Section 30 of the Central Universities Act, 2009 - Annual Report

Section 30 of the Central Universities Act, 2009 sets out the statutory process for preparing a University's annual report, placing it before the Court, sending it to the Visitor and submitting a copy to the Central Government for laying before both Houses of Parliament.

Updated: 15 September 2026

What does Section 30 provide?

The provision creates an annual reporting and accountability mechanism. The Executive Council directs preparation of the annual report. The report must include, among other matters, the steps taken by the University towards fulfilment of its objects. It is then considered by the Court, forwarded to the Visitor, and also submitted to the Central Government.

Text of Section 30 - Annual report

Section 30 explained

1. Preparation under the Executive Council

The annual report is not merely an administrative publication. Under sub-section (1), it is prepared under the direction of the Executive Council. The report must address the University's progress towards its statutory objects, in addition to other matters included in the report.

2. Submission to the Court

The report must be submitted to the Court by the date prescribed in the Statutes. The Court is required to consider the report at its annual meeting. For this purpose, the applicable Statutes of the University are relevant to the reporting timetable and procedure.

3. Submission to the Visitor

Under sub-section (2), after considering the report, the Court submits it to the Visitor, together with any comments the Court may have.

4. Laying before Parliament

Sub-section (3) separately requires a copy of the annual report to be submitted to the Central Government. The Central Government must, as soon as may be, cause the report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament. This gives the annual report a parliamentary accountability dimension in addition to the University's internal governance process.

Meaning of important terms

• Executive Council: Section 2 of the Act defines the Executive Council as the Executive Council of the University. It is one of the authorities involved in University governance and directs preparation of the annual report for Section 30.
• Court: Section 2 defines the Court as the Court of the University. Under Section 30, it considers the annual report at its annual meeting and submits the report to the Visitor with comments, if any.
• Visitor: The Visitor is the statutory authority referred to in the Act. Section 30(2) requires the Court to submit the annual report to the Visitor.
• Statutes: The Statutes are instruments made under the Act governing specified University matters. Section 30(1) makes the date for submission of the annual report to the Court dependent on the applicable Statutes.

Practical compliance sequence

1. The annual report is prepared under the direction of the Executive Council.
2. It includes the steps taken towards fulfilment of the University's objects and other relevant matters.
3. It is submitted to the Court within the time prescribed by the Statutes.
4. The Court considers it at its annual meeting.
5. The Court sends it to the Visitor with its comments, if any.
6. A copy is also sent to the Central Government.
7. The Central Government causes the report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament as soon as may be.

Current legal context

The Central Universities Act, 2009 is Act No. 25 of 2009 and is administered under the Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education. The Act has been amended over time to add or reorganise Central Universities, but the official current text should always be checked before relying on any provision. Section 30 continues to govern the annual-report process under the Act.

Related provisions

For the surrounding statutory framework, see Section 29 - Regulations, Section 31 - Annual accounts, and Section 32 - Returns and information.