persons who— 
(a) shall have pursued an approved course of study in an 
affiliated, constituent, professional or University College 
or a University Laboratory unless exempted therefrom 
in the manner prescribed, and shall have passed the 
prescribed examinations of the University, or 
(b) shall have carried on research under conditions 
prescribed; 
(20) to withdraw or to cancel degrees, titles, diplomas, certificates 
or other academic distinctions under such conditions as may 
be prescribed by Statutes and after giving the person affected 
a reasonable opportunity to present his case; 
(21) to confer honorary degrees or other academic distinctions 
under conditions prescribed; 
(22) to prescribe fees or other charges for examinations and other 
purposes, and to demand and receive the fees or other charges 
so prescribed; 
(23) to establish, maintain and manage halls, to recognize hostels, 
and to withdraw such recognition; 
(24) to provide for the promotion of the health and welfare of 
students and of discipline among them; 
(25) to co-ordinate the activities of, and give financial aid to, 
affiliated or recognized colleges and institutions; 
(26) to make grants to the National Cadet Corps from the University 
Fund; 
(27) to enter into an agreement with the Government or with any 
person, body or authority for the taking over by the University 
of the management of any college or institution, including its 
assets and liabilities, or for any other purpose not repugnant 
to the provisions of this Act; 
(28) to acquire, hold and dispose of property, movable and 
immovable, and to make grants and advances for furthering 
any of its objects; 
(29) to accept and administer gifts, endowments and benefactions, 
for the furtherance of any of its objects for the University or 
for or on behalf of any college or institution established by, 
affiliated to, or recognized by, the University, and to institute 
awards, fellowships, travelling fellowships, scholarships, 
studentships, stipends, bursaries, exhibitions, medals and 
prizes; 
295 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
[West Ben. Act 
Jurisdiction 
of the 
University. 
Officers 
of the 
University. 
(Chapter I1.—The University and its officers.—Sections 5, 6.) 
(30) to accept grants and to raise loans or to accept loans from the 
Central or any State Government or the University Grants 
Commission, and with the approval of the State Government 
also from other sources; 
(31) to co-operate with other universities, institutions and 
educational authorities in matters that relate to and further 
the educational objectives of the University; 
(32) generally to do all such acts and things as may be necessary 
or desirable for, or incidental to, the advancement of the 
objects or purposes of the University. 
5. (1) Save as hereinafter otherwise provided, the local limits of 
jurisdiction of the University (hereinafter referred to as the territorial 
limits of the University) shall extend to the whole of West Bengal, but 
nothing in this Act shall affect the powers exercised or exercisable by 
the university known as Rabindra Bharati established and incorporated 
under the Rabindra Bharati Act, 1961. 
(2) Notwithstanding anything in sub-section (1), the territorial 
limits of the University shall not include any area which, for the time 
being, is included within the local limits of jurisdiction of any other 
university, not being the university known as Rabindra Bharati referred 
to in sub-section (1), established by law within West Bengal. 
(3) The University shall, in respect of every college or institution 
situated outside the territorial limits of the University, but deemed to be 
affiliated to it on the appointed day under clause (b) of sub-section (9) of 
section 59, continue to exercise the powers conferred by or under this Act 
until such college or institution is disaffiliated in accordance with the 
provisions of this Act. 
(4) Any college or institution situated outside the territorial limits of 
the University may, with the sanction of the State Government, apply to 
the University for admission to the privileges of the University, and such 
college or institution may, subject to such conditions and restrictions as 
the University may, with the approval of the State Government, think fit 
to impose, be admitted to the privileges of the University. 
6. The following shall be the officers of the University:— 
(1) the Vice-Chancellor; 
(2) the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs; 
(3) the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and Finance; 
(4) the Registrar; 
(5) persons holding such other posts as may be declared by 
Statutes to be posts of officers of the University; 
West Ben. 
Act XXIX of 
1961. 
296 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
XXXVIII of 1979.] 
(Chapter II.—The University and its officers.—Sections 7, 8.) 
7. (1) The Governor shall, by virtue of his office, be the Chancellor The 
of the University. He shall be the head of the University and the Chancellor.  
President of the Senate and shall, when present, preside at the meetings 
of the Senate. 
