The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981

GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL 
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT 
West Bengal Act XVIII of 1981 
THE VIDYASAGAR UNIVERSITY ACT, 1981. 
[Passed by the West Bengal Legislature.] 
[Assent of the Governor was first published in the Calcutta Gazette, 
Extraordinary, of the 24th June, 1981.] 
[24th June, 1981.] 
An Act to establish and incorporate a University at Midnapore in West 
Bengal after the name of Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar. 
WHEREAS it is expedient to establish and incorporate a University at 
Midnapore in the State of West Bengal after the name of Pandit Iswar 
Chandra Vidyasagar for 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, and for meeting the 
growing needs of society; 
It is hereby enacted in the Thirty-second 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 Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. Short title 
and 
(2) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government comenee-
may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint and different dates meet. 
may be appointed for different provisions of this Act. 
2. In this Act unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or Defnitio ❑s. 
context,— 
(1) "affiliated" in relation to a college or an institution means 
affiliated to the Vidyasagar University under this Act; 
(2) "appointed day" means the date referred to in sub-section 
(5) of section 57; 
(3) "college" means a college established, maintained or 
recognized by, or affiliated to, the University and includes a 
college referred to in sub-section (3) of section 5; 
95 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter 1.—Prelifitinary.—Section 2.) 
(4) "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 declared as such by the University: 
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; 
(5) "convocation" means a meeting of the Court for the purpose 
of conferring degrees, titles, diplomas, certificates or other 
academic distinctions; 
(6) "district" means the district of Midnapore or any district 
which may be created in future out of any part thereof; 
(7) "employee" in relation to the University means any person 
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; 
( I 0) "Governor" means the Governor of the State of West Bengal; 
(11) "hostel" or "hall" means a unit of residence for students 
recognized by the University; 
(12) "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 recognised as such by the 
University, and 
(b) in relation to an affiliated college, 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; 
(13) "Minister" means the Minister-in-charge of Higher 
Education appointed as such by the Governor; 
(14) "non-teaching staff' means,— 
(a) in relation to the University, the non-teaching staff, 
not holding any teaching post (including part-time 
teaching post), appointed or recognized as such by 
the University, and 
96 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
XVIII of 1981.] 
(Chapter 1.—Preliminary.—Section 2.) 
(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 an officer or a Librarian; 
(15) "prescribed" means prescribed by Statutes, Ordinances, 
Regulations or Rules made under this Act; 
(16) "Principal" means the head of a college or of an institution, 
by whatever name called; 
(17) "professional subject" means any of the following subjects, 
namely, Law, Medicine, Engineering, Teachers' Training, 
Technology, Agriculture, Journalism, Management Studies 
or such other subject as may be prescribed by Regulations; 
(18) "Statutes", "Ordinances", "Regulations" and "Rules" mean, 
respectively, the Statutes, Ordinances, Regulations and Rules 
of the University made under this Act; 
(19) "Students' Union", in relation to the University or an 
affiliated college, means Students' Union constituted in the 
manner prescribed; 
(20) "Teacher" means a Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant 
Professor, Reader, Principal, Lecturer, Demonstrator, 
Instructor 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; 
(21) "Teacher of the University" means a Professor, Reader, 
Lecturer or any other person appointed or recognised as such 
by the University, either whole-time or part-time for the 
purpose of imparting instruction or conducting research in 
the University; 
(22) "University" means the Vidyasagar University of Midnapore 
as constituted under this Act; 
(23) "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; 
(24) "University Professor", "University Reader" or "University 
Lecturer" means a Professor, Reader or Lecturer appointed 
or recognised as such by the University. 
97 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter 11.—The University and its officers.—Sections 3, 4.) 
CHAP IER II 
The University and its officers. 
The Uni-
versity. 
Powers of the 
University. 
