THE NATIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCES UNIVERSITY ACT, 2020  
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
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CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1.  Short title and commencement. 
2.  Declaration of National Forensic Sciences University as an institution of national importance. 
3.   Definitions. 

CHAPTER II 
ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSITY 

4.  Establishment and incorporation of University.  
5.  Effect of incorporation of University. 
6.  Objects of University. 
7.  Powers and functions of University. 
8.  Jurisdiction of University. 
9.  University to be open to all races, creeds and classes. 
10.  Admission of students. 
11.  Teaching at University. 

CHAPTER III 
AUTHORITIES OF UNIVERSITY 

12.  Authorities of University. 
13.  Chancellor. 
14.  Court. 
15.  Board of Governors. 
16.  Powers of Board of Governors. 
17.  Terms of office of members of Board of Governors. 
18. Academic Council. 
19. Powers of Academic Council. 
20.  Officers of University. 
21.  Vice Chancellor. 
22.  Powers of Vice Chancellor. 
23.  Campus Directors. 
24.  Dean. 
25.  Executive Registrar. 
26.  Finance Officer. 
27.  Other officers. 
28.  Finance Committee. 
29.  Powers of Finance Committee. 
30.  Board for Affiliation and Recognition. 
31.  Other officers of University. 
32.  Grants by Central Government. 
33.  Grants by State Governments.  

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SECTIONS 

CHAPTER IV 
ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT 

34.  Corpus of University. 
35.  Fund. 
36.  Accounts and audit. 
37.  Pension and provident funds. 

CHAPTER V 
ANNUAL REPORT AND APPOINTMENTS 

38.  Annual report of University. 
39.  Appointments of officers of University. 

CHAPTER VI  
STATUTES AND ORDINANCE 

40.  Statutes. 
41.  Statutes how to be made. 
42.  Ordinances. 
43.  Ordinances how made. 

CHAPTER VII 
 TRIBUNAL OF ARBITRATION 

44.  Tribunal of Arbitration. 
45.  Redressal for debarment from examination and disciplinary action against students. 

CHAPTER VIII 
 MISCELLANEOUS 

46.  Disputes as to constitution of authorities and bodies. 
47.  Power of Central Government to make rules in respect of matters relating to Board of Governors. 
48.  Acts and proceeding not to be invalidated by vacancies, etc. 
49.  University to be a public authority under Right to Information Act. 
50.  Protection of action taken in good faith. 
51.  Power of Central Government to issue directions. 
52.  Residuary provision. 
53.  Laying of rules, Statutes, Ordinances and notifications. 
54.  Power to remove difficulties. 
55.  Transitional provisions. 
56.  Repeal of Gujarat Act 17 of 2008. 

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THE NATIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCES UNIVERSITY ACT, 2020 

ACT NO. 32 OF 2020 

[28th September, 2020.] 

An Act to establish and declare an institution to be known as the National Forensic Sciences 
University as an institution of national importance to facilitate and promote studies and research 
and to achieve excellence in the field of forensic science in conjunction with applied behavioural 
science studies, law, criminology and other allied areas and technology and other related fields, 
and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-first Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 

CHAPTER I  

PRELIMINARY 

1.  Short  title  and  commencement.—(1)  This  Act  may  be  called  the  National  Forensic  Sciences 

University Act, 2020. 

(2)  It  shall  come  into  force  on  such  date1  as  the  Central  Government  may,  by  notification  in  the 

Official Gazette, appoint, and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act. 

2.  Declaration  of  National  Forensic  Sciences  University  as  an  institution  of  national 
importance.— Whereas the objects of the National Forensic Sciences University are such as to make it 
an  institution  of  national  importance,  it  is  hereby  declared  that  the  National  University  of  Forensic 
Sciences is an institution of national importance. 

3. Definitions.— In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

(a) “Academic Council” means the Academic Council of the University referred to in section 18; 

(b) “academic staff” means teachers and such categories of staff as are designated to be academic 

staff by the Statutes; 

(c)    “affiliated  college”  means  an  institution  recognised  as  such  by  the  Board  of  Governors  in 

accordance with the provisions of this Act and the Statutes made thereunder; 

(d) “Board of Governors” means the Board of Governors of the University referred to in section 15; 

(e)  “campus”  means  the  campus  of  the  Gujarat  Forensic  Sciences  University  situated  at 
Gandhinagar,  Gujarat,  and  that  of  the  Lok  Nayak  Jayaprakash  Narayan  National  Institute  of 
Criminology  and  Forensic Sciences  situated  at  Rohini,  New  Delhi,  or  such other  campus  as  may  be 
established by the University at any place within India or outside India; 

1. 1st October, 2020, vide notification No. S.O. 3424(E), dated 30th August, 2020, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, 

sec. 3(ii).  

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(f) “Chancellor” means the Chancellor of the University; 

(g)  “college”  means  a  college  or  institution  maintained  or  admitted  to  the  privileges  of  the 

University for imparting education and training in forensic sciences or its related disciplines; 

(h) “Court” means the Court of the University referred to in section 14; 

(i) “Dean”, in relation to any School campus, means the Dean of such School campus; 

(j) “department” means an academic department of the University; 

(k)  “distance  education  system”  means  the  system  of  imparting  education  through  any  means  of 
communication such as broadcasting, telecasting, internet, correspondence courses,  seminars, contact 
programmes or the combination of any two or more such means; 

(l)  “employee”  means  any  person  appointed  by  the  University  and  includes  teachers,  other 

academic and non-academic staff of the University; 

(m)  “Executive  Registrar”  means  the  Executive  Registrar  of  the  University  referred  to  in                  

section 25; 

(n) “Finance Committee” means the Finance Committee of the University referred to in section 28; 

(o) “Fund” means the Fund of University referred to in section 35; 

(p) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette;  

(q) “School” means a school of study of the University; 

(r) “Statutes” and “Ordinances” mean, respectively, the Statutes and Ordinances of the University 

made under this Act; 

(s) “student” means a student of the University and its affiliated colleges, and includes any person 

who has enrolled for pursuing any course of study in the University; 

(t)  “teachers”  means  Directors,  Deans,  professors,  associate  professors,  assistant  professors  and 
such other persons as may be appointed for imparting instruction or conducting research or for giving 
guidance  for  research  or  rendering  assistance  to  students,  in  the  University  or  in  any  college  or 
institution maintained by the University; 

(u) “University” means the National Forensic Sciences University established under this Act; 

(v) “Vice-Chancellor” means the Vice-Chancellor of the University referred to in section 21. 

CHAPTER II 

ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSITY 

4. Establishment and incorporation of University.— (1) The Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, 
Gandhinagar, Gujarat established under the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University Act, 2008 (Gujrat Act 

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17  of  2018),  and  the  Lok  Nayak  Jayaprakash  Narayan  National  Institute  of  Criminology  and  Forensic 
Sciences,  New  Delhi  shall  be  established  as  an  University  by  the  name  of  National  Forensic  Sciences 
University. 

(2) The National Forensic Sciences University shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession 
and  a  common  seal  with  power,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  to  acquire,  hold  and  dispose  of 
property and to contract, and shall, by the said name, sue or be sued. 

(3) The headquarters of the University shall be at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. 