(2) The Chancellor shall have the power to remove the Vice-
Chancellor or the Pro-Vice-Chancellors from office by an order in writing 
in this behalf on the charges of misappropriation or mismanagement of 
funds of the University or misbehaviour: 
Provided that such charges are proved by an inquiry conducted 
by a person, who is or has been a judge of a High Court or of the 
Supreme Court, appointed by the Chancellor for the purpose: 
Provided further that the Vice-Chancellor or the Pro-Vice-
Chancellors shall not be removed under this sub-section unless he has 
been given a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against the action 
proposed to be taken against him. 
(3) The Chancellor shall exercise such powerS as may be conferred 
on him by or under the provisions of this Act. 
(4) Where power is conferred upon the Chancellor to make 
nominations to any authority or body of the University, the Chancellor 
shall, to the extent necessary, nominate persons to represent interests 
not otherwise adequately represented. 
(5) Every proposal to confer any honorary degree shall be subject to 
confirmation by the Chancellor. 
8. (1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Chancellor on The Vice-
the unanimous recommendation of the Senate. If the Senate fails to Chancellor.  
make any such recommendation, the Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed 
by the Chancellor in consultation with the Minister from a panel of three 
persons to be elected by the Senate in accordance with the system of 
proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. 
(2) (a) The Vice-Chancellor shall hold office for a period of four 
years or till he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier, and shall, 
subject to the provisions of this section, be eligible for re-appointment 
for a period not exceeding four years. 
(b) The Chancellor may, notwithstanding the expiration of the term 
of the office of the Vice-Chancellor or his attaining the age of 65 years, 
allow him to continue in office till a successor assumes office, provided 
that he shall not continue as such for any period exceeding one year. 
(3) The Vice-Chancellor shall be a whole-time officer of the 
University and shall be paid from the University Fund a salary of 
three thousand and five hundred rupees per month and such allowances 
as the Chancellor may decide. 
297 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
[West Ben. Act 
Powers and 
duties of 
the Vice-
Chancellor. 
(Chapter 11.—The University and its officers.—Section 9.) 
(4) The Vice-Chancellor may resign his office by writing under his 
hand addressed to the Chancellor. 
(5) If— 
(a) the Vice-Chancellor is, by reason of leave, illness or other 
cause, temporarily unable to exercise the powers and 
perform the duties of his office, or 
(b) a vacancy occurs in the office of the Vice-Chancellor by 
reason of death, resignation or expiry of the term of his 
office, removal or otherwise, 
then, during the period of such temporary inability or pending the 
appointment of a Vice-Chancellor, as the case may be, the Pro-Vice-
Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall exercise the powers and perform 
the duties of the Vice-Chancellor. 
(6) The vacancy in the office of the Vice-Chancellor occurring by 
reason of death, resignation or expiry of the term of his office, removal or 
otherwise shall be filled up by appointment of a Vice-Chancellor in 
accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) within a period of six 
months from the date of occurrence of the vacancy. 
9. (1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the principal executive and 
academic officer of the University and shall, in the absence of the 
Chancellor, preside at the meeting of the Senate. He shall, by virtue of his 
office, be a member and the Chairman of the Syndicate and the Faculty 
Councils for post-graduate studies and also the Chairman of any other 
authority or body of the University of which he may be a member. He 
shall also be entitled to be present at and to address any meeting of any 
other authority or body of the University of which he may not be a 
member, but shall not be entitled to vote thereat. 
(2) The Vice-Chancellor shall have the ower to convence meetings 
of the Senate, the Syndicate, the Faculty Counncils for post-graduate 
studies and of any other authority or body of the University. 
(3) It shall be the duty of the Vice-Chancellor to ensure that 
the provisions of this Act, and the Statutes, the Ordinances and the 
Regulations, are faithfully observed, and to take such action as may be 
necessary for this purpose. 
(4) The Vice-Chancellor shall have the power to exercise general 
control and supervision over all other officers of the University and over 
all Teachers and employees of the University and generally over all the 
affairs of the University and shall decide and dispose of all appeals in 
disciplinary matters not provided for in section 36. 
(5) The Vice-Chancellor shall exercise such other powers and 
discharge such other duties as may be delegated to him by any authority 
or body of the University or as may be presribed by Statutes, Ordinances 
of Regulations. 
298 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
XXXVIII of 1979.] 
(Chapter 11.—The University and its officers.—Section 10.) 
(6) The Vice-Chancellor may take on behalf of the University such 
action as he may deem expedient in any matter which, in his opinion, is 
either urgent or of an emergent nature and shall report the same for 
confirmation at the next meeting to the authority or body which, in the 
ordinary course, would have dealt with the matter: 
Provided that if the action taken by the Vice-Chancellor is not approved 
by the authority or body concerned, the matter shall immediately be referred 
to the Chancellor whose decision thereon shall be final. 