3. (1) The first Chancellor and the first Vice-Chancellor of the 
University and the first members of the Court and the Executive Council, 
and all persons who may hereafter become the Chancellor or the Vice-
Chancellor of the University or the members of the Court or the Executive 
Council so long as they continue to hold such office or membership shall 
constitute a body corporate by the name of the Vidyasagar University. 
(2) The University shall have perpetual succession and a common 
seal and shall sue and be sued in the name of the Vidyasagar University. 
4. The University shall have the following powers, namely:— 
(1) to encourage and provide for instruction and training in 
such branches of learning as it may think fit, to make 
provision for research and to promote the advancement 
and dissemination of knowledge; 
(2) to establish and develop specialised Research Centres, inter-
disciplinary centres or similar institutions for studies and 
to undertake research in tribal problems, rural 
development and marine biology; 
(3) to organise specialised diploma, degree or post-graduate 
courses, as the case may be, in such subjects as Tribal 
languages, habitat and customs, rural administration, 
coastal salinity, forestry, floriculture, pesticides, wild life 
management, pisciculture, marine fishery and also in 
subjects like rural and urban planning, manpower 
planning, regional resources planning and development, 
ecology and environmental studies, agricultural and rural 
industries and marine resource development; 
(4) to organise short courses at the post-Master of Arts or post-
Master of Science stage for those who are otherwise suitable 
for teaching the non-traditional courses mentioned in 
clause (3); 
(5) to make such academic studies as may contribute to the 
improvement of economic conditions and welfare of the 
people in general and the tribal people in particular; 
(6) to establish, maintain or manage colleges, libraries, 
laboratories, museums and such other institutions as it may 
consider fit; 
98 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
XVIII of 1981.] 
(Chapter 11.—The University and its officers.—Section 4.) 
(7) to recognise any college or institution as a constituent 
college or a professional college and to withdraw such 
recognition in respect of any such college or institution; 
(8) to develop colleges imparting Honours courses under the 
direct supervision of the University with the ultimate object 
of developing such colleges as exclusive Honours colleges, 
i.e., colleges admitting Honours students only and 
providing only pass teaching for the subsidiary subjects of 
Honours students: 
Provided that the provisions of this clause shall not 
debar other colleges from introducing both Honours and 
Pass courses; 
(9) to affiliate to itself any college, institution or centre and to 
withdraw affiliation of such college, institution or centre; 
(10) to institute degrees, titles, diplomas, certificates and other 
academic distinctions; 
(11) to hold examinations and to confer degrees, titles, 
diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions on 
persons who— 
(a) shall, unless exempted therefrom in such manner as 
may be prescribed by Statutes, have pursued in an 
affiliated or constituent college or in the University 
or in an institution or centre recognized by the 
University such courses of study and shall have passed 
such examination of the University as may be 
prescribed, or 
(b) shall have carried on research under such conditions 
as may be prescribed; 
(12) to confer honorary degrees or other academic distinctions 
under such conditions as may be prescribed; 
(13) to co-operate with other Universities and educational 
authorities in such manner and for such purposes as the 
University may determine; 
(14) to institute and to make appointment to Professorship, 
Readership, Lectureship and other teaching posts required 
by the University; 
(15) to institute and award fellowships, scholarships, 
exhibitions, prizes, medals and other honours and 
distinctions; 
99 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter IL—The University and its officers.—Section 4.) 
(16) to prescribe, demand and receive fees, fines and other 
charges; 
(17) to establish, maintain and manage hostels, halls and other 
places of residence for the students of the University and 
Teachers, officers and other employees and to recognize 
such hostels, halls and other places of residence and to 
withdraw recognition therefrom; 
(18) to provide for the supervision and control of residence and 
discipline of students of the University and to make 
arrangements for promotion of their health and general 
welfare; 
(19) to conduct, co-ordinate, regulate and control the post-
graduate research work and teaching in the University, 
the constituent and affiliated colleges and the institutions 
recognized by the University; 
(20) to prescribe the powers and duties of officers of the 
University; 
(21) to provide for the inspection, or investigation into the 
affairs, of a college or an institution recognized by the 
University; 
(22) to create and to make appointment to such administrative, 
clerical and other posts under the University as it may 
deem fit; 
(23) to accept grants from the Central or any State Government 
or the University Grants Commission and with the approval 
of State Government from other sources; 
(24) to raise loans or to accept loans from the Central or the 
State Government or the University Grants Commission 
and with the approval of State Government from other 
sources; 
(25) 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 of— 
(i) Librarians, and 
(ii) non-teaching staff; 
(26) to make rules for Provident Fund for colleges; 
(27) to prescribe for colleges rules for Teachers' Council; 
100 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
XVIII of 1981.] 