(4) The campuses of the University shall include the campuses situated at Gujarat Forensic Sciences 
University,  Gandhinagar,  Gujarat  and  the  Lok  Nayak  Jayaprakash  Narayan  National  Institute  of 
Criminology and Forensic Sciences, New Delhi and such other campuses as the Central Government may, 
by notification, specify. 

(5) The first Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Board of Governors, Academic Council, Directors, Deans, 
Executive Registrar and all other persons who may hereafter become such officers or members, so long as 
they continue to hold such office or membership, shall constitute the University. 

5. Effect of incorporation of University.— On and from the commencement of this Act,— 

(a) any reference to the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat or the Lok  
Nayak  Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences, New Delhi in 
any other law for the time being in force or in any contract or other instrument, shall be deemed as a 
reference to the University; 

(b)  all  appointments  made,  orders  issued,  degrees  and  other  academic  distinctions  conferred, 
diplomas and certificates awarded, privileges granted or other things done under the provisions of the 
Gujarat Forensic Sciences University Act, 2008, in so far as it relates to the Gujarat Forensic Sciences 
University,  Gandhinagar,  shall  be  deemed  to  have  been,  respectively,  made,  issued,  conferred, 
awarded,  granted  or  done  under  the  corresponding  provisions  of  this  Act,  and,  except  as  otherwise 
provided by or under this Act or the Statutes or Ordinances or regulations, continue in force unless 
and until they are superseded by the Statutes or Ordinances made under this Act; 

(c)  the  status  of  "Centre  of  Excellence"  and  "Institute  of  Strategic  or  Security  related  Interest" 
granted to the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar by the Government of Gujarat and 
the status of "Center of Excellence for Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances" conferred by 
the  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs,  Government  of  India,  to  the  Gujarat  Forensic  Sciences  University, 
Gandhinagar, shall be applicable to the University; 

(d)  all  properties,  movable  and  immovable,  of  or  belonging  to  the  Gujarat  Forensic  Sciences 
University,  Gandhinagar,  Gujarat  or  the  Lok  Nayak  Jayaprakash  Narayan  National  Institute  of 
Criminology and Forensic Sciences, New Delhi shall vest in the University; 

(e) all rights, debts and other liabilities of the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, 
Gujarat  or  the  Lok  Nayak  Jayaprakash  Narayan  National  Institute  of  Criminology  and  Forensic 
Sciences, New Delhi shall be transferred to and be the rights, debts and liabilities of the University; 

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(f) every person employed by the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat or 
the Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences, New 
Delhi, immediately before such commencement, shall hold his office or service in the University by 
the same tenure, at the same remuneration and upon the same terms and conditions and with the same 
rights and privileges as to pension, leave, gratuity, provident fund, and other matters as he would have 
held if this Act had not been passed, and shall continue to do so unless and until his employment is 
terminated  or  until  such  tenure,  remuneration  and  terms  and  conditions  are  duly  altered  by  the 
Statutes, not detrimental to the service conditions of such employee: 

Provided that any reference, by whatever form of words, to the Registrar and other officers of the 
Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat or the Lok Nayak Jayaprakash  Narayan 
National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences, New Delhi, in any law for the time being in 
force,  or  in  any  instrument  or  other  document,  shall  be  deemed  to  be  reference  to  the  Executive 
Registrar and other officers of the University; 

(g) any activity for appointment or promotion of academic or non-academic staff underway in the 
Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar at the time of commencement of this Act shall be 
deemed  to  be  valid,  and  further  proceeding  in  such  appointment  or  promotion  shall  be  taken  in 
accordance  with  the  provisions  of  this  Act  and  be  continued  from  the  stage  at  the  time  of 
commencement of this Act; 

(h)  every  person  pursuing,  before  the  commencement  of  this  Act,  any  academic  or  research 
course  or  programmes  of  study  in  the  Gujarat  Forensic  Sciences  University,  Gandhinagar,  shall  be 
deemed  to  have  migrated  and  registered  with  the  University,  on  such  commencement,  at  the  same 
level  of  course  or  programme  and  shall  continue  to  pursue  such  academic  or  research  course  and 
programmes of study in the University; 

(i) every person pursuing, before the commencement of this Act, any academic or research course 
in  the  Lok  Nayak  Jayaprakash  Narayan  National  Institute  of  Criminology  and  Forensic  Sciences, 
New  Delhi,  shall  continue  to  pursue  their  academic  courses  and  programmes  of  study  under  the 
enrolment  and  affiliation  of  the  Guru  Gobind  Singh  Indraprastha  University,  Delhi  which  shall 
conduct  examinations  and  award  degrees  to  them  upon  successful  completion  of  such  courses  and 
programmes of study; 

(j)  all  suits  and  other  legal  proceedings  instituted  or  which  could  have  been  instituted  by  or 
against  the  Gujarat  Forensic  Sciences  University,  Gandhinagar  or  the  Lok  Nayak  Jayaprakash 
Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences, New Delhi, immediately before the 
commencement of this Act, shall be continued or instituted by or against the University. 

6. Objects of University. — The objects of the University shall be— 

(i)  to  facilitate  and  promote  academic  learning  and  practices  in  the  field  of  forensic  science  in 
conjunction with applied behavioural science studies, law, legal studies, criminology and other allied 
areas  and  technology,  including  training,  skill-development,  research  and  extension  of  work  with 
focus on emerging areas in the said fields for strengthening criminal justice institutions in the country; 

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(ii)  to  foster  research  and  applied  applications  in  forensic  science,  applied  behavioural  science 
studies,  law,  legal  studies  and  other  allied  areas  and  technology  for  training,  research  and 
development by promoting innovations and best practices; 

(iii) to promote and provide advanced institutional and research facilities in the fields of forensic 

science, applied behavioural science, law, legal studies and other allied areas and technology; 

(iv) to create capacities and capabilities of global standards of education, training and research for 
development of aptitude, skills and knowledge within and outside the country at various levels in the 
fields  of forensic science, applied  behavioural  science,  law, legal  studies  and  other  allied areas  and 
technology; 

(v) to coordinate with the Central Government and State Governments to improve investigation, 
crime  detection  and  prevention  through  projects  and  research,  funded  by  grants-in-aid  from  the 
Central  Government  and  State  Governments,  in  fields  of  forensic  science,  applied  behavioural 
science, law, legal studies, criminology and other allied areas and technology; 

(vi)  to  advice  and  assist  the  Central  Government,  State  Governments  and  Union  territory 
Administrations  in  formulation  of  relevant  policies  including  their  review  in  the  fields  of  forensic 
science,  applied  behavioural  science,  law,  legal  studies,  criminology  and  other  allied  areas  and 
technology; 

(vii)  to  coordinate  and  network  with  the  institutions  having  specialisation  so  as  to  expand  the 
fields of forensic science, applied behavioural science, law, legal studies, criminology and other allied 
areas and technology, for promoting academics and research work through various pursuits; 

(viii) to administer, maintain and manage the University and to establish such off-site campus and 
off-shore  centres  for  education,  training  and  research  as  are  necessary  for  the  furtherance  of  the 
objects of the University within and outside the country; 

(ix)  to  assist  the  Central  Government  or  State  Governments  to  accredit  forensic  science 
laboratories,  provide  standard  operating  procedures,  and  lay  down  specifications  for  forensic 
equipment and kits to be used for forensic work in the country; 

(x) to set-up campus, colleges, schools, centres and institutions of excellence for imparting State 
of-the-art education, training and research in the fields of forensic science, cyber security and digital 
forensics, behavioural science, technology and management; 

(xi) to assist the Central Government to create and maintain national forensic data base required 
for  criminal  investigation,  including  fingerprints,  voice,  Deoxyribonucleic  Acid  (DNA),  firearms, 
counterfeit currency, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, cyber  security, cyber defence and 
internal security; 

(xii) to undertake special projects for Central Government and State Governments; and 

(xiii)  to  undertake  any  other  objects,  not  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of this  Act  which  the 

Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf. 

