(1) This Act may be called the Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityAct, 1966.

(2) It shall come into force on such date1as the Central Government may, by notification in theOfficial Gazette, appoint.

1. 22nd April 1969, vide Notification No. S.O.1525, dated 21st April, 1969, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3(ii).

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--

(a) "College" means a college maintained by the University;

(b) "Hall" means a unit of residence, by whatever name called, for students of the Universityprovided, maintained or recognised by it;

(c) "recognised institution" means an institution of higher learning maintained or recognised by,or associated with, the University;

(d) "prescribed" means prescribed by Statutes, Ordinances or Regulations;

(e) "Statutes", "Ordinances" and "Regulations" mean, respectively, the Statutes, Ordinances andRegulations of the University made under this Act;

(f) "University" means the Jawaharlal Nehru University.

(1) There shall be constituted in the Union territory of Delhi a University by thename of "Jawaharlal Nehru University".

(2) The first Chancellor and the first Vice-Chancellor of the University and the first members of theCourt, the Executive Council and the Academic Council and all persons who may hereafter become suchofficers or members so long as they continue to hold such office or membership are hereby constituted abody corporate by the name of "Jawaharlal Nehru University".

(3) The University shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, and shall sue and be sued bythe said name.

The objects of the University shall be to disseminate and advance knowledge, wisdomand understanding by teaching and research and by the example and influence of its corporate life and inparticular the objects set out in the First Schedule.

The University shall have the following powers, namely:--

(1) to provide for instruction including the method of correspondence courses in such branches oflearning as the University may from time to time determine, and to make provision for research andfor the advancement and dissemination of knowledge;

(2) to establish within the Union territory of Delhi or outside that territory such Special Centresand Specialised Laboratories and such other units for research and instruction as are necessary for thefurtherance of its objects;

(3) to organise and to undertake extra-mural teaching and extension services;

(4) to hold examinations and grant diplomas or certificates to, and confer degrees and otheracademic distinctions on, persons and to withdraw any such diplomas, certificates, degrees or otheracademic distinctions for good and sufficient cause;

(5) to confer honorary degrees or other academic distinctions in the manner laid down in theStatutes;

(6) to create such teaching, administrative and other posts as the University may deem necessary,from time to time, and to make appointments thereto;

(7) to appoint or recognise persons as Professors, Readers or Lecturers or otherwise as teachers ofthe University;

(8) to institute and award Fellowships, Scholarships, Exhibitions and prizes;

(9) to establish and maintain Colleges and Halls, to recognise, guide, supervise and control Hallsnot maintained by the University and other accommodation for students, and to withdraw any suchrecognition;

(10) to regulate and enforce discipline among students and employees of the University and totake such disciplinary measures in this regard as may be deemed necessary;

(11) to make arrangements for promoting health and general welfare of students and employeesof the University;

(12) to determine and provide for examinations for admission into the University;

(13) to recognise for any purpose, either in whole or in part, any institution or members orstudents thereof on such terms and conditions as may, from time to time, be prescribed and towithdraw such recognition;

(14) to co-operate with any other University, authority or association or any other public orprivate body having in view the promotion of purposes and objects similar to those of the Universityfor such purposes as may be agreed upon, on such terms and conditions as may, from time to time, beprescribed;

(15) to enter into any agreement for the incorporation in the University of any other institutionand for taking over its rights, properties and liabilities and for any other purpose not repugnant to thisAct;

(16) to demand and receive payment of such fees and other charges as may be prescribed, fromtime to time;

(17) to receive donations and to acquire, hold, manage and dispose of any property movable orimmovable, including trust or endowed property within or outside the Union territory of Delhi, for thepurposes or objects of the University, and to invest funds in such manner as the University thinks fit;

(18) to make provision for research and advisory services; and for that purpose to enter into sucharrangements with other institutions or bodies as the University may deem necessary;

(19) to provide for the printing, reproduction and publication of research and other work whichmay be issued by the University;

(20) to borrow, with the approval of the Central Government, on the security of the Universityproperty, money for the purposes of the University;

(21) to do all such things as may be necessary, incidental or conducive to the attainment of all orany of the objects of the University.