(Chapter 11.—The University and its officers.—Section 5.) 
(28) to take over for a period of twelve months the management 
of any affiliated, constituent or professional college, 
institution or centre, other than a Government college or 
institution, in order to ensure that proper standard of 
teaching, training or instruction is maintained therein: 
Provided that the University may, if it considers 
necessary so to do, extend such period so, however, that 
the aggregate period shall not exceed eighteen months; 
(29) to dissolve the Governing Body of any affiliated, constituent 
or professional college or institution, other than a 
Government College, and, pending reconstitution of 
Governing Body thereof in such manner as may be 
prescribed, to appoint an Administrator or an ad hoc 
Governor Body: 
Provided that re-constitution of the Governing Body 
shall be made within a period of twleve months from the 
date of dissolution: 
Provided further that the University may, if it considers 
necessary so to do, extend such period so that the aggregate 
period shall not exceed eighteen months; 
(30) to enter into contracts and agreements with the approval 
of the State Government: 
(31) to acquire, hold and dispose of properties, moveable and 
immovable, for furthering any of the objects of the 
University; 
(32) to make grants for the maintenance of the National Cadet 
Corps and the National Social Service; 
(33) 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 otherwise provided in this Act, the powers of the 
University conferred by or under this Act shall not extend beyond the 
limit of any district referred to in clause (6) of section 2. 
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), any 
college or institution situated beyond the limit of any district referred to 
in clause (6) of section 2 may, with the sanction of the State Government, 
apply to the University for affiliation and the University may, subject to 
such conditions and restrictions as it may with the approval of the State 
Government think fit to impose, admit the same to all the privileges of 
the University. 
Jurisdiction 
of the 
University. 
101 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
[West Ben. Act 
Delegation 
of powers to 
subordinate 
authorities. 
Officers 
of the 
University. 
The 
Chancellor. 
(Chapter 11—The University and its officers.—Sections 6-8.) 
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the 
time being in force, with effect from such date as the State Government 
may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf 
(hereinafter in this section referred to as the said date)— 
(a) such colleges existing on the said date within the limits of 
the district•referred to in clause (6) of section 2 as may be 
specified in the notification shall— 
(i) be deemed to be affiliated to the University and continue 
to be so affiliated until the University otherwise directs; 
and 
(ii) cease to be affiliated to the University of Calcutta or 
any other University to which they may have been 
affiliated before the said date; 
(h) any Teacher, Principal or member of the Governing Body of 
any such college holding, by virtue of his being such Teacher, 
Principal or member, any office in or under the University of 
Calcutta or any of the authorities of the said University shall 
cease to hold such office and the vacancy so caused shall be 
deemed to be a casual vacancy for the purposes of the Calcutta 
University Act, 1979; 
(c) no college or institution situated within the local limits of 
the jurisdiction of the University, but not admitted to its 
privileges, shall be associated with or be admitted to the 
privileges of any other university except with the previous 
approval of the State Government. 
6. The University may delegate such of its powers as it may deem 
expedient to any of the authorities constituted under section 16 or to any 
of its officers, and may, at any time, withdraw at its discretion any power 
so delegated. 
7. The following shall be the officers of the University:— 
(i) the Vice-Chancellor, 
(ii) the Registrar, 
(iii) the Finance Officer, and 
(iv) such other persons in the service of the University as the 
University may declare to be officers of the University. 