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7.  Powers  and  functions  of  University.—  (1)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  the 

University shall exercise the following powers and perform the following functions, namely:— 

(a) to provide for studies, training, skill-development, research and extension of work in forensic 
science,  applied  behavioural  science,  law,  legal  studies,  criminology  and  other  allied  areas  and 
technology with focus on emerging areas of forensic science studies and related technologies; 

(b) to establish and maintain campuses, colleges, institutions, schools, departments, laboratories, 
libraries, centres of research, training, skill-development, research and specialised studies within and 
outside the country; 

(c) to plan and prescribe courses of study or skill-development, such as degrees, diplomas, and 

certificates; 

(d)  to  hold  examinations  and  grant  degrees,  diplomas,  certificates  and  other  academic 

distinctions; 

(e) to confer honorary degrees or other distinctions; 

(f) to grant, subject to such conditions as the University may determine, diplomas or certificates 
to,  of  evaluation  or  any  other  method  of  testing,  and  to  withdraw  any  such  diplomas,  certificates, 
degrees or other academic distinction for good and sufficient cause; 

(g)  to  provide  facilities  through  the  distance  education  system  to  such  persons  as  it  may 

determine; 

(h) to introduce semester system, continuous evaluation and choice-based credit system and enter 
into agreements with other Universities and academic institutions for credit transfer and joint degree 
programmes;  

(i) to make provisions for research and advisory services and for that purpose to enter into such 
arrangements with other institutions or bodies, national or international, as the University may deem 
necessary;  

(j)  to  receive  grants-in-aid  to  undertake  projects  for  research  and  special  assignments  for  the 

Central Government and State Governments; 

 (k)  to  determine,  specify  and  receive  payment  of  fees  and  other  charges  as  the  University  may 
deem fit, from students and any other person, institution or body corporate for instruction and other 
services, including training, consultancy and advisory services, provided by the University; 

(l) to establish, maintain and manage University buildings, halls, hostels and other campuses for the 

University in any other place; 

(m) to affiliate colleges and institutions of higher learning for such purposes as the University may 

determine and to withdraw such recognition; 

(n) to supervise and control the residence and regulate the discipline of students of the University 

and to make arrangements for promoting their health, general welfare, cultural and corporate life;  

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(o)  to  create  academic  and  other  teaching  posts  and  to  make  appointments  thereto  (except  the 
posts  of  Chancellor  and  Vice-Chancellor)  as  may  be  necessary  for  imparting  instruction  and 
managing the affairs of the University;  

(p)  to  appoint  on  contract  or  otherwise  visiting  professors,  emeritus  professors,  consultants, 
scholars including those located outside the country, and such other persons who may contribute to 
the advancement of the University; 

(q)  to  create  non-teaching,  administrative,  ministerial  and  other  posts  in  the  University  and  to 

make appointment thereto;  

(r)  to  cooperate,  collaborate  or  partner  or  associate  with  educational  or  other  institutions  and 
organisations, public and private, including those located outside the country having objects wholly or 
partly similar to those of the University by exchange of teachers and scholars and generally in such 
manner as may be conducive to their common objects; 

(s) to institute and award fellowships, scholarships, exhibitions, prizes and medals; 

(t)  to  provide  for  the  preparation  of  instructional  material  including  related  software  and  other 

audio-visual aids;  

(u) to sponsor and make provision for research and development in areas of core competence of 

the University; 

(v) to enter into, carry out, vary or cancel contracts;  

(w) to demand and receive such fees and other charges as may be specified by Ordinances; 

(x) to receive benefactions, donations and gifts from persons and to name after them such chairs, 
institutions, buildings and the like, as the University may determine, whose gift and donations to the 
University is worth such as the University may decide; 

(y)  to acquire, hold, manage and dispose of any property, movable or immovable, including trust 

and endowment properties for the purposes of the University; 

(z)  to  initiate  measures  to  enlist  the  cooperation  of  the  industry  to  provide  complementary 

facilities; 

(za) to establish off-shore campus at any place outside the country as and when it is considered 

necessary for advancing the aims and objectives of the University; 

(zb) to provide for printing, reproduction and publication of research and other work; 

(zc)  to  provide,  control  and  maintain  discipline  among  the  students  and  all  categories  of 
employees  and  to  lay  down  the  conditions  of  service  of  such  employees,  including  their  code  of 
conduct; 

(zd) to conduct innovative experiments and develop new methods and technologies in the field of 
science,  technology  and  management  in  relation  to  the  domains  of  investigation,  prevention  and 

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detection  of  crimes  and  furthering  the  cause  of  criminal  justice  systems  in  order  to  achieve 
international standards of such education, training research and consultancy;  

(ze) to admit students for courses in Institute and its affiliated centres and institutes on an all India 

basis in such manner as may be laid down in the Statutes; 

(zf)  to  admit  foreign  students,  Overseas  Citizen  of  India  card  holder,  Person  of  Indian  Origin, 
non-resident  Indian,  children  of  Indian  workers  in  Gulf  and  South-East  Asian  Countries,  in  such 
manner and as may be laid down in the Statutes;  

(zg)  to  purchase  or  to  take  on  lease  any  land  or  building  or  works  which  may  be  necessary  or 
convenient  for  the  purpose  of  the  University  on  such  terms  and  conditions  as  it  may  think  fit  and 
proper and to construct, alter and maintain any such buildings or works;  

(zh) to raise and borrow moneys on bonds, mortgages, promissory notes or other obligations or 
securities founded or based upon all or any of the properties and assets of the University or without 
any securities and upon such terms and conditions as it may think fit and to pay out of the funds of the 
University,  all  expenses  incidental  to  the  raising  of  moneys,  to  repay  and  redeem  any  money 
borrowed after taking prior permission of the Board of Governors;  

(zi) to invest the funds of the University in or upon such securities and transpose any investment 

from time to time in such manner as it may deem fit in the interest of University; and 

(zj) to do all such things as may be necessary, incidental or conducive to the attainment of all or 

any of the objects of the University. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the University shall not dispose of in 

any manner any immovable property without the prior approval of the Central Government. 

8. Jurisdiction of University.— The jurisdiction of the University shall extend to the whole of 

India. 

9. University to be open to all races, creeds and classes.— (1) The University shall be open to 
all persons irrespective of gender, race, caste, creed, disability, domicile, ethnicity, social or economic 
background. 

(2) No bequest, donation or transfer of any property shall be accepted by the University which in 
the  opinion  of the  Board  of  Governors involves  conditions  or  obligations  opposed  to the  spirit and 
object of this section. 