(1) The jurisdiction of the University shall extend to all Collegesand recognised institutions.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (13) of section 5, the Jawaharlal Nehru Universityshall not grant recognition, either in whole or in part, to any institution which has already been recognisedby the University of Delhi unless the Central Government, after consultation with the University of Delhi,authorises the Jawaharlal Nehru University to do so.

(3) On and from the date of the recognition either in whole or in part of an institution by theJawaharlal Nehru University under sub- section (2), the University of Delhi shall to the extent of suchrecognition cease to have jurisdiction over that institution.

Notwithstanding anything contained in section 5,--

(a) where any institution or body established outside the Union territory of Delhi seeksrecognition from the University, or

(b) where the University establishes and maintains any institution or body outside the Unionterritory of Delhi,

then the powers and jurisdiction of the University shall extend to such institution or body subject to--

(i) the laws in force in the State within which, and

(ii) the rules and regulations of the University within whose jurisdiction,

the said institution or body is situated.

(1) The President of India shall be the Visitor of the University.

(2) The Visitor may, from time to time, appoint one or more persons to review the work and progressof the University and to submit a report thereon; and upon receipt of that report, the Visitor may, afterobtaining the views of the Executive Council thereon, take such action and issue such directions as heconsiders necessary in respect of any of the matters dealt with in the report and the University shall bebound to comply with such directions.

(3) The Visitor shall also have the right to cause an inspection to be made by such person or personsas he may direct of the University, its buildings, laboratories and equipment and of any institutionmaintained by the University, and also of the examinations, teaching and other work conducted or doneby the University and to cause an inquiry to be made in respect of any matter connected with theUniversity.

(4) The Visitor shall in every case give notice to the University of his intention to cause an inspectionor inquiry to be made, and the University shall be entitled to appoint a representative who shall have theright to be present and be heard at such inspection or inquiry.

(5) The Visitor may address the Vice-Chancellor with reference to the result of such inspection andinquiry, and the Vice-Chancellor shall communicate to the Executive Council the views of the Visitorwith such advice as the Visitor may offer upon the action to be taken thereon.

(6) The Executive Council shall communicate through the Vice-Chancellor to the Visitor such action,if any, as it is proposed to take or has been taken upon the result of such inspection or inquiry.

(7) Where the Executive Council does not, within a reasonable time, take action to the satisfaction ofthe Visitor, the Visitor may, after considering any explanation furnished or representation made by theExecutive Council, issue such directions as he may think fit and the Executive Council shall be bound tocomply with such directions.

(8) The Visitor may by order in writing annul any proceeding of the University which is not inconformity with this Act, the Statutes or the Ordinances.

(9) The Visitor shall also have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Statutes.

(1) There shall be a Chancellor appointed in the manner prescribedby the Statutes who shall be the Head of the University.

(2) The Chancellor shall, if present, preside at convocation of the University for conferring degreesand all meetings of the Court.

(3) There shall be a Vice-Chancellor appointed in the manner prescribed by the Statutes who shall bethe principal executive and Academic Officer of the University and ex officio Chairman of the ExecutiveCouncil, Academic Council and Finance Committee and he shall, in the absence of the Chancellor presideat any convocation for conferring degrees and also at any meeting of the Court.

(4) There shall be one or more Rectors who shall be appointed in such manner and with such powersand duties as may be prescribed by the Statutes.

(5) There shall be a Dean for each School of Study who shall be appointed in such manner and withsuch powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Statutes.

(6) There shall be a Registrar who shall act as Secretary of the Court, the Executive Council and theAcademic Council and he shall be appointed in such manner and with such powers and duties as may beprescribed by the Statutes.

