THE REGIONAL CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY ACT, 2016 

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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 

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SECTIONS 

1. Short title and commencement. 

2. Definitions. 

3. Establishment and incorporation of Regional Centre for Biotechnology. 

4. Declaration of Regional Centre for Biotechnology as an institution of national importance. 

5. Effect of establishment of Regional Centre. 

6. Jurisdiction. 

7. Objectives of Regional Centre. 

8. Functions of Regional Centre. 

9. Regional Centre to work in collaboration with other institutions of UNESCO. 

10. Powers of Regional Centre. 

11. Regional Centre open to all castes, creed, race or class. 

12. Privileges and immunities of Regional Centre. 

13. Authorities of Regional Centre. 

14. Board of Governors. 

15. Powers and functions of Board. 

16. Powers and functions of Chairperson. 

17. Programme Advisory Committee. 

18. Executive Committee. 

19. Finance Committee. 

20. Other authorities of Regional Centre. 

21. Board of Studies. 

22. Officers of Regional Centre. 

23. Executive Director. 

24. Deans and Sub-Deans. 

25. Associate Director (Administration). 

26. Registrar. 

27. Finance officer. 

28. Other officers. 

29. Grants and loans to Regional Centre. 

30. Fund of Regional Centre. 

31. Annual report. 

32. Annual accounts. 

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SECTIONS 

33. Returns and information. 

34. Review of functioning of Regional Centre. 

35. Appointment and conditions of service of employees of Regional Centre. 

36. Meetings. 

37. Filling of casual vacancies. 

38. Proceedings of authorities not invalidated by vacancies.  

39. Protection of action taken in good faith. 

40. Arbitration. 

41. Power to make Statutes. 

42. Power to make Ordinances. 

43. Regulations. 

44. Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations to be published in the Official Gazette and to be laid before 

Parliament. 

45. Power to make Statutes or Ordinances or Regulations retrospectively. 

46. Power to remove difficulties. 

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THE REGIONAL CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY ACT, 2016 

ACT NO. 36 OF 2016 

[29th July, 2016.] 

An Act to provide for the establishment of an institution of national importance to be known 
as  Regional  Centre  for  Biotechnology  and  to  provide  for  matters  connected  therewith  or 
incidental thereto. 

WHEREAS  an  agreement  for  the  establishment  and  operation  of  the  Regional  Centre  for 
Biotechnology Training and Education in India was entered into between the Government of  India and 
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation on the 14th day of July, 2006; 

AND  WHEREAS  in  pursuance  of  the  said  agreement,  the  Central  Government  through  an  executive 
order  dated  the  20th  April,  2009,  established  the  Regional  Centre  for  Biotechnology  Training  and 
Education at Faridabad, Haryana; 

AND WHEREAS it is expedient to make provisions for strengthening and to make the Regional Centre 
for Biotechnology an institution of national importance for imparting education, training and conducting 
research in the areas of Biotechnology and related multi disciplinary areas. 

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:-- 

1.  Short  title  and  commencement.—(1)  This  Act  may  be  called  the  Regional  Centre  for 

Biotechnology Act, 2016. 

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

Official Gazette, appoint. 

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

(a)  “academic  staff”  means  Assistant  Professors,  Associate  Professors,  Professors,  Deans,  Sub-
Deans,  Executive  Director  and  such  other  persons,  including  Visiting  Professors,  Professors  of 
Eminence, Honorary Professors, Adjunct Professors and Emeritus Professors, as may be appointed or 
engaged  for  imparting  education,  training  or  conducting  research  in  the  Regional  Centre  for 
Biotechnology; 

(b) “Board” means the Board of Governors constituted under section 14; 

(c)  “Board  of  Studies”  means  the  Board  of  Studies  of  the  Regional  Centre  referred  to  in       

section 21; 

(d) “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Board; 

(e)  “employee”  means  any  person  appointed  by  the  Regional  Centre  and  includes  officers, 

academic and other staff of the Regional Centre; 

(f)  “Executive  Committee”  means  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Regional  Centre  constituted 

under section 18; 