(7) The Vice-Chancellor may at any time delegate any of his powers 
to any other officer subordinate to him. 
10. (1) The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall be 
appointed by the Chancellor in consultation with the Minister and the 
Vice-Chancellor. The term of his office shall be for four years and he 
shall be eligible for re-appointment for a period not exceeding four years 
but shall not hold office beyond the age of 65 years. 
(2) The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall be a whole 
time officer of the University and shall be paid from the University Fund 
a salary of two thousand seven hundred and fifty rupees per month and 
such allowances as the Chancellor may decide. 
(3) The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs may resign his 
office by writing under his hand addressed to the Chancellor. 
(4) If— 
(a) the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs is, by reason 
of leave, illness or other cause, temporarily unable to exercise 
the powers and perform the duties of his office, or 
(b) a vacancy occurs in the office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor 
for Academic Affairs by reason of death, resignation or expiry 
of the term of his office, removal or otherwise, 
then,during the period of such temporary inability or pending the 
appointment of a Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, as the case 
may be, the Chancellor in consultation with the Minister and the 
Vice-Chancellor shall authorise a Teacher of the University or an officer 
of the University to exercise the powers and perforn the duties of the 
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs. 
(5) The vacancy in the office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for 
Academic Affairs occuring by reason of death, resignation or expiry of 
the term of his office, removal or otherwise shall be filled up by appoint-
ment of a Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs in accordance with 
the provisions of sub-section (1) within a period of six months from the 
date of occurrence of the vacancy. 
The Pro-
Vice-
Chancellor 
for 
Academic 
Affairs. 
299 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter 11.—The University and its officers.—Sections 11, 12.) 
Powers and 
duties of 
the Pro-Vice-
Chancellor 
for Academic 
Affairs. 
The Pro- Vice-
Chancellor 
for Business 
Affairs and 
Finance. 
11. (1) Subject to the supervision, direction and general control of 
the Vice-Chancellor, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall 
be the chief academic and administrative officer in matters concerning 
undergraduate studies and research and such other matters as may be 
delegated to him. 
(2) The Pro-Vice-Chancellor forAcademic Affairs shall exercise such 
other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed or 
delegated to him by or under the provisions of this Act. 
12. (1) The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and Finance 
shall be appointed by the Chancellor in consultation with the Minister 
and the Vice-Chancellor. The term of his office shall be for four years and 
he shall be eligible for re-appointment for a period not exceeding four 
years but shall not hold office beyond the age of 65 years. 
(2) The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and Finance shall 
be a whole time officer of the University and shall be paid from the 
University Fund a salary of two thousand seven hundred and fifty 
rupees per month and such allowances as the Chancellor may decide. 
(3) The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and Finance 
may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the 
Chancellor. 
(4) If— 
(a) the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and Finance 
is, by reason of leave, illness or other cause, temporarily 
unable to exercise the powers and perform the duties of 
his office, or 
(b) a vacancy occurs in the office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor 
for Business Affairs and Finance by reason of death, 
resignation or expiry of the term of his office, removal or 
otherwise, 
then, during the period of such temporary inability or pending the 
appointment of a Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and Finance, 
as the case may be. the Chancellor in consultation with the Minister and 
the Vice-Chancellor shall authorise a Teacher of the University or an 
officer of the University to exercise the powers and perform the duties of 
the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and Finance. 
(5) The vacancy in the office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business 
Affairs and Finance occuring by reason of death, resignation or expiry of 
the term of his office, removal or otherwise shall be filled up by appointment 
of a Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and Finance in accordance 
with the provisions of sub-section (1) within a period of six months from 
the date of occurrence of the vacancy. 
300 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
XXXVIII of 1979.] 
(Chapter 11.—The University and its officers.—Sections 13, 14.) 
13. (1) Subject to the supervision, direction and general control of 
the Vice-Chancellor and the Syndicate, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for 
Business Affairs and Finance shall be in charge of the administration of 
the funds, the finances and the properties and assets of the University 
and of all trusts and endowments; and he shall take special interest in 
activities that aim at raising funds for the purposes of the University and 
augmenting the resources of the University. 
(2) The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and Finance shall 
be in charge of the work of the Accounts Department of the University, 
including collection of funds, and shall, subject to the provisions of section 
9, he responsible for ensuring that all moneys are expended for the purpose 
for which they are sanctioned within the limits of budget allotments. 
