Section 19 of the Central Universities Act, 2009: Authorities of University

Section 19 of the Central Universities Act, 2009 identifies the statutory authorities through which a Central University carries out its institutional, executive, academic and financial governance.

What does Section 19 provide?

Section 19 is titled "Authorities of University". It specifies five named authorities and also permits additional authorities to be declared by the Statutes of the University.

Section 19 - Authorities of University

The following shall be the authorities of the University, namely:

  1. the Court;
  2. the Executive Council;
  3. the Academic Council;
  4. the Board of Studies;
  5. the Finance Committee; and
  6. such other authorities as may be declared by the Statutes to be the authorities of the University.

Meaning and scope of Section 19

The provision creates the basic governance framework for Universities governed by the Central Universities Act, 2009. The authorities named in Section 19 are not merely descriptive bodies: their constitution, powers and functions are dealt with by the Act and the applicable Statutes.

1. The Court

The Court is an authority of the University under Section 19(1). Section 20 deals with its constitution, term of office, powers and functions, subject to the Act and the Statutes.

2. Executive Council

The Executive Council is listed under Section 19(2). Under Section 21, it is the principal executive body of the University. Its constitution, membership terms, powers and functions are prescribed by the Statutes.

3. Academic Council

The Academic Council is listed under Section 19(3). Section 22 describes it as the principal academic body of the University and assigns it general supervision and coordination of academic policies, subject to the Act, Statutes and Ordinances.

4. Board of Studies

The Board of Studies is included under Section 19(4). Section 23 provides that the constitution, powers and functions of the Boards of Studies shall be prescribed by the Statutes.

5. Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is an authority under Section 19(5). Section 24 provides that its constitution, powers and functions shall be prescribed by the Statutes.

6. Other authorities declared by the Statutes

Section 19(6) allows the University's Statutes to declare additional bodies as authorities of the University. Section 25 further provides that the constitution, powers and functions of such additional authorities shall be prescribed by the Statutes.

Relationship with the University Statutes

Section 19 should be read with Sections 20 to 25 and the applicable Statutes. Section 26 also authorises the Statutes, subject to the Act, to provide for matters including the constitution, powers and functions of University authorities and other bodies.

Legal note: The exact composition, membership, tenure and detailed functions of an authority may depend on the Central Universities Act, 2009 and the Statutes applicable to the particular Central University. The current official text should therefore be checked for legal, administrative or litigation purposes.

Official text

For the authoritative Central Government text of the Act, refer to India Code:

Central Universities Act, 2009 - India Code PDF

Page reviewed and updated: 15 September 2026.