(g) “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Regional Centre appointed under 

sub-section (1) of section 23; 

(h)  “existing  Regional  Centre”  means  the  Regional  Centre  for  Biotechnology  Training  and 

Education at National Capital Region, Faridabad; 

(i)  “hall”  means  a  unit  of residence,  by  whatever  name  called,  for the students  of the  Regional 

Centre, maintained or recognised by it; 

(j)  “institution”  includes  autonomous  organisations  within  or  outside  India,  for  imparting 
education,  training  and  conducting  research  in  the  areas  of  Biotechnology  and  supported  by  the 
Government of India or industry or universities or other organisations; 

1.  1st  March,  2017,  vide  notification  No.  S.O.  642  (E),  dated  28th  February,  2017,  see  Gazette  of  India,  Extraordinary,           

Part II, sec. 3(i).  

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(k)  “Ordinances”  means  the  Ordinances  framed  by  the  Programme  Advisory  Committee  under 

section 42; 

(l)  “Programme  Advisory  Committee”  means  the  Programme  Advisory  Committee  of  the 

Regional Centre constituted under section 17; 

(m) “region” means the region comprising the territories of South Asian Association for Regional 

Co-operation (SAARC) States and generally the Asia region; 

(n) “Regional Centre” means the Regional Centre for Biotechnology established under section 3; 

(o)  “Regulations”  means  the  Regulations  made  by  any  authority  of  the  Regional  Centre  under 

section 43; 

(p) “Statutes” means the Statutes framed by the Board under section 41; 

(q) “UNESCO” means the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. 

3.  Establishment  and  incorporation  of  Regional  Centre  for  Biotechnology.—(1)  The  Regional 
Centre  for  Biotechnology  Training  and  Education  at  National  Capital  Region,  Faridabad,  Haryana 
functioning  under  the  Department  of  Biotechnology,  Ministry  of  Science  and  Technology  is  hereby 
established  as  a  body  corporate  by  the  name  of  "Regional  Centre  for  Biotechnology"  having  perpetual 
succession and a common seal with power, subject to the provisions of this Act, to contract and shall, by 
the said name, sue or be sued. 

(2) The Regional Centre shall consist of a Board of Governors and authorities specified in section 13. 

(3) The  headquarters  of  the  Regional  Centre  shall  be  at its  campus  in the  National  Capital  Region, 

Faridabad. 

4.  Declaration  of  Regional  Centre  for  Biotechnology  as  an 

institution  of  national                

importance.—Whereas the objects of the institution known as the Regional Centre for Biotechnology are 
such as to make the institution one of national importance, it is hereby declared that the institution known 
as the Regional Centre for Biotechnology is an institution of national importance. 

5. Effect of establishment of Regional Centre.—(1) On and from the date of commencement of this 

Act,— 

(a)  any  reference  to  the  existing  Regional  Centre  in  any  law,  other  than  this  Act,  or  in  any 

contract or other instrument, shall be deemed as a reference to the Regional Centre; 

(b) all properties and assets, movable and immovable, of, or belonging to the existing Regional 

Centre shall vest in the Regional Centre; 

(c)  all  rights  and  liabilities  of  the  existing  Regional  Centre  shall  be  transferred  to,  and  be  the 

rights and liabilities of, the Regional Centre; 

(d) without prejudice to the provisions of clause (c), all debts, obligations and liabilities incurred, 
all contracts entered into and all matters and things engaged to be done by, with or for, the existing 
Regional Centre immediately before the said date, for or in connection with the purposes of the said 
Regional Centre shall be deemed to have incurred, entered into or engaged to be done by, with or for, 
the Regional Centre; 

(e) all sums of money due to the existing Regional Centre immediately before that date shall be 

deemed to be due to the Regional Centre; 

(f)  all  suits  and  other  legal  proceedings  instituted  or  which  could  have  been  instituted  by  or 
against  the  existing  Regional  Centre  immediately  before  that  date  may  be  continued  or  may  be 
instituted by or against the Regional Centre; 

