Central Universities Act, 2009 > Section 22

Section 22 of the Central Universities Act, 2009 - Academic Council

Section 22 of the Central Universities Act, 2009 identifies the Academic Council as the principal academic body of a University governed by the Act. It places general supervision and co-ordination of academic policy with the Academic Council, subject to the Act, the applicable Statutes and the Ordinances.

What is the Academic Council?

For the purposes of the Central Universities Act, 2009, Section 2(a) defines the term "Academic Council" as the Academic Council of the University. Section 19 separately lists the Academic Council among the statutory authorities of a University. Section 22 then states its central academic role and provides that its constitution, membership tenure, powers and functions are to be prescribed by the Statutes.

Text of Section 22 - Academic Council

22. Academic Council. - (1) The Academic Council shall be the principal academic body of the University and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances, co-ordinate and exercise general supervision over the academic policies of the University.

(2) The constitution of the Academic Council, the term of office of its members and its powers and functions shall be prescribed by the Statutes:

Provided that such number of members as may be prescribed by the Statutes shall be from among the elected members of the Court.

Meaning and scope of Section 22

  • Principal academic body: The Academic Council is the University's primary statutory body for academic matters.
  • Academic supervision: It co-ordinates and exercises general supervision over the academic policies of the University.
  • Subject to governing law: Its authority operates within the Central Universities Act, the University's Statutes and its Ordinances.
  • Composition and tenure: The detailed constitution of the Council and the term of office of its members are prescribed by the Statutes applicable to the University.
  • Powers and functions: Detailed powers and functions are likewise prescribed by the Statutes, so the applicable University Statutes should be checked for institution-specific rules.
  • Representation from the Court: The proviso requires the number prescribed by the Statutes to be drawn from elected members of the Court.

Relationship with the Statutes and Ordinances

Section 22 does not itself provide an exhaustive list of the Academic Council's operational powers. The Act uses the Statutes to prescribe the Council's constitution, tenure, powers and functions. Section 26 authorises Statutes to deal with the constitution, powers and functions of University authorities and bodies, while Section 28 permits Ordinances to regulate specified academic and administrative matters, subject to the Act and the Statutes.

Official source

The current statutory text should be verified from the official India Code copy of the Central Universities Act, 2009 before relying on it for litigation, university administration or formal legal advice.

Central Universities Act, 2009 - official India Code PDF

Legal note: This page provides general legal information. University-specific Statutes, Ordinances, Regulations and subsequent amendments or notifications should also be checked where relevant.