(3) Admissions to every academic programme of study in the University shall be based on merit 
assessed  through  transparent  and  reasonable  criteria  disclosed  prior  to  the  commencement  of  the 
process of admission by the University:  

Provided  that  the  University  shall  be  a  Central  Educational  Institution  for  the  purposes  of  the 

Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006 (5 of 2007). 

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10. Admission of students.— (1) It shall be the endeavor of the University to maintain an all-India 

character, and high standards of teaching and research. 

(2) Admission of students for courses in University shall be made on an all-India basis in such 

manner as may be specified in the Ordinances. 

11. Teaching at University.— All teaching at the University and its campuses or affiliated colleges 
shall be conducted by and in the name of the University in accordance with the Statutes and Ordinances 
made in this behalf. 

CHAPTER III 

AUTHORITIES OF UNIVERSITY 

12. Authorities of University.— The following shall be the authorities of the University, namely:—  

(a) Chancellor;  

(b) Court;  

(c) Board of Governors; 

(d) Academic Council;  

(e) Board for Affiliation and Recognition;  

(f) Finance Committee; and 

(g) such other authorities as may laid down in the Statutes to be the authorities of the University. 

13. Chancellor.— (1) The Central Government may, by notification, appoint a person of eminence as 

the Chancellor of the University in consultation with such State Governments as it deems fit. 

(2) The Chancellor shall, by virtue of his office, be the Head of the University and shall preside at 

the convocations of the University held for conferring degrees. 

(3)  The  Chancellor  may  invite  any  person  or  persons  of  eminence  to  advise  the  University  in 

relation to the affairs of the University as and when necessary. 

(4)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  this  Act,  the  Chancellor  may  order  or  undertake  an 

inspection or inquiry, if he deems it necessary. 

(5) The Chancellor shall have such other powers as may be laid down in the Statutes. 

14. Court. –(1) The Central Government shall, by notification, constitute a Court for the University to 

be headed by the Chancellor. 

(2)  The  members  of  the  Court  shall  be  nominated  by  the  Central  Government,  in  consultation  with 
such State Governments as it deems fit, from amongst persons of eminence, including from the fields of 
forensics, bio-technology, criminal justice, law enforcement, technology and academia. 

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(3) The term of office of members of the Court shall be such as may be laid down in the Statutes. 

(4) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the convenor of the Court. 

(5) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Court shall have the following powers and perform the 

following functions, namely:— 

(a)  to  review,  from  time  to  time,  the  broad  policies  and  programmes  of  the  University,  and  to 

suggest measures for the improvement and development of the University; 

(b) to consider and pass resolutions on the annual report and the annual accounts of the University 

and the audit report on such accounts; and 

(c) to perform such other functions as may be laid down in the Statutes. 

(6) The Court shall meet at least once in a year. 

15.  Board  of  Governors.—  (1)  The  Board  of  Governors  of  the  University  shall  consist  of  the 

following members, namely:— 

(a) Vice-Chancellor—Chairperson, ex officio; 

(b) Financial  Adviser, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India—member, ex officio;  

(c) one representative of the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Government of India not below the 

rank of Joint Secretary—member, ex officio;  

(d) an officer of the Home Department, not below the rank of the Secretary to the Government of 

Gujarat—member, ex officio; 

(e) Registrar General of the High Court of Gujarat—member, ex officio;  

(f) Director-cum-Chief  Forensic Scientist, Director of Forensic Science Services, Ministry of 

Home Affairs, Government of India—member, ex officio;  

(g)  five  persons  of  eminence  selected  from  the  fields  of  forensic  science,  law,  enforcement, 
criminology,  computer  science,  engineering,  technology,  management,  forensic  medicine  and 
pharmacy, to be nominated by the Central Government, in consultation with such State Governments 
as it deems fit—members; 

(h) all Campus Directors of the University—members, ex officio.  

(2) The Executive Registrar shall be the Secretary of the Board.  

(3)  The  Chairperson  shall  exercise  such  other  powers  and  perform  such  other  functions  as  may  be 

assigned to him by or under this Act or the Statutes. 

16.  Powers  of  Board  of  Governors.—(1)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  the  Board  of 
Governors shall be responsible for the general superintendence, direction and the control of affairs of the 
University and shall exercise all the powers of the University not otherwise provided by this Act, Statutes 

12 

 
 
or  Ordinances  and  shall  have  the  power  to  review  the  acts  of  the  Academic  Council  and  the  Finance 
Committee and other committees or authorities of the University. 

(i)  take  decisions  on  question  of  policy  relating  to  the  administration  and  working  of  the 

University;  

(ii) institute courses of study in the University;  

(iii) make Statutes; 

(iv) modify or cancel Statutes;  

(v)  create  posts  and  appoint  persons  to  academic  as  well  as  other  posts  in  the  University  and 

determine salary structure and the terms and conditions of different cadres of employees;  

(vi) consider and pass resolutions on the annual report, annual accounts and the budget estimates of 

the University for every financial year;  

(vii) invest money and funds of the University and to take decision on the recommendations of the 

Finance Committee; 

(viii)  publish  or  finance  the  publication  of  studies,  treaties,  books,  periodicals,  reports  and  other 

literature from time to time and to sell or arrange for the sale as it may deem fit;  

(ix)  appoint  such  committees  as  it  considers  necessary  for  the  exercise  of  its  powers  and 

performance of its duties under this Act;  

(x) appoint Campus Directors; 

(xi)  consider  and  approve  the  proposals  recommended  by  the  Board  for  Affiliation  and 

Recognition;  

(xii)  delegate  any  of  its  power  to  the  Directors,  Deans,  Executive  Registrar  or  any  other  officer, 

employee or to any authority of the University or to a committee appointed by it; and  

(xiii) exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be conferred or imposed 
upon it by or under this Act or the Statutes or Ordinances made thereunder for achieving the objects of 
the University.  

(3) The Board of Governors shall meet at least two times in a year and the presence of at least six 

members shall form the quorum for a meeting of the Board of Governors. 

17. Terms of office of members of Board of Governors.— (1) Save as otherwise provided in this 
section, the term of a nominated member of the Board of Governors under clause (g) of sub-section (1) of 
section 15 shall be three years from the date of his nomination. 

(2) A nominated member of the Board of Governors shall be eligible for re-nomination for the next 

term. 

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(3) A nominated member of the Board of Governors may resign from his office by writing under his 
hand addressed to the Chairperson and his resignation shall take effect from the date it is accepted by the 
Chairperson. 

(4) The term of office of an ex officio member of the Board of Governors shall continue so long as he 

holds the office by the virtue of which he is a member. 

18. Academic Council.—(1) The Academic Council of the University shall consist of the following 

members, namely:— 

(i) Vice-Chancellor—Chairperson, ex officio; 

(ii) two academicians or professionals to be nominated by the Board of Governors —members; 

(iii) two academicians or professionals in the field of forensic science to be nominated by the Board 

of Governors—members;  

(iv)  Director-cum-Chief  Forensic  Scientist,  Directorate  of  Forensic  Science  Services,  Ministry  of 

Home Affairs, Government of India—member, ex officio; 

(v) Campus Directors—members, ex officio; 

(vi) one Dean or professor or associate professor from each discipline of the School, by rotation, to 

be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor—members, ex officio;  

(vii)  two  representatives  of  industry  or  industry  bodies  in  related  sectors  to  be  nominated  by  the 

Board of Governors—members.  