(g)  every  employee  (including  those  appointed  for  imparting  instruction  or  giving  training  or 
conducting research in the existing Regional Centre), holding any office under the existing Regional 
Centre or teaching therein immediately before the commencement of this Act shall hold his office in 
the  Regional  Centre  or  continue  teaching  therein  by  the  same  tenure  and  upon the  same  terms  and 

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conditions of service as respects remuneration, leave, provident fund, retirement and other terminal 
benefits as he would have held such office if this Act had not been enacted and shall continue to do so 
as an employee of the Regional Centre or until the expiry of the period of six months from that date if 
such employee opts not to be the employee of the Regional Centre within such period. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything in the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947) or in any other law for 
the time being in force, absorption of any employee by the Regional Centre in its regular service under 
this section shall not entitle such employee to any compensation under that Act or any other law and no 
such claim shall be entertained by any court, tribunal or other authority. 

6. Jurisdiction.—The jurisdiction of the Regional Centre shall extend to whole of India and to such 
centres and specialised laboratories or other units for research, development  and instruction, established 
by the Regional Centre within or outside India. 

7. Objectives of Regional Centre.—The objectives of the Regional Centre shall be— 

(a) to disseminate and to advance knowledge by providing instructional and research facilities in 
such  branches  of  biotechnology  and  related  fields  as  it  may  deem  fit  including  technology  policy 
development; 

(b)  to  provide  capacity-building  through  education,  training,  research  and  development  in 
biotechnology  and  related  academic  fields  for  sustainable  development  objectives  through  regional 
and international cooperation; 

(c)  to  facilitate  transfer  of  knowledge  and  technology  relating  to  biotechnology  at  the  regional 

level; 

(d)  to  create  a  hub  of  biotechnology  expertise  and  to  address  human  resources  needs  in  the 

countries in the region; 

(e)  to  promote  and  strengthen  international  co-operation  to  improve  the  social  and  economic 

conditions and welfare of the people; 

(f) to promote and facilitate a network of satellite centres in the region as well as within India. 

8. Functions of Regional Centre.—The functions of the Regional Centre, shall be— 

(a)  to  establish  infrastructure  and  technology  platforms  which  are  directly  relevant  to 

biotechnology education, training and research; 

(b)  to  execute  educational  and  training  activities  including  grant  of  degrees  in  education  and 

research in biotechnology and related fields; 

(c) to produce human resource tailored to drive innovation in biotechnology, particularly in areas 

of new opportunities and to fill talent gap in deficient areas; 

(d)  to  undertake  research  and  development  and  scientific  investigations  in  collaboration  with 

relevant research centre’s in the region; 

(e) to hold scientific symposia and conferences within India or in the region or outside the region 
and  to  conduct  short-term  and  long-term  training  courses  and  workshops  in  all  areas  of 
biotechnology; 

(f)  to  collect  universally  available  information  with  a  view  to  setting  up  data  banks  for  bio-

information; 

(g) to collect and disseminate, through  networking, the relevant local knowledge in the field of 

biotechnology, ensuring protection of intellectual property rights of local stakeholder communities; 

(h) to develop and implement a policy for intellectual property rights which is equitable and just 

to the stakeholders involved in research in the Regional Centre; 

(i) to disseminate the outcome of research activities in different countries through the publication 

of books and articles; 

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(j) to promote collaborative research and development networking programme in specific areas of 
biotechnology with national, regional and international networks and promote exchange of scientists, 
at the regional level having regard to issues pertaining to intellectual property rights of collaborating 
institutions promoting equitable sharing of benefits with collaborating institutions. 

9. Regional Centre to work in collaboration with other institutions of UNESCO.—The Regional 
Centre  shall  pursue  its  objects  and  discharge  its  functions  in  close  collaboration  with  other  national, 
regional and international institutions of the UNESCO. 