(3) The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and Finance shall, 
in consultation with the relevant departments of the University, prepare 
the Annual Financial Estimates and the Annual Statement of Accounts. 
(4) All contracts and agreements relating to matters of which the Pro-
Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and Finance is in charge shall, on 
approval by the Syndicate, if not otherwise prescribed, be signed and 
executed by him on behalf of the University. 
(5) The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and Finance shall 
exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be 
prescribed, or delegated to him by or under this Act. 
14. (1) The Registrar shall be a whole time officer of the University 
and shall be appointed by the Chancellor in consultation with the Minister 
on the recommendation of a Committee consisting of two nominees of the 
Syndicate, a nominee of the Chancellor, a nominee of the Vice-Chancellor 
and a nominee of the State Government. 
(2) The Registrar may resign his office by writing under his hand 
addressed to the Chancellor. 
(3) If the Registrar is for any reason temporarily unable to exercise 
the powers or perform the duties of his office, the Vice-Chancellor may 
with the approval of the Chancellor appoint a Teacher of the University 
or an officer of the University, temporarily for a period not exceeding six 
months, to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Registrar. 
15. Subject to the supervision, direction and general control of the 
Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar shall act as the Secretary of the Senate as 
also of the Syndicate and shall exercise such powers and perform such 
duties as may be prescribed, or delegated to him by or under this Act. 
Powers and 
duties of the 
Pro-Vice-
Chancellor 
for Business 
Affairs and 
Finance. 
The 
Registrar. 
Powers and 
duties of the 
Registrar. 
301 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter II.—The University and its officers.—Section 16.—
Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University.—Sections 17, 18.) 
Supervisory 
powers of 
the Pro-Vice-
Chancellor 
for Academic 
Affairs, the 
Pro-Vice-
Chancellor 
for B usiness 
Affairs and 
Finance and 
the Registrar. 
Authorities. 
16. In their respective spheres of duties, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor 
for Academic Affairs, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and 
Finance and the Registrar shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, 
have the power of supervision and control over all officers and 
employees serving in departments under their charge and shall exercise 
such disciplinary power as may be conferred on them by or under 
this Act. 
CHAPTER III 
Authorities of the University. 
17. The following shall be the authorities of the University:— 
(1) the Senate; 
(2) the Syndicate; 
(3) the Faculty Councils for post-graduate studies; 
(4) the Councils for undergraduate studies; 
(5) the Boards of Studies; 
(6) the Finance Committee; 
(7) the Tripura Council; 
(8) such other authorities as may be established under the 
Statutes. 
The Senate. 	 18. (1) The Senate shall consist of the following:— 
(a) ex officio members 
(i) the Chancellor; 
(ii) the Vice-Chancellor; 
(iii) the immediately preceding Vice-Chancellor; 
(iv) the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs; 
(v) the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and 
Finance; 
(vi) the Director of Public Instruction, West Bengal; 
(vii) the Secretary, Finance Department, Government of 
West Bengal; 
(viii) the President, West Bengal Council of Higher 
Secondary Education; 
(ix) the President, West Bengal Board of Secondary 
Education; 
(x) the Deans of the Faculty Councils for post-graduate 
studies; 
(xi) the President, West Bengal Branch of the Indian 
Medical Association; 
(xii) the Director, Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta; 
(xiii) the President, Indian Association for the Cultivation 
of Science; 
302 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
XXXVIII of 1979.] 
(Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University.—Section 18.) 
(xiv) the President, Bangiya Sahitya Parishad; 
(xv) the Director, Bose Institute, Calcutta; 
(xvi) the President, Asiatic Society, Calcutta; 
(xvii) the Director, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics; 
(xviii) the President, Bangiya Bijnan Parishad; 
(xix) the President, Bangiya Sanskrita Siksha Parishad; 
(xx) the President, West Bengal Madrasah Education 
Board; 
(xxi) the Director, Indian Statistical Institute; 
(b) other members 
(xxii) fifteen Professors of University, not more than one 
from any department, elected by the Professors of the 
University; 
(xxiii) fifteen Teachers, other than Professors, of the post-
graduate department of the University of whom not 
more than six shall be the Readers, elected by such 
teachers; 
(xxiv) twenty-nine Teachers, other than Principals, of 
affiliated colleges including constituent and 
professional colleges, elected by the Teachers of such 
Colleges from amongst themselves of whom— 
(a) six shall be from the professional colleges of 
whom— 
(i) one shall be from a teachers' training 
college, 
(ii) one shall be from a law college, 
(iii) two shall be from an undergraduate college 
of medicine, 
(iv) one shall be from an ayurvedic college, and 
(v) one shall be from a homoeopathic college, 
(b) one shall be from a constituent college other 
than the Bengal Engineering College, Shibpur, 
Howrah, 
(c) one shall be from the Bengal Engineering College, 
Shibpur, Howrah, 
(d) twenty shall be from the affiliated collegesh, other 
than professional and constituent colleges and 
colleges in Tripura affiliated to the University, of 
whom at least two shall be women and one shall 
be from a Government College, and 
(e) one shall be from the colleges in Tripura affiliated 
to the University; 
303 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University—Section 18.) 