(2) The Executive Registrar shall be the Secretary of the Council.  

(3)  The  term  of  office  of  the  members  nominated  under  clauses  (ii),  (iii),  (vi)  and  (vii)  of                  

sub-section (1) shall be three years, and the members shall be eligible for re-nomination for the next term. 

19.  Powers  of  Academic  Council.—  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act  and  the  Statutes  made 
thereunder,  the  Academic  Council  of  the  University  shall  exercise  the  following  powers  and  perform 
following functions, namely:— 

(i) to specify the academic policies of the University and be responsible for the maintenance and 

improvement of standards of instruction, education and evaluation in the University; 

(ii) to consider matters of general academic interest either on its own initiative or on a reference 

from the faculty of the University or the Board of Governors and to take appropriate action thereof; 

(iii)  to  review  and recommend  to  the  Board  of  Governors  regarding  proposals  received  from  the 

Board for Affiliation and Recognition;  

(iv) to make Ordinances; 

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(v) to recommend to the Board of Governors, to make such Statutes as are consistent with this Act 

regarding the academic functioning of the Institute including discipline of students; and  

(vi)  to  exercise  such  other  powers  and  perform  such  other  functions  as  may  be  conferred  or 

imposed upon it by the Statutes or Ordinances. 

20. Officers of University.— The following shall be the officers of the University, namely:— 

(a) Vice-Chancellor;  

(b) Campus Directors; 

(c) Deans;  

(d) Executive Registrar; and  

(e) such other persons in the service of the University as may be laid down in the Statutes, to be 

the officers of the University. 

21.  Vice-Chancellor.—(1)  The  Central  Government  may,  in  consultation  with  such  State 

Governments as it deems fit, by notification, appoint the Vice-Chancellor of the University. 

(2) A person shall be qualified to be appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the University, if he is— 

(i) a person of eminence in the field of forensic sciences; 

(ii) associated in administration of criminal justice, development matters, education, philanthropy, 
industrial or business development or exemplary administration in the central services, State services, 
corporations or public bodies at national and international levels. 

(3)  The  Vice-Chancellor  shall  hold  office  for  a  period  of  three  years  and  shall  be  eligible  for 

reappointment for another term or till he attains the age of seventy years. 

(4) The other terms and conditions of the Vice-Chancellor shall be such as may be laid down in the 

Statutes.  

(5)  The  Vice-Chancellor  may  resign  from  his  office  by  writing  under  his  hand  addressed  to  the 

Chancellor and such a resignation shall take effect from the date of acceptance by the Chancellor. 

22. Powers of Vice Chancellor.— (1) The Vice-Chancellor shall have, subject to the provisions of 
this Act, power to cause an inspection or review to be made by such person or persons as he may direct, 
of  the  University,  its  buildings,  hostels,  libraries,  equipment  and  systems  and  processes  and  of  any 
institution  or  centre  maintained  by  the  University,  and  also of the  examinations,  teaching,  research  and 
other works conducted or done by the University and to cause an inquiry to be made in like manner in 
respect of any matter connected with the administration, academic affairs and finance of the University. 

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, the Vice-Chancellor shall— 

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(i) preside at the meetings of the Board of Governors, Academic Council, Board for Affiliation and 

Recognition and Finance Committee; 

(ii)  be  the  principal  academic  and  executive  officer  of  the  University  and  shall  exercise  general 
supervision  and  control  over  the  affairs  of  the  University  and  give  effect  to  the  decisions  of  all  the 
authorities of the University;  

(iii) be responsible for imparting of instructions and maintenance of discipline in the University; 

(iv) submit annual reports and accounts to the Board of Governors;  

(v) ensure that decisions taken by the Board of Governors are implemented;  

(vi) have the power to delegate some of his powers to any of his subordinates under intimation to 

the Board of Governors;  

(vii) nominate a Director of the University to perform his functions during the period of his leave; 

(viii) have all financial powers of the Secretary to the Government of India for the purposes of rules 
of the Government, in so far as they are applicable or may be made applicable to the conduct of the 
business  of  the  University,  subject  to  the  additional  power  that  may  be  delegated  by  the  Board  of 
Governors from time to time; 

(ix)  exercise  such  other  powers  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  assigned  to  him  by  or 
under this Act or the Statutes or Ordinances or as may be delegated to him by the Board of Governors.  

(3) If the post of the Vice-Chancellor remains vacant for any reason, it shall be open to the Chancellor 
to  authorise  a  senior  regular  professor  in  the  service  of  the  University  or  any  other  appropriate  person 
possessing  the  qualification  provided  under  sub-section  (2)  of  section  21  to  exercise  such  powers, 
functions and duties of the Vice-Chancellor during such vacancy. 

 (4)  Where  any  matter  is  of  urgent  nature  requiring  immediate  action  and  the  same  cannot  be 
immediately dealt with by the authority or body of the University empowered under this Act to deal with 
it, the Vice-Chancellor may take such action as he may deem fit and shall forthwith report the action so 
taken by him to the authority or body of the University who or which, in the ordinary course, would have 
dealt with the matter: 

Provided that if such authority or other body is of the opinion that such action ought not to have been 
taken by the Vice-Chancellor, it may refer the matter to the Board of Governors which may either confirm 
the action taken by the Vice-Chancellor or annul the same or modify it in such manner as it thinks fit, and 
thereupon the action shall cease to have effect or, as the case may be, shall take effect in such modified 
form,  and  such  modification  or  annulment  shall  be  without  prejudice  to  the  validity  of  anything 
previously done by or under the order of the Vice-Chancellor. 

(5)  Where  the  exercise  of  the  power  by  the  Vice-Chancellor  under  sub-section  (4)  involves  the 
appointment  of  any  person,  such  appointment  shall  be  confirmed  by  the  competent  authority  in  the 
University empowered to approve such appointment in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the 
Statutes  made  thereunder,  within  a  period  of  one  year  from  the  date  of  order  of  the  Vice-Chancellor, 

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otherwise such appointment shall cease to have effect on the expiration of a period of one year from the 
date of order of the Vice-Chancellor. 

23.  Campus  Directors.—  (1)  The  Campus  Directors  of  the  University  shall  be  appointed  by  the 
Vice-Chancellor  with  the  approval  of  the  Board  of  Governors  in  such  manner  and  on  such  terms  and 
conditions as may be laid down in the Statutes. 

(2) The Campus Directors shall assist the Vice-Chancellor in managing the academic, administrative 
and other affairs of the campus of University, and shall exercise such powers and perform such functions 
as may be laid down in the Statutes or entrusted to them by the Vice-Chancellor. 

24.  Dean.—  (1)  The  Deans  of  each  School  of  the  University  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Vice-

Chancellor on such terms and conditions as may be laid down in the Statutes. 

(2) The Deans shall assist the Vice-Chancellor, Executive Registrar and respective Campus Directors 
in  managing  the  academic  and  other  affairs  of  the  Schools  of  the  University  and  shall  exercise  such 
powers  and  perform  such  functions  as  may  be  laid  down  in  the  Statutes  or  entrusted  to  them  by  the               
Vice-Chancellor. 

25. Executive Registrar.— (1) The Executive Registrar shall be appointed by the University in such 

manner and on such terms and conditions as may be laid down in the Statutes. 