(7) There shall be a Finance Officer who shall be the Secretary of the Finance Committee andexercise such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Statutes.

(8) There shall be such other officers as provided for in the Statutes.

The authorities of the University shall be the Court, theExecutive Council, the Academic Council, the Schools of Studies, the Finance Committee and such otherauthorities as may be declared by the Statutes to be authorities of the University.

(1) The Court shall be the supreme authority of the University, and its constitutionand the terms of office of its members shall be prescribed by the Statutes.

(2) The Court shall have the power to review the acts of the Executive Council and the AcademicCouncil (save when these authorities have acted in accordance with the powers conferred upon themunder this Act, the Statutes or the Ordinances) and shall exercise all the powers of the University nototherwise provided for by this Act or the Statutes:

Provided that the power of review under this sub-section shall not be exercised except by a majorityof the total membership of the Court and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of theCourt present and voting.

(1) The Executive Council shall be the executive body of theUniversity, and its constitution and the terms of office of its members, other than ex officio members,shall be prescribed by the Statutes.

(2) It shall be in charge of the general management and administration (including the revenue andproperty) of the University.

(1) The Academic Council shall be the academic body of theUniversity, and its constitution and the terms of office of its members, other than ex officio members,shall be prescribed by the Statutes.

(2) The Academic Council shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances,have the control and general regulation, and be responsible for the maintenance, of standards ofinstruction, education and examination within the University, and shall exercise such other powers andperform such other duties as may be conferred or imposed upon it by the Statutes.

(1) There shall be constituted an Academic AdvisoryCommittee of the University which shall advise generally on the planning and development of theUniversity and keep under review the standard of education and research in the University.--

(2) The Committee shall consist of

(a) not more than seven persons of high academic standing who shall be appointed in suchmanner as may be prescribed by the statutes, and

(b) the Vice-Chancellor.

(3) The Visitor may determine a date with effect from which the Academic Advisory Committee shallstand dissolved.

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes may provide for all or any of thefollowing matters, namely:--

(a) the constitution, powers and duties of the authorities and other bodies of the University, thequalifications and disqualifications for membership of such authorities and other bodies, appointmentand removal of members thereof and other matters connected therewith;

(b) the appointment, powers and duties of the officers of the University;

(c) the appointment, terms and conditions of service and the powers and duties of the employeesof the University;

(d) the terms and conditions under which institutions may be associated with the University;

(e) the administration of the University, the establishment and abolition of Colleges, institutionsand Halls, the grant and withdrawal of recognition to institutions, the institution of Fellowships,Awards and the like, the conferment of degrees and other academic distinctions and the grant ofdiplomas and certificates;

(f) any other matter which is necessary for the proper and effective management and conduct ofthe affairs of the University and which by this Act is to be or may be provided by the Statutes.

(1) The first Statutes are those set out in the Second Schedule.

(2) The Executive Council may, from time to time, make new or additional Statutes or may amend orrepeal the Statutes in the manner hereafter in this section provided:

Provided that the Executive Council shall not make any Statute or any amendment of a Statuteaffecting the status, powers or constitution of any existing authority of the University until such authorityhas been given an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the proposal, and any opinion so expressedshall be in writing and shall be considered by the Executive Council:

Provided further that no Statute shall be made by the Executive Council affecting the discipline ofstudents, and standards of instruction, education and examination except after consultation with theAcademic Council.

(3) Every new Statute or addition to the Statutes or any amendment or repeal of a Statute shallrequire the approval of the Visitor who may assent thereto or withhold assent on remit to the ExecutiveCouncil for consideration.

(4) A new Statute or a Statute amending or repealing an existing Statute shall have no validity unlessit has been assented to by the Visitor.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes, the Ordinances mayprovide for all or any of the following matters, namely:--

(a) the admission of students, the courses of study and the fees therefor, the qualificationspertaining to degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions, the conditions for thegrant of Fellowships, Awards and the like;

(b) the conduct of examinations, including the terms of office and appointment of examiners, andthe conditions of residence of students and their general discipline;

(c) the management of colleges and institutions maintained by the University;

(d) any other matter which by this Act or the Statutes is to be or may be provided by theOrdinances.