(xxv) eight Principals of affiliated colleges including 
constituent and professional colleges elected jointly 
by the Principals of such colleges from amongst 
themselves of whom— 
(a) one shall be the Principal of a professional 
college, 
(b) one shall be the Principal of a constituent 
college, and 
(c) six shall be the Principals of affiliated 
colleges of whom at least one shall be a woman; 
(xxvi) five members of the West Bengal Legislative 
Assembly elected from amongst themselves, if they 
are not already members of the Senate: 
(xxvii) five persons nominated by the Chancellor to secure 
the representation of the professions, banking, 
industry, scientific and technical societies and persons 
eminent in literature or art or music or culture; 
(xxviii) nine students, elected by the members of the Calcutta 
University Students' Union from amongst regular 
students, of whom one shall be the student of a 
professional college, one shall be a research scholar 
and one shall be a lady student; 
(xxix) six students from undergraduate colleges elected by 
the members of the Students' Unions of such colleges 
from amongst regular students; 
(xxx) three members elected by the members of the non- 
teaching staff of the University from amongst 
themselves; 
(xxxi) two members elected by the members of the non- 
teaching staff of affiliated colleges from amongst 
themselves; 
(xxxii) one member elected by the officers and the supervisory 
staff of the University from amongst themselves; 
(xxxiii) not less than five and not more than twenty-five 
persons elected by registered graduates from 
amongst themselves, the number of such persons to 
be elected being calculated on the basis of one person 
for every three hundred registered graduates; 
(xxxiv) nine persons to be nominated by the State Government 
of whom— 
(a) two shall be from the members of the registered 
trade unions in such area of the University as 
may be designated by Statutes, 
(b) two shall be from the members of the peasants' 
organisation, 
304 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
XXXVIII of 1979.] 
(Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University.—Section 19.) 
(c) two shall be from the members of the primary 
school teachers' association, and 
(d) three shall be from the members of the 
secondary school teachers' associations; 
(xxxv) one person to be elected by the Librarians of the 
University and the colleges affiliated to the 
University from amongst themselves. 
(2) All elections to the Senate shall be held in the manner prescribed 
by Statutes. 
19. (1) Subject to such conditions as may be provided by or under 
the provisions of this Act, the Senate shall exercise the following 
powers and perform the following duties:— 
(i) to establish University Colleges, University Depart-
ments, institutions, libraries, laboratories and museums 
for study and research; 
(ii) to confer, on the recommendation of the State Govern-
ment and the University Grants Commission, such special 
powers as may be prescribed by Statutes on any college 
or institution providing instruction for courses of study 
in engineering, technology, medicine, fine arts or music 
or conducting higher studies and research: 
Provided that the Senate may withdraw, with the 
concurrence of the State Government and the University 
Grants Commission, all or any of the special powers 
conferred on any such college or institution; 
(iii) to create and institute Professorships, Readerships, 
Lecturerships, and such posts including posts of officers 
as may be necessary for the establishment of the University 
Colleges, University Departments, institutions, libraries, 
laboratories and museums referred to in clause (i); 
(iv) to institute degrees, titles, diplomas, certificates and other 
academic distinctions; 
(v) to institute fellowships, travelling fellowships, 
scholarships, studentships, stipends, bursaries, 
exhibitions, medals and prizes to be awarded out of the 
University Fund; 
(vi) to confer degrees, titles, diplomas, certificates and other 
academic distinctions on persons who— 
(a) have pursued prescribed courses of studies or have 
been exempted therefrom in the manner prescribed, 
and have passed such examinations as may be 
prescribed, or 
(b) have carried on research in accordance with such 
conditions as may be prescribed; 
305 
Powers and 
duties of the 
Senate. 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University.—Section 19.) 