(2)  The  Executive  Registrar  shall  exercise  the  following  powers  and  perform  the  following  duties, 

namely:— 

(i)  be  responsible  for  the  custody  of  records,  common  seal,  the  funds  and  properties  of  the 

University; 

(ii) place before the Board of Governors and other authorities of the University all such information 

and documents as may be necessary for transaction of its business; 

(iii) be responsible to the Vice-Chancellor for the proper discharge of his functions; 

(iv) be responsible for the administration of the University and conduct the examinations and make 
all  other  arrangements  necessary  thereof  and  be  responsible  for  the  execution  of  all  processes 
connected therewith; 

(v) attest and execute all documents on behalf of the University; 

(vi)  verify  and  sign  the  pleadings  in  all  suits  and  other  legal  proceedings  by  or  against  the 
University  and  all  processes  in  such  suits  and  proceedings  shall  be  issued  to  and  served  on  the 
Executive Registrar; 

(vii) act as the Secretary of the Board of Governors, the Academic Council, the Finance Committee 

and such committees as may be specified by the Board of Governors; and 

(viii) exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be laid down in the Statutes 

or as may be delegated to him by the Board of Governors or the Vice-Chancellor. 

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26. Finance Officer.— The Finance Officer shall be appointed by the University in such manner, on 
such emoluments and on such other terms and conditions of service and shall exercise such powers and 
perform such duties as may be laid down in the Statutes. 

27.  Other  officers.—  The  manner  of  appointment  and  powers  and  duties  of  other  officers  of  the 

University shall be such as may be laid down in the Statutes. 

28.  Finance  Committee.—  (1)  The  Finance  Committee  shall  consist  of  the  following  members, 

namely:— 

(a) Vice-Chancellor, who shall be the Chairperson of the Committee; 

(b)  two  members  of  the  Board  of  Governors,  of  which  one  shall  be  ex  officio  member  to  be 

nominated by the Board of Governors; 

(c) all Campus Directors; 

(d) one expert in the field of finance to be nominated by the Board of Governors; 

(e) Dean of any one School of the University, in rotation, as may be nominated by the Board of 

Governors. 

(2) The Executive Registrar shall be the Secretary of the Finance Committee. 

(3) The term of office of the members nominated under clauses (b), (d) and (e) shall be three years 

and the said members shall be eligible for renomination. 

29.  Powers  of  Finance  Committee.—  Save  as  otherwise  provided  in  this  Act,  the  Finance 

Committee shall exercise the following powers and perform the following functions, namely:— 

(a) to examine the annual accounts and annual budget estimates of the University and to advise the 

Board of Governors thereof; 

(b) to review from time to time the financial position of the University; 

(c)  to  make  recommendations  to  the  Board  of  Governors  on  all  financial  policy  matters  of  the 

University; 

(d)  to  make  recommendations  to  the  Board  of  Governors  on  all  proposals  involving  raising  of 

funds, receipts and expenditure; 

(e) to provide guidelines for investment of surplus funds; 

(f) to make recommendations to the Board of Governors on all proposals involving expenditure for 
which  no  provision  has  been  made  in  the  budget  or  for  which  expenditure  in  excess  of  the  amount 
provided in the budget needs to be incurred; 

(g) to examine all proposals relating to the revision of pay scales, upgradation of the pay scales and 

those items which are not included in the budget prior to placing before the Board of Governors; and 

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(h) to exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be conferred or imposed 

upon it by this Act or the Statutes or Ordinances made thereunder. 

30. Board for Affiliation and Recognition.— (1) The Board for Affiliation and Recognition shall be 

responsible for admitting colleges and institutions to the privileges of the University. 

(2) The constitution of the Board for Affiliation and Recognition, the term of office of its members 

and its powers and functions shall be such as may be laid down in the Statutes. 

31.  Other  officers  of  University.—  The  Board  of  Governors  may,  by  Statutes,  declare  such  other 
authorities  or  officers  of  the  University  and  specify  the  powers,  functions  and  duties  of  each  such 
authority or officer, as the case may be. 

32. Grants by Central Government.— For the purpose of enabling the University to discharge its 
functions  efficiently  under  this  Act,  the  Central  Government  may,  after  due  appropriation  made  by 
Parliament by law in this behalf, pay to the University, in each financial year, such sums of money in such 
manner as it may deem fit. 

33. Grants by State Governments.— The University may receive such sums of money as grants-in-

aid annually or as one-time grant from any State Government. 

CHAPTER IV 

ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT 

34. Corpus of University.—The University may receive funds from the Central Government or State 

Governments or other sources or use its funds to maintain and operate a corpus of the University. 

35. Fund.— (1) The University shall maintain a Fund to which shall be credited— 

(a) all moneys provided by the Central  Government; 

(b) all moneys received from State Governments; 

(c) all fees and other charges received by the University; 

(d) all moneys received by the University by way of grants, gifts, donations, benefactions, bequests 

or transfers; 

(e)  all interest from corpus, or any other such earnings;  

(f) any loans taken by the University;  

(g)  the  moneys  received  by  the  University  from  the  collaborating  industries  in  terms  of  the 
provisions  of  the  Memorandum  of  Understanding  entered  between  the  University  and  such  industry 
for establishment of sponsored chairs, fellowships or infrastructure facilities of the University; and 

(h) all moneys received by the University in any other manner or from any other source.  

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(2)  All moneys credited to the Fund of the University shall be deposited in such banks or invested in 

such manner as the University may, with the approval of the Finance Committee, decide. 

(3)    The  Fund  of  the  University  shall  be  applied  towards  the  expenses  of  the  University  including 

expenditure incurred in the exercise of its powers and discharge of its functions by or under this Act. 

36.  Accounts  and  audit.—  (1)  The  University  shall  maintain  proper  accounts  and  other  relevant 
records  and  prepare  an  annual  statement  of  accounts  including  the  balance-sheet,  in  such  form  and 
accounting standard as may be specified, by notification, by the Central Government in consultation with 
the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. 

 (2) The accounts of the University shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India 
and any expenditure incurred by it in connection with such audit shall be payable by it to the Comptroller 
and Auditor-General of India. 

(3)  The  Comptroller  and  Auditor-General  of  India  and  any  person  appointed  by  him  in  connection 
with  the  audit  of  the  accounts  of  the  University  shall  have  the  same  rights,  privileges  and  authority  in 
connection with such audit as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India has in connection with the 
audit  of  the  Government  accounts,  and,  in  particular,  shall  have  the  right  to  demand  the  production  of 
books,  accounts,  connected  vouchers  and  other  documents  and  papers  and  to  inspect  the  offices  of  the 
University. 

(4) The  accounts of the  University  as certified  by  the  Comptroller  and  Auditor-General  of  India  or 
any other person appointed by him in this behalf together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded 
annually  to  the  Central  Government  and  that  Government  shall  cause  the  same  to  be  laid  before  each 
House of Parliament. 

37.  Pension  and  provident  funds.—  (1)  The  University  may  constitute  for  the  benefit  of  its 
employees such provident or pension fund or provide such insurance scheme as it may deem fit in such 
manner and subject to such conditions as may be laid down in the Statutes. 