10.  Powers  of  Regional  Centre.—(1)  The  Regional  Centre  shall  have  the  following  powers, 

namely:— 

(a) to provide for masters degree (including integrated programmes leading to masters degree), 
post-graduate diploma and doctoral degrees in biotechnology and related subjects at the interface of 
varied disciplines including physical, chemical, biological, medical, agricultural and engineering and 
other relevant sciences, as may be determined by the Regional Centre, from time to time; 

(b) to provide for short-term and long-term training courses in biotechnology on specific issues 
related  to  the  development,  extension,  implementation  and  regulation  of  biotechnology  and  related 
areas, as may be specified by Statutes, from time to time; 

(c)  to  organise  and  undertake  extramural  studies,  training  and  extension  services  in 

biotechnology; 

(d)  to  confer  honorary  degrees  or  other  academic  distinctions  referred  to  in  clause  (a),  in  the 

manner specified by the Statutes; 

(e)  to  institute  Professorships,  Associate  Professorships,  Assistant  Professorships  and  other 
academic  positions  required  by  the  Regional  Centre and  to  appoint  persons  to such  Professorships, 
Associate Professorships, Assistant Professorships or other academic positions; 

(f) to recognise an institution of higher learning within India for the purposes of this Act and to 

withdraw such recognition in accordance with the norms laid down in the Statutes; 

(g)  to  appoint  persons  working  in  any  other  institution,  including  those  located  outside  the 
country, as academic staff of the Regional Centre for such period as may be specified by the Statutes; 

(h) to create administrative, technical and other posts and to make appointments thereto, as may 

be specified by Statutes; 

(i) to co-operate or collaborate or associate with any institution, including those located outside 
the  country,  in  such  manner  as  may  be  specified  and  for  such  purposes  as  may  be  determined  or 
agreed upon by the Regional Centre; 

(j)  to  establish  and  maintain  centres  and  specialised  laboratories  or  other  units  for  research, 
development and instruction in India or outside India, as may be determined by the Statutes from time 
to time; 

(k)  to  institute  and  award  fellowships,  scholarships,  studentships,  medals  and  prizes  as  may  be 

specified by the Statutes; 

(l) to make provision for research and advisory services and for that purpose to enter into such 
agreements  with other  institutions, industrial  or  other  organisations, including  those located  outside 
the country as may be specified by the Statutes; 

(m)  to  organise  and  conduct  refresher  courses,  workshops,  seminars  and  other  programmes  for 

teachers, evaluators and other stakeholders; 

(n)  to  appoint  visiting  Professors,  Professors  of  Eminence,  Honorary  Professors,  Adjunct 
Professors,  Emeritus  Professors,  Consultants  and  such  other  persons  who  may  contribute  to  the 
advancement and objects of the Regional Centre; 

(o)  to  determine  standards  of  admission  to  the  Regional  Centre,  including  examination, 

evaluation or any other method of testing; 

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(p) to fix, demand and receive payment of fees and other charges; 

(q) to establish, recognise, maintain and manage halls or residences of students of the Regional 

Centre and other accommodation for students and to withdraw any such recognition; 

(r)  to  lay  down  conditions  of  service  of  all  categories  of  employees,  including  their  code  of 

conduct; 

(s)  to  regulate  and  enforce  discipline  among  the  students  and  the  employees,  and  to  take  such 

disciplinary measures in this regard as may be deemed by the Regional Centre to be necessary; 

(t)  to  make  arrangements  for  promoting  the  health  and  general  welfare  of  the  students  and 

employees of the Regional Centre; 

(u) to receive benefactions, donations and gifts and to acquire, hold and manage, and dispose of, 
with the prior approval of the Central Government, any property, movable or immovable, including 
trust and endowment properties, for the purposes or objectives of the Regional Centre; 

(v) to borrow money,  with the prior approval of the Central Government on the security of the 

property of the Regional Centre; and 

(w) to do all such other acts and things as may be necessary in furtherance of the objects specified 

in section 7. 

(2) In exercising its powers under sub-section (1), it shall be the endeavour of the Regional Centre to 
maintain high standards of education, training and research and the Regional Centre shall, among other 
measures  which  may  be  necessary  for  the  said  purpose,  take,  in  particular,  the  following  measures, 
namely:— 

(a) conduct innovative courses and programmes of studies with a provision for periodic review 

and restructuring; and 

(b) promote e-governance with an effective management information system. 