8. (1) The Governor shall, by virtue of his office, be the Chancellor 
of the University. He shall be the Head of the University and the President 
of the Court and shall, when present, preside at the meetings of the 
Court. 
West Ben. 
Act 
XXXVIII 
of 1979. 
102 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
XVIII of 1981.] 
(Chapter 11.—The University and its officers.—Section 9.) 
(2) The Chancellor shall exercise such powers as may be conferred 
on him by or under the provisions of this Act. 
(3) 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. 
(4) Every proposal to confer any honorary degree shall be subject to 
confirmation by the Chancellor..  
9. (1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Chancellor 
on the unanimous recommendation of the Court. If the Court fails to 
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 Court 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 term 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 another term of four years or till he attains the age of 65 years, 
whichever is earlier. 
(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 six months. 
(3) The Vice-Chancellor shall be a whole-time officer of the 
University and shall be paid from the University Fund such salary and 
allowances as the Chancellor may decide in consultation with the State 
Government. 
(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 any 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 or 
otherwise, 
then, during the period of such temporary inability or pending the 
appointment of a Vice-Chancellor, as the case may be, the Chancellor 
may, in consultation with the Minister, appoint any person to exercise 
the powers and perform the duties of the Vice-Chancellor. 
The Vice-
Chancellor. 
103 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
[West Ben. Act 
Powers 
and duties 
of the Vice-
Chancellor. 
(Chapter 11.—The University and its officers.—Section 10.) 
(6) The vacancy in the office of the Vice-Chancellor occurring by 
reason of death, resignation or expiry of the term of his office 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. 
10. (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 Court. He shall, by virtue of his 
office, be a member and the Chairman of the Executive Council 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 power to convene meetings 
of the Court, the Executive Council, the Faculty Councils for post-graduate 
studies, the Council for undergraduate 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. 
(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 prescribed by Statutes, Ordinances 
or Regulations. 
(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 of 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, or if there is no such 
authority or body constituted under this Act, the matter shall immediately 
be referred to the Chancellor whose decision thereon shall be final. 
104 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981: 
XVIII of 1981.] 
(Chapter 11.—The University and its officers.—Sections 11-13.) 
(7) The Vice-Chancellor may, with the approval of the Executive 
Council, at any time delegate any of his powers other than the powers 
referred to in sub-section (6) to any other officer subordinate to him. 
11. (I) The Registrar shall be a whole-time officer of the University 
and shall be appointed by the Executive Council on the recommendation 
of a Committee consisting of the Vice-Chancellor as Chairman, two 
nominees of the Executive Council, a nominee of the Chancellor and a 
nominee of the State Government. He shall be appointed for such period 
and on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. 
(2) The Registrar may resign his office by writing under his hand 
addressed to the Vice-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 Executive Council, appoint a Teacher of the 
University or an officer of the University temporarily for a total period 
not exceeding six months to exercise the powers and perform the duties 
of the Registrar. 
The 
Registrar. 
12. Subject to the supervision, direction and general control of the Powers 
and duties Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar shall act as the Secretary of the Court as of the 
also of the Executive Council and shall exercise such powers and perform Registrar. 
such duties as may be prescribed, or delegated to him by or under the 
provisions of this Act and the Statutes, the Ordinances or the Regulations, 
as the case may be. 
13. (1) The Finance Officer shall be a whole-time officer of the The Finance 
University and shall be appointed by the Executive Council on the Officer.  
recommendation of a Committee consisting of the Vice-Chancellor as 
Chairman, two nominees of the Executive Council, a nominee of the 
Chancellor and a nominee of the State Government. He shall be appointed 
for such period and on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. 
(2) The Finance 'Officer may resign his office by writing under his 
hand addressed to the Vice-Chancellor. 