(2)  Where  any  provident  fund  has  been  constituted  under  sub-section  (1),  the  Central  Government 
may declare that the provisions of the Provident Funds Act, 1925 (19 of 1925) shall apply to such fund as 
if it were a Government provident fund. 

CHAPTER V 

ANNUAL REPORT AND APPOINTMENTS 

38. Annual report of University.—(1) The annual report of the University shall be prepared by the 
Vice-Chancellor, which shall include, among other matters, the steps taken by the University towards the 
fulfilment of its objects and an outcome based assessment of the research being undertaken by it, and be 
submitted  to  the  Board  of  Governors  on  or  before  such  date  as  may  be  specified  and  the  Board  of 
Governors shall consider the report in its annual meeting. 

(2) The annual report, as approved by the Board of Governors, shall be published and placed on the 

website of the University.  

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(3) The Vice-Chancellor shall prepare and release for every year a report, in English and in Hindi, the 
working of the University in the previous year on or before the expiry of nine months from the close of 
financial  year,  and  a  copy  of  the  same,  together  with  an  audited  statement  of  accounts  showing  the 
income and expenditure for the previous year shall  be submitted to the Central Government within that 
stipulated time, and the same may be caused to be laid before each House of Parliament. 

39. Appointments of officers of University.— All appointments of the employees of the University, 
except  the Vice-Chancellor,  shall  be  made  in  accordance  with  the  procedure  laid  down  in  the  Statutes, 
by—  

(a)  the  Board  of  Governors,  if  the  appointment  is  made  on  the  academic  staff  in  the  post  of 
Assistant  Professor  or  above,  or  if  the  appointment  is  made  on  the  non-academic  staff  in  any  post 
equivalent to Group ‘A’ and above, as the case may be; 

(b) by the Vice-Chancellor, in any other case. 

CHAPTER VI 

STATUTES AND ORDINANCES 

40.  Statutes.—Subject  to the  provisions  of  this  Act, the  Statutes  may  provide  for  all  or  any  of  the 

following matters, namely:—  

(a) the constitution, powers and functions of authorities and other bodies of the University, as may 

be constituted from time to time;  

(b) the appointment and continuance in office of the members of the said authorities and bodies, 
the  filling  up  of  vacancies  of  members,  and  all  other  matters  relating  to  those  authorities  and  other 
bodies for which it may be necessary or desirable to provide; 

(c) the appointment, powers and duties of the officers of the University and their emoluments; 

(d)  the  appointment  of  teachers,  academic  staff  from  within  the  country  or  from  outside  the 

country, and other employees of the University, their emoluments and conditions of service; 

(e) the appointment of teachers and academic staff working in any other University or organisation 

for a specific period for undertaking a joint project; 

(f) the conditions of service of employees including provisions for pension, insurance, provident 

fund, manner of termination of service and disciplinary action;  

(g) the principles governing the seniority of service of the employees of the University; 

(h)  the  procedure  for  arbitration  in  cases  of  dispute  between  employees  or  students  and  the 

University;  

(i)  the  procedure  for  appeal  to  the  Board  of  Governors  by  any  employee  or  student  against  the 

action of any officer or authority of the University;  

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(j) the conferment of affiliation to a college or an institution or a Department under the University;  

(k)  the  establishment  and  abolition  of  Schools,  departments,  centres,  halls,  colleges  and 

institutions;  

(l) the conferment of honorary degrees;  

(m) the withdrawal of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions;  

(n) the management of campuses and affiliated colleges by the University;  

(o) the delegation of powers vested in the authorities or officers of the University;  

(p) the maintenance of discipline among the employees and students; and  

(q) any other matter, which by this Act are to be, or may be, laid down in the Statutes.  

41. Statutes how to be made.— (1) The first Statutes of the University shall be made by the Board 
of Governors with the prior approval of the Central Government and a copy of the same shall be laid as 
soon as may be it is made, before each House of Parliament: 

Provided  that  till  such  Statutes  are  made,  the  provisions  of  existing  regulations  of  the  Gujarat 

Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar shall continue to be applicable: 

Provided  further  that  till  the  Statutes  for  the  administrative  functioning  of  Delhi  campus  of  the 
University  is  made,  the  functions  in  Delhi  campus  shall  continue  in  the  same  manner  presently  being 
followed  by  the  Lok  Nayak  Jayaprakash  Narayan  National  Institute  of  Criminology  and  Forensic 
Sciences, New Delhi.  

(2) The Board of Governors may, from time to time, make new or additional Statutes or may amend 

or repeal the Statutes referred to in sub-section (1): 

Provided  that  the  Board  of  Governors  shall  not  make,  amend  or  repeal  any  Statutes  affecting  the 
status,  powers  or constitution  of  any  authority  of  the University  until  such  authority  has  been  given  an 
opportunity of expressing an opinion in writing on the proposed changes, and any opinion so expressed 
shall be considered by the Board of Governors. 

(3)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  this  section,  the  Central  Government  may  direct  the 

University to make provisions in the Statutes in respect of any matter as it may specify.  

(4) The power to make Statutes shall include the power to give retrospective effect from a date not 
earlier than the date of commencement of this Act, to the Statutes or any of them, but no retrospective 
effect shall be given to any Statute so as to prejudicially affect the interests of any person to whom such 
Statute may be applicable. 

42. Ordinances.—Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes, the Ordinances may provide 

for all or any of the following matters, namely:—  

(a) the admission of students to the University and their enrolment as such;  

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(b) the courses of study to be laid down for all degrees, diplomas and certificates of the University;  

(c) the medium of instruction and examination; 

(d) the award of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions, the qualifications 

for the same and the means to be taken relating to the granting and obtaining of the same;  

(e) the fees to be charged for courses of study in the University and for admission to examinations, 

degrees and diplomas to the University;  

(f) the conditions and institution for award of fellowships, scholarships, studentships, medals and 

prizes;  

(g)  the  conduct  of  examination  including  the  term  of  office  and  manner  of  appointment  and  the 

duties of examining bodies, examiners and moderators;  

(h) the conditions of residence of the students of the University;  

(i) the special arrangements, if any, which may be made for the residence and teaching of women 

students and the specifying of special courses of studies for them;  

(j)  the  establishment  of  centres  of  studies,  boards  of  studies,  specialised  laboratories  and  other 

committees;  

(k)  the  creation,  composition  and  functions  of  any  other  body  which  is  considered  necessary  for 

improving the academic life of the University;  

(l) the setting up of machinery for redressal of grievances of employees and students; and  

(m) any other matter which by this Act or Statutes, is to be, or may be, specified in the Ordinances. 

43.  Ordinances  how  made.—(1)  Save  as  otherwise  provided  in  this  section,  Ordinances  shall  be 

made by the Academic Council.  

(2) All Ordinances made by the Academic Council shall have effect from such date as it may direct, 
but every Ordinance so made shall be submitted, as soon as may be, to the Board of Governors and shall 
be considered by the Board of Governors at its next succeeding meeting.  

(3)  The  Board  of  Governors  shall  have  power  by  resolution  to  approve,  modify  or  cancel  any  such 
Ordinance  and  such  Ordinance  shall  from  the  date  of  such  resolution  stand  modified  accordingly  or 
cancelled, as the case may be. 