11.  Regional  Centre  open  to  all  castes,  creed,  race  or  class.—The  Regional  Centre  or  any 
institution  recognised  by  it  shall  be  open  to  persons  of  either  sex  and  whatever  caste,  creed,  race, 
ethnicity,  nationality  or  class,  and  it  shall  not  be  lawful  for  the  Regional  Centre  or  such  institution  to 
adopt or impose on any person, any test whatsoever of religious belief or profession in order to entitle him 
to be appointed as a member of the academic staff of the Regional Centre or such institution or to hold 
any  other  office  therein  or  to  be  admitted  as  a  student  in  the  Regional  Centre  or  such  institution  or  to 
enjoy or exercise any privilege thereof. 

12. Privileges and immunities of Regional Centre.—The Regional Centre or persons attending the 
meetings of the Regional Centre shall enjoy such privileges and immunities as the Central Government 
may grant, pursuant to agreement entered into between the UNESCO and the Government of India from 
time to time concerning the Regional Centre. 

13. Authorities of Regional Centre.—The following shall be the authorities of the Regional Centre, 

namely:— 

(i) the Board of Governors; 

(ii) the Programme Advisory Committee; 

(iii) the Executive Committee; 

(iv) the Finance Committee; 

(v) the Board of Studies; and 

(vi) such other authorities as may be declared by the Statutes to be the authorities of the Regional 

Centre. 

14. Board of Governors.—(1) There shall be a Board of Governors which shall be responsible for 

the governance of the Regional Centre. 

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(2)  The  Board  shall  be  the  apex  body  of  the  Regional  Centre  and  shall  consist  of  the  following 

members, namely:— 

(a) Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Science and Technology, Department 

of Biotechnology—ex officio Chairperson; 

(b)  three  eminent  scientists  in  the  relevant  field  not  below  the  rank  of  Joint  Secretary  to  the 
Government of India or equivalent, out of whom at least one shall be a woman, to be nominated by 
the Central Government—ex officio members; 

(c) a representative of the Director-General of UNESCO; 

(d)  two  representatives  from  amongst  the  other  member  States  of  UNESCO,  who  substantially 
contribute resources to the running of the Regional Centre, in such manner as may be specified by the 
Statutes—members. 

(3)  The  Chairperson  of  the  Programme  Advisory  Committee  shall  be  a  permanent  invitee  of  the 

Board. 

(4)  The  Executive  Director  of  the  Regional  Centre  shall  be  the  Convenor  of  the  meetings  of  the 

Board. 

(5) The Chairperson shall ordinarily preside over the meetings of the Board. 

(6) The Board shall meet at least once in a year and at such times as the Chairperson may decide in 

such manner as may be specified by the Statutes. 

(7) The term of office of the members of the Board, other than ex officio members, shall be such as 

may be specified by the Statutes. 

(8)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act  and  the  Statutes  and  the  Ordinances  made  thereunder,  the 
Board  may  regulate  its  own  procedure  (including  quorum)  for  the  conduct  of  meetings  and  transacting 
business. 

15. Powers and functions of Board.—Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board shall have the 

following powers and functions, namely:— 

(a) to approve the annual plan and budget of the Regional Centre; 

(b) to review, from time to time, the broad policies and programmes of the Regional Centre, and 

to suggest measures for the improvement and development of the Regional Centre; 

(c)  to  consider  the  annual  report  and  the  annual  accounts  of  the  Regional  Centre  and  the  audit 

report on such accounts; 

(d)  to  study  and  approve  the  internal  procedures,  including  financial  procedure  and  staff 

regulations of the Regional Centre; 

(e) to approve the organisational structure and number of academic staff and other employees at 

the Regional Centre; 

(f) to convene special consultative sessions of its members, to which it may invite representatives 
of  other  interested  countries  and  international  organisations  in  order  to  obtain  proposals  for 
strengthening the scope of services of the Regional Centre; 

(g) to carry out projects and activities relevant to the Regional Centre, and to expand the fund-

raising strategy and capabilities; and 

(h) to frame the Statutes. 

16.  Powers  and  functions  of  Chairperson.—(1)  The  Chairperson  shall  exercise  such  powers  and 
discharge such functions as may be delegated to him by the Board or as may be specified by the Statutes. 