(vii) to withdraw or to cancel degrees, titles, diplomas, 
certificates or other academic distinctions under such 
conditions as may be prescribed by Statutes and after 
giving the person affected a reasonable opportunity 
to present his case; 
(viii) to confer honorary degrees or other academic dis-
tinctions; 
x) to consider the Annual Statement of Accounts and the 
Annual Financial Estimates approved by the Syndicate 
and to pass such resolutions relating thereto as may 
be considered necessary: 
Provided that for the purpose of passing a resolution 
modifying or rejecting any such Annual Financial 
Estimates it shall be necessary for a majority of the total 
number of members of the Senate existing at the time to 
vote in favour of the resolution; 
(x) to consider the Annual Report as prepared by the Syndicate 
and to pass such resolutions relating thereto as may be 
considered necessary; 
(xi) to consider and advise on, such other reports from the 
Syndicate or any other body as may be made to it; 
(xii) to consider, and advise on, proposals from the Syndicate 
for entering into agreement with the Government or with 
any person, body or authority for the taking over by the 
University of the management of any college or institution, 
including its assets and liabilities, or for any other purpose 
not repugnant to the provisions of this Act; 
(xiii) to consider, and advise on, proposals from the Syndicate 
for co-operation with other universities, institutions and 
educational authorities in matters that relate to or further 
the educational objectives of the University; 
(xiv) to consider and suggest measures for the improvement 
of the administration and finances of the University, and 
generally for the furtherance of its objectives; 
(xv) to make rules for the transaction of its own business; 
(xvi) to exercise all other powers and perform all other 
functions conferred and imposed on the Senate by or 
under this Act. 
(2) The Senate shall not exercise the powers and perform the duties 
referred to in clauses (i) and (iii) to (viii) of sub-section (1) except on the 
recommendation of the Syndicate but may send proposals in respect thereof 
to the Syndicate for its recommendation. 
306 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
XXXVIII of 1979.1 
(Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University—Sections 20, 21.) 
(3) The Senate shall have the power to review the action of the 
Syndicate, save where the Syndicate has acted in accordance with the 
powers conferred on it by or under this Act: 
Provided that if any question arises as to whether the Syndicate has 
acted in accordance with the powers conferred on it by or under this Act, 
the matter shall be decided by reference to the Chancellor whose decision 
shall be final. 
20. (1) The Senate shall meet at least thrice in a financial year, other 
than for convocation, on dates to be fixed by the Vice-Chancellor. One 
of such meetings shall be held before March and shall be called the 
Annual Meeting. The Senate may also meet at such other times as it may, 
from time to time, decide. 
(2) One-third of the total number of members of the Senate shall be 
a quorum for a meeting of the Senate: 
Provided that such quorum shall not be required at a convocation. 
(3) The Vice-Chancellor may, whenever he thinks fit, and shall, upon 
a requisition in writing signed by not less than fifty per cent. of 
members of the Senate, convene a meeting of the Senate. A meeting on 
such requisition shall be held within fifteen days of the receipt of the 
requisition by the Vice-Chancellor. 
21. (1) The Syndicate shall consist of the following:— 
(a) ex officio members 
(i) the Vice-Chancellor; 
(ii) the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs; 
(iii) the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business Affairs and 
Finance; 
(iv) the Director of Public Instruction, West Bengal; 
(v) the Deans of the Faculty Councils for post-graduate 
studies in Arts, Science, Law, Medicine and Dental 
Science, and Engineering and Technology; 
(vi) the President, West Bengal Council of Higher 
Secondary Education; 
(vii) the President, West Bengal Board of Secondary 
Education; 
(viii) the President, West Bengal Madrasah Education 
Board; 
(b) other members 
(ix) (a) three post-graduate Teachers, of whom one shall 
be a Professor, elected by the members of the 
Faculty Councils for post-graduate studies from 
amongst themselves, and 
(b) three other post-graduate Teachers, of whom at 
least one shall be a Professor, elected by the 
members of the Senate from amongst themselves; 
307 
Meetings of 
the Senate. 
The 
Syndicate. 
The Calcutta University Act, 1979. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter Ill—Authorities of the University.—Section 22.) 
Powers and 
duties of the 
Syndicate. 
(x) three persons, other than Teachers, students and non-
teaching employees, elected by 

Excerpt shown. Open the full act in Lexace.

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