CHAPTER VII 

TRIBUNAL OF ARBITRATION 

44.  Tribunal  of  Arbitration.—(1)  Every  employee  of  the  University  shall  be  appointed  under  a 
written  contract,  which  shall  be  retained  by  the  University  and  a  copy  of  which  shall  be  given  to  the 
employee concerned.  

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(2)  Any  dispute  arising  out  of  the  contract  between  the  University  and  any  employee  shall,  at  the 
request of the employee, be referred to a Tribunal of Arbitration consisting of one member appointed by 
the  Board  of  Governor,  one  member  nominated  by  the  employee  concerned  and  chaired  by  an  umpire 
appointed by the Central Government. 

(3) The decision of the Tribunal of Arbitration shall be final and no suit shall lie in any civil court in 

respect of the matters decided by the said Tribunal: 

Provided  that  nothing  in  this  sub-section  shall  preclude  the  employee  from  availing  of  the  judicial 

remedies available under articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution.  

(4) Every request made by the employee under sub-section (2) shall be deemed to be a submission to 
arbitration upon the terms of this section within the meaning of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 
(26 of 1996). 

(5)  The  procedure  for  regulating  the  work  of  the  Tribunal  of  Arbitration  shall  be  laid  down  in  the 

Statutes. 

45.  Redressal  for  debarment  from  examination  and  disciplinary  action  against  students.—  (1) 
Any  student  or  candidate  for  an  examination  whose  name  has  been  removed  from  the  rolls  of  the 
University by an order or resolution of the Vice-Chancellor and who has been debarred from appearing at 
the examinations of the University for more than one year, may, within ten days of the date of receipt of 
such  order  or  copy  of  such  resolution  by  him,  appeal  to  the  Board  of  Governors  and  the  Board  of 
Governors may confirm, modify or reverse the decision of the Vice-Chancellor, as the case may be. 

 (2) Any dispute arising out of any disciplinary action taken by the University against a student shall, 

at  the  request  of  such  student,  be  referred  to  a  Tribunal  of  Arbitration  and  the  provisions  of                    
sub-sections (2), (3), (4) and (5) of section 44 shall apply to a reference made under this sub-section. 

CHAPTER VIII 

MISCELLANEOUS 

46. Disputes as to constitution of authorities and bodies.— If any question arises as to whether any 
person has been duly elected or appointed as, or is entitled to be, a member of any authority or other body 
of the University, the matter shall be referred to the Board of Governors for decision. 

47.  Power  of  Central  Government  to  make  rules  in  respect  of  matters  relating  to  Board  of 
Governors.—(1) The  Central  Government  may,  after  previous  publication,  make  rules  to  carry  out  the 
purposes relating to the Board of Governors. 

(2)  In  particular  and  without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  power,  such  rules  may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—  

(a) the manner of filling vacancies among the members of the Board of Governors; 

(b) the disqualifications for being chosen as, and for being a member of the Board of Governors;  

(c) the circumstances in which, and the authority by which, members may be removed;  

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(d) the meetings of the Board of Governors and the procedure for conduct of business;  

(e) the travelling and other allowances payable to members of the Board of Governors; and  

(f) the manner in which functions of the Board of Governors may be exercised. 

48. Acts and proceeding not to be invalidated by vacancies, etc.—No act of the Board of Governors 

or any other body set up under this Act or the Statutes, shall be invalid merely by reason of—  

(a) any vacancy in, or defect in the constitution thereof; or  

(b) any defect in the election, nomination or appointment of a person acting as a member thereof; 

or 

 (c) any irregularity in its procedure not affecting the merits of the case.  

49. University to be a public authority under Right to Information Act.—The provisions of Right 
to Information Act, 2005 (22 of 2005) shall apply to the University, as it were a public authority defined 
in clause (h) of section 2 of that Act.  

50. Protection of action taken in good faith.—No suit or other legal proceedings shall lie against 
any officer or other employee of the University for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be 
done in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act or Statutes or Ordinances made thereunder.  

51. Power of Central Government to issue directions.— (1) The University shall, in discharge of 
its  functions  under  this  Act,  be  bound  by  such  directions  on  questions  of  policy  as  the  Central 
Government may give in writing to it from time to time.  

(2) The decision of the Central Government as to whether a question is one of policy or not shall be 

final. 

52.  Residuary  provision.—  (1)  The  Board  of  Governors  shall  have  the  authority  to  deal  with  any 

matter pertaining to the University and not specifically dealt with in this Act. 

(2) The decision of the Board of Governors on all such matters shall be final. 

53. Laying of rules, Statutes, Ordinances and notifications. – (1) Every rule, Statute or Ordinance 

made and every notification issued under this Act shall be published in the Official Gazette. 

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

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54. Power to remove difficulties.— (1) 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 
or give such directions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as appears to it to be necessary or 
expedient for removing the difficulty:  

Provided  that  no  such  order  shall  be  made  under  this  section  after  the  expiry  of  the  period  of  two 

years from the date of commencement of this Act. 

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each 

House of Parliament. 

55. Transitional provisions.— Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act and the Statutes made 

thereunder,— 

(a) the existing Director General of the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar shall be 
appointed  by  the  Central  Government  as  the  first  Vice-Chancellor  of  the  University  for  a  period  of 
three years and he shall be eligible for re-appointment for a further period of three years;  

(b) till such time the University constitutes such authorities or committees as may be required under 
the  provisions  of  this  Act,  the  existing  committee  or  Board  in  the  Gujarat  Forensic  Sciences 
University, Gandhinagar shall continue to exercise the respective roles or, as the case may be, till the 
Board of Governors determine;  

(c) the existing Director of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and 
Forensic  Sciences,  New  Delhi  shall  be  appointed  as  the  Campus  Director  for  Delhi  campus  of  the 
University till a regular Director is appointed by the University;  

(d)  the  existing  Registrar  of  the  Gujarat  Forensic  Sciences  University,  Gandhinagar  shall  be 
appointed as the first Executive Registrar of the University, or, as the case may be, till the Board of 
Governors determine.  

56. Repeal of Gujarat Act 17 of 2008.—(1) The Gujarat Forensic Sciences University Act, 2008 is 

hereby repealed.  

(2) Notwithstanding such repeal,—  

(a)  all  appointments  made,  orders  issued,  degrees  and  other  academic  distinctions  conferred, 
diplomas and certificates awarded, privileges granted, or other things done under the Gujarat Forensic 
Sciences  University  Act,  2008,  shall  be  deemed  to  have  been  respectively  made,  issued,  conferred, 
awarded,  granted  or  done  under  the  corresponding  provisions  of  this  Act  and,  except  as  otherwise 
provided by or under this Act or the Statutes, continue in force unless and until they are superseded by 
any order made under this Act or the Statutes; and 

(b) all the proceedings of selection committee or any other authority, if any, for the appointment or 
promotion of teachers and other employees that took place before the commencement of this Act and 
all actions of the concerned authorities in respect of the recommendations of such selection committee 
or  authority,  if  any,  where  no  orders  of  appointment  on  the  basis  thereof  were  passed  before  the 
commencement of this Act shall, notwithstanding that the procedure for selection has been modified 

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by  this  Act,  be  deemed  to  have  been  valid  but  further  proceeding  in  connection  with  such  pending 
selections shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of this Act and be continued from the stage 
where they stood immediately before such commencement, except if the concerned authorities take a 
decision to the contrary. 

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