(3) If the Finance Officer is for any reason temporarily unable to 
exercise the powers or perform the duties of his office, the Vice-Chancellor 
may, with the aproval of the Executive Council, appoint a person 
temporarily for a total period not exceeding six months to exercise the 
powers and perform the duties of the Finance Officer. 
105 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter 11.—The University and its officers.—Sections 14, 15.—
Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University.—Sections 16, 17.) 
Powers 
and duties 
of the 
Finance 
Officer. 
Supervisory 
powers of the 
Registrar and 
the Finance 
Officer. 
Authorities. 
The Court. 
14. (1) Subject to the supervision, direction and general control of 
the Vice-Chancellor, the Finance Officer 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 resources of the University. 
(2) The Finance Officer 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 and the Statutes, the Ordinances or the 
Regulations, as the case may be. 
15. In their respective spheres of duties, the Registrar and the Finance 
Officer 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, or by Statutes or 
Ordinances. 
CHAPTER III 
Authorities of the University. 
16. The following shall be the authorities of the University:— 
(1) the Court; 
(2) the Executive Council; 
(3) the Faculty Councils for post-graduate studies; 
(4) the Councils for undergraduate studies; 
(5) the Boards of Studies; 
(6) the Finance Committee; 
(7) such other authorities as may be established under the 
Statutes. 
17. (1) The Court shall consist of the following members:—
(a) ex officio members 
(i) the Chancellor; 
(ii) the Vice-Chancellor; 
(iii) the Deans of the Faculty Councils for post-graduate 
studies; 
(iv) the Heads of the post-graduate Departments; 
(v) the Secretary, Education Department, Government 
of West Bengal; 
106 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
XVIII of 1981.] 
(Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University.—Section 17.) 
(vi) the Secretary, Finance Department, Government of 
West Bengal or his nominee not below the rank of 
Deputy Secretary to the Government of West Bengal; 
(vii) the President, West Bengal Council of Higher 
Secondary Education; 
(viii) the President, West Bengal Board of Secondary 
Education; 
(ix) the Director, Indian Institute of Technology, 
Kharagpur; 
(x) the Principals of constituent colleges; 
(b) elected members 
(xi) not more than three Professors of the University (other 
than Heads of Departments) belonging to Depart-
ments under separate Faculty Councils for post-
graduate studies, elected jointly by the Professors of 
the University (other than Heads of Departments); 
(xii) not more than six Teachers of the University other 
than Professors elected by such Teachers from 
amongst themselves of whom at least one shall belong 
to any Department under each of the Faculty Councils 
for post-graduate studies; 
(xiii) six Teachers other than Principals of whom at least 
one shall be a woman elected by the Teachers of 
affiliated colleges frOm amongst themselves; 
(xiv) three Principals of affiliated colleges other than 
constituent colleges elected by the Principals of such 
affiliated colleges; 
(xv) three members of the West Bengal Legislative 
Assembly, of whom at least two shall be from the 
territorial jurisdiction of the University, elected by 
the members of the West Bengal Legislative 
Assembly; 
(xvi) three regular post-graduate students of the University, 
of whom one shall be a lady student, elected by an 
electoral college of such students constituted in the 
manner prescribed. 
Explanation I.—"Regular post-graduate student" 
shall mean a student who has been prosecuting his 
studies in a post-graduate Department of the 
University under any Faculty Council for post-
graduate studies and who is not in default of payment 
of the prescribed tuition fees and other dues of the 
University till such date as may be notified by the 
University in this behalf. 
107 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter III —Authorities of the University.—Section 17.) 
Explanation 11.—Notwithstanding anything 
contained elsewhere in this Act, a member elected 
under this clause shall hold office for a period of two 
years from the date of his election or till he ceases to 
be a regular post-graduate student of the University, 
whichever is earlier; 
(xvii) two regular students prosecuting their studies in 
undergraduate or post-graduate degree classes of 
affiliated colleges elected by an electoral college of 
such students constituted in the manner prescribed. 