(2) The first Ordinances shall be made by the Vice-Chancellor with the previous approval of theCentral Government and the Ordinances so made may be amended, repealed or added to at any time bythe Executive Council in the manner prescribed by the Statutes.

1[(1)] The authorities of the University may make Regulations consistent with thisAct, the Statutes and the Ordinances for the conduct of their own business and that of the committeesappointed by them and not provided for by this Act, the Statutes or the Ordinances in the mannerprescribed by the Statutes.

2[(2) Every Statute, Ordinance or Regulation made under this Act shall be published in the OfficalGazette.

(3) Every Statute, Ordinance or Regulation made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be afterit is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days whichmay be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of thesession immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the Statute, Ordinance or Regulation or both Houses agree that the Statute,Ordinance or Regulation should not be made, the Statute, Ordinance or Regulation shall thereafter haveeffect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any suchmodification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done underthat Statute, Ordinance or Regulation.]

1. Section 18 renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 4 of 2005, s. 2 and Schedule (w.e.f.11-1-2005).

2. Ins. by s. 2 and the Schedule, ibid. (w.e.f.11-1-2005).

(1) The annual report of the University shall be prepared under the direction ofthe Executive Council and shall be submitted to the Court on or before such date as may be prescribed bythe Statutes and shall be considered by the Court at its annual meeting.

(2) The Court may communicate its comments thereon to the Executive Council.

1[(3) A copy of the annual report, as prepared under sub-section (1), shall also be submitted to theCentral Government, which shall, as soon as may be, cause the same to be laid before both Houses ofParliament.]

1. Ins. by Act 25 of 2008, s. 6 (w.e.f. 5-12-2008).

(1) The accounts of the University shall, once at least in every year and atintervals of not more than fifteen months, be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, orany person authorised by him in this behalf.

(2) The accounts, when audited shall be published in the Gazette of India, and a copy of the accountstogether with the audit report shall be submitted by the Registrar to the Visitor and to the Court.

1[(3) A copy of the accounts, together with the audit report, shall also be submitted to the CentralGovernment, which shall, as soon as may be, cause the same to be laid before both Houses of Parliament.]

1. Ins. by s. 7, ibid. (w.e.f. 5-12-2008).

If any question ariseswhether any person has been duly elected or appointed as, or is entitled to be, a member of any authorityor other body of the University, the matter shall be referred to the Visitor whose decision thereon shall befinal.

Where any authority of the University is given power by this Actor the Statutes to appoint committees, such committees shall, save as otherwise provided, consist ofmembers of the authority concerned and of such other persons (if any) as the authority in each case maythink fit.

All casual vacancies among the members (other than ex officiomembers) of any authority or other body of the University shall be filled, as soon as conveniently may be,by the person or body who appointed, elected or co-opted the member whose place has become vacant,and the person appointed, elected or co-opted to a casual vacancy shall be a member of such authority orbody for the residue of the term for which the person whose place he fills would have been a member.

No actor proceedings of any authority or other body of the University shall be invalidated merely by reason ofthe existence of a vacancy or vacancies among its members.

If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act,the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions notinconsistent with the purposes of this Act, as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing thedifficulty.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act and the Statutes--

(a) the first Chancellor, members of the Court, the Executive Council and the Academic Councilshall be nominated by the Visitor and shall hold office for a term of three years;

(b) the first Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Visitor and he shall hold office for a termof five years.

In the Delhi University Act, 1922, in sub-section (2) of section5, after the words "for the time being in force, the words and figures "but subject to the provisionscontained in the Jawaharlal Nehru University Act, 1966 shall be inserted.