Explanation 1.—"Regular student" shall mean a 
student who has been prosecuting his studies in any 
stream in an undergraduate or post-graduate degree 
class of an affiliated college and who is not in default 
of payment of prescribed tuition fees and other dues 
of such college till such date as may be notified by 
the State Government in this behalf. 
Explanation II.—Notwithstanding anything 
contained elsewhere in this Act, a member elected 
under this clause shall hold office for a period of 
three years from the date of his election or till he 
ceases to be a regular student, whichever is earlier; 
(xviii) one Research Scholar or Research Fellow of the 
University elected by such Research Scholar and 
Research Fellows in the manner prescribed. 
Explanation I.—"Research Scholar" or "Research 
Fellow" shall mean a wholetime Research Scholar 
or Research Fellow of the University who receives a 
stipend from the University. 
Explanation II.—Notwithstanding anything 
contained elsewhere in this Act, a Research Scholar 
or Research Fellow elected under this clause shall 
hold office for a period of two years from the date of 
his election or till he ceases to be a Research Scholar 
or Research Fellow of the University; 
(xix) one member elected by the Librarians of the 
University and of the colleges affiliated to the 
University from amongst themselves; 
(xx) three members elected by the members of the non-
teaching staff of the University from amongst 
themselves; 
(xxi) two members elected by the members of the non-
teaching staff of colleges affiliated to the University 
from amongst themselves; 
108 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
XVIII of 1981.] 
(Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University.—Section 18.) 
(xxii) one member elected by the officers of the University 
from amongst themselves; 
(c) nominated members 
(xxiii) four persons to be nominated by the State Government 
of whom,— 
(a) one shall be from the members of the registered 
trade unions within the territorial jurisdiction 
of the University, 
(b) one shall be from the members of the peasants' 
association within the territorial jurisdiction of 
the University, 
(c) one shall be a primary school teacher within 
the territorial jurisdiction of the University, 
(d) one shall be a secondary school teacher within 
the territorial jurisdiction of the University; 
(xxiv) three persons having special interest in the University, 
of whom two shall be persons representing the 
professions of banking, industry, agriculture, and 
scientific and technical societies and one shall be a 
person having interest in the welfare of the scheduled 
castes and scheduled tribes community, nominated 
by the Chancellor. 
(2) All elections to the Court shall be held in the manner prescribed 
by Statutes. 
18. (1) Subject to such conditions as may be provided by or under 
the provisions of this Act, the Court shall exercise the following powers 
and perform the following functions:— 
(i) to establish University Departments, institutions, centres, 
libraries, laboratories and museums for study and research; 
(ii) to create and institute, with the approval of the State 
Government, Professorships, Readerships, Lectureships 
and such posts including post of officers as may be 
necessary for the establishment of the University 
Departments, institutions centres, libraries, laboratories 
and museums referred to in clause (i); 
(iii) to institute degrees, titles, diplomas, certificates and other 
academic distinctions; 
(iv) to institute fellowships, travelling fellowships, 
scholarships, studentships, stipends, bursaries, 
exhibitions, medals and prizes to be awarded out of the 
University Fund; 
Powers and 
functions of 
the Court. 
109 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter 111—Authorities of the University.—Section 18.) 
(v) 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 a's may be 
prescribed, or 
(b) have carried on research in accordance with such 
conditions as may be prescribed; 
(vi) 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; 
(vii) to confer honorary degrees or other academic distinctions; 
(viii) to consider the Annual Statement of Accounts and the 
Annual Financial Estimates approved by the Executive 
Council 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 Court existing at the time to 
vote'in favour of the resolution; 
(ix) to consider the Annual Report as prepared by the 
Executive Council and to pass such resolutions relating 
thereto as may be considered necessary; 
(x) to consider, and advise on, such other reports from the 
Executive Council or any other body as may be made 
to it; 
(xi) to consider, and advise on, proposals from the Executive 
Council for entering into an agreement with the 
Government or, with the approval of the State 
Government, with any person, body or authority for the 
taking over by the University of the management of any 
college, institution or centre, including its assets and 
liabilities, or for any other purpose not repugnant to the 
provisions of this Act; 
(xii) to consider, and advise on, proposals from the Executive 
Council for co-operation with other universities, 
institutions and educational authorities in matters that 
relate to or further the educational objectives of the 
University; 
110 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
XVIII of 1981.] 
(Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University.—Sections 19, 20.) 
(xiii) to consider and suggest measures for the improvement 
of the administration and finances of the University and 
generally for the furtherance of its objectives; 
(xi v) to make rules for the transaction of its own business; 
(xv) to exercise all other powers and perform all other duties 
conferred and imposed on the Court by or under this Act. 
(2) The Court shall not exercise the powers referred to in clauses (i) 
to (vii) of sub-section (1) except on the recommendation of the Executive 
Council, but may send proposals in respect thereof to the Executive 
Council for its recommendation. 
(3) The Court shall have the powers to review the action of the 
Executive Council, save where the Executive Council 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 Executive 
Council has acted in accordance with powers conferred on it by or under 
this Act, the question shall be decided by reference to the Chancellor 
whose decision shall be final. 
19. (1) The Court 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 Court 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 Court plus one 
shall be a quorum for a meeting of the Court: 
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 one-third of the total 
number of members of the Court, convene a meeting of the Court. 
A meeting on such requisition shall be held within fifteen days of the 
receipt of the requisition by the Vice-Chancellor. 
20. (1) The Executive Council shall consist of the following The 
members:— 	 Executive 
Council. 
(a) ex officio members 
(i) the Vice-Chancellor; 
(ii) the Deans of the Faculty Councils for post-graduate 
studies; 
(iii) the Secreatry, Education Department, Government 
of West Bengal; 
(iv) the Secretary, Finance Department, Government of 
West Bengal or his nominee not below the rank of 
Deputy Secretary to the Government of West Bengal; 
Meeting of 
the Court. 
1 1 1 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University—Section 20.) 
(v) the President, West Bengal Council of Higher 
Secondary Education; 
(vi) the Director, Indian Institute of Technology, 
Kharagpur. 
(b) elected members 
(vii) one Professor of the University elected by such 
Professors; 
(viii) two Readers or Lecturers of the University elected 
by such Readers and Lecturers of the University as 
are members of the Faculty Councils for post-
graduate studies from amongst themselves; 
(ix) one Professor of the University elected by such 
Professors as are members of the Court from amongst 
themselves; 
(x) two Readers or Lecturers of the University elected 
by such Readers and Lecturers of the University as 
are members of the Court from amongst themselves; 
(xi) one Teacher of undergraduate colleges elected by 
such Teachers of undergraduate colleges as are 
members of the Court from amongst themselves; 
(xii) one Principal elected by the members of the Council 
for Undergraduate Studies in Arts, Science and 
Commerce from amongst such Principals of colleges 
as are members of the Council; 
(xiii) one member of the non-teaching staff of the 
University elected by such members of the non-
teaching staff of the University as are members of 
the Court from amongst themselves; 
(xiv) one student elected by such students as are members 
of the Court from amongst themselves; 
(xv) one member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly 
elected by such members of the West Bengal 
Legislative Assembly as are members of the Court 
from amongst themselves; 
(xvi) the member elected to the Court under clause (xxii) 
of sub-section (1) of section 17; 
(xvii) six Teachers of affiliated colleges elected jointly by 
the Teacher-members of the Councils for 
undergraduate studies from amongst themselves; 
(c) nominated members 
(xviii) two persons nominated by the Chancellor; 
(xix) one Principal of a constituent college nominated by 
the Chancellor in order of seniority by rotation. 
112 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
XVIII of 1981.] 
(Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University—Section 21.) 
(2) All elections to the Executive Council shall be held in the 
manner prescribed by Statutes. 
(3) One-third of the total number of members of the Executive 
Council shall be a quorum for a meeting of the Executive Council. 
21. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Executive Council 
shall exercise the following powers and perform the following 
functions:— 
(i) to initiate proposals for the making of Statutes and 
Ordinances including proposals for amendment or repeal 
thereof, in the manner hereinafter provided; 
(ii) to recommend to the Court, after consulting the respective 
Faculty Councils for post-graduate studies, the 
establishment of University Departments, institutions, 
centres, libraries, laboratories and museums for study and 
research; 
(iii) to maintain University Departments, University 
Institutions, University Libraries, University Laboratories 
and University Museums; 
(iv) to establish, maintain and manage hostels and halls; 
(v) to direct the inspection of University Libraries, University 
Laboratories, University Museums, hostels and halls; 
(vi) to recommend to the Court, after consulting the respective 
Faculty Councils for post-graduate studies, the institution 
of fellowships, travelling fellowships, scholarships, 
studentships, stipends, bursaries, exhibitions, medals and 
prizes, the expenses of which shall be met from the 
University Fund, and to award the same after institution 
thereof by the University; 
(vii) to recommend to the Court, after consulting the respective 
Faculty Councils for post-graduate studies, the creation 
and institution of Professorships, Readerships, 
Lectureships and such posts as may be necessary for the 
establishment of the University Departments, institutions, 
colleges, libraries, laboratories and museums referred to 
in clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 18; 
(viii) to create, with the approval of the State Government, posts 
of officers, Teachers and other employees of the University 
or to recommend to the Court for creation of posts of 
officers and Teachers of the University; 
(ix) to appoint Teachers, officers and employees of the 
University and to fix their emoluments and define their 
duties and other terms and conditions of service in 
accordance with the Statutes and the Ordinances and to 
Powers and 
functions 
of the 
Executive 
Council. 
113 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
[West Ben. Act 
(Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University—Section 21.) 
suspend, discharge or otherwise punish in accordance with 
the Statutes and the Ordinances such Teachers, officers 
and employees; 
(x) to pass appropriate orders on the basis of the 
recommendation of the respective Council for 
undergraduate studies regarding affiliation of a college 
or an institution or a centre in one or more subjects or 
withdrawal of affiliation or recognition of a college or an 
institution or a centre or temporary take over of the 
management of an affiliated or a recognised college or 
institution or a centre; 
(xi) to make draft of Statutes, on the recommendation of the 
respective Council for undergraduate studies, for colleges, 
other than Government Colleges, prescribing the 
constitution, powers and functions of their Governing 
Bodies; 
(xii) to determine, with the approval of the State Government, 
the terms and conditions of service of Librarians and non-
teaching staff; 
(xiii) to make rules for Teachers' Council for colleges and, with 
the approval of the State Government, rules for provident 
fund for colleges; 
(xiv) to prescribe and collect fees or charges for the registration 
of students and their admission to courses of studies 
organised by the University, for holding examinations, 
for the grant of degrees, diplomas and certificates, and 
for other like purposes; 
(xv) to recommend to the Court, after consulting the respective 
Faculty Councils for post-graduate studies, the institution 
of degrees, titles, diplomas, certificate and other academic 
distinctions; 
(xvi) to recommend to the Court, on the advice of the 
appropriate body, the conferment of degrees, titles, 
diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions on 
persons who have pursued prescribed courses of studies 
or have been exempted therefrom in the prescribed 
manner, and have passed such examinations, or have 
carried on research under such conditions, as may be 
prescribed; 
(xvii) to recommend to the Court the conferment of honorary 
degrees and other academic distinctions; 
(xviii) to approve the constitution or reconstitution of the 
respective department of teaching in the University on 
the recommendation of the respective Faculty Council for 
post-graduate studies; 
114 
The Vidyasagar University Act, 1981. 
XVIII of 1981.1 
(Chapter 111.—Authorities of the University—Section 21.) 
(xix) to make regulations regarding the courses of studies and 
the division of subjects after obtaining and considering 
the recommendation of the

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