(2) If for any reason, the Chairperson is unable to attend any meeting of the Board, any member of 

the Board nominated by the Chairperson shall preside over the meeting. 

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17.  Programme  Advisory  Committee.—(1)  The  Programme  Advisory  Committee  shall  be  the 
principal academic  body  of  the  Regional  Centre  and shall, subject  to  the  provisions of this  Act,  advice 
planning, execution, review and monitoring of the scientific and academic programmes of the Regional 
Centre. 

(2) The Programme Advisory Committee shall consist of the following members, namely:— 

(a) a Chairperson of the Programme Advisory Committee to be nominated by the Board; 

(b) two members to be nominated by the UNESCO; 

(c)  three  members  to  be  nominated  by  rotation,  from  amongst  the  member  States  of  UNESCO 

which provide maximum financial assistance; 

(d) two members having expertise and experience in biotechnology policy and legal matters to be 

nominated by the Central Government; 

(e)  six  members  from  amongst  the  persons  being  renowned  scientist  or  academician,  to  be 

nominated by the Board. 

(3)  The  Executive  Director  shall  be  the  Member-Secretary,  ex  officio,  to  the  Programme  Advisory 

Committee. 

(4) The Programme Advisory Committee shall be responsible for— 

(a) making recommendations on matters of planning and coordinating of the education, training 

and research activities; 

(b) recommending  modifications or revision of education, training and research programmes of 

the Regional Centre and submitting reports thereon; 

(c)  reviewing  annually  the  programmes  of  the  Regional  Centre,  evaluating  its  progress  and 

submitting the reports thereon; 

(d) publishing reports on any matter concerning scientific and technical issues referred to it by the 

Board or by the Executive Director; 

(e)  performing  all  such  duties  and  to  do  all  such  acts  as  may  be  necessary  for  furtherance  of 

education, training and research under this Act; 

(f) framing the Ordinances; and 

(g) performing such other functions as may be specified by the Statutes. 

(5) The  fees and  allowances  payable  to  members  of the  Programme  Advisory  Committee  and their 

term of office shall be such as may be specified by the Statutes. 

(6)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act  and  the  Statutes  and  Ordinances  made  thereunder,  the 
Programme Advisory Committee may regulate its own procedure (including quorum) for the conduct of 
meetings and transacting of its business: 

Provided that the Programme Advisory Committee shall place the minutes of its meetings before the 

Board of Governors. 

18. Executive Committee.—(1) The Executive Committee shall be responsible for management of 

the Regional Centre and implementation of policies and decisions of the Board relating to management. 

(2) The constitution, powers and functions of the Executive Committee and the term of office of its 

members shall be such as may be specified by the Statutes. 

19.  Finance  Committee.—(1)  The  Finance  Committee  shall  review  finances,  consider  the  annual 
budget estimates, the statements of accounts and the audit reports and make recommendations thereon, to 
the Board. 

(2)  The  constitution,  powers  and  functions  of  the  Finance  Committee  and  the  term  of  office  of  its 

members shall be such as may be specified by the Statutes. 

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20.  Other  authorities  of  Regional  Centre.—The  constitution,  powers  and  functions  of  other 
authorities referred to in clause (vi) of section 13, and the term of office of its members shall be such as 
may be specified by the Statutes. 

21. Board of Studies.—The constitution, powers and functions of the Board of Studies and the term 

of office of its members shall be such as may be specified by the Statutes. 

22.  Officers  of  Regional  Centre.—The  following  shall  be  the  officers  of  the  Regional  Centre, 

namely:— 

(i) Executive Director; 

(ii) Deans; 

(iii) Sub-Deans; 

(iv) Associate Director (Administration); 

(v) Registrar; 

(vi) Finance Officer; and 

(vii)  such  other  officers  as  may  be  declared  by  the  Statutes  to  be  the  officers  of  the  Regional 

Centre. 

23. Executive Director.—(1) The Executive Director shall be appointed on the recommendation of 
the  Board  in  such  manner  and  on  such  terms  and  conditions  of  service,  as  may  be  specified  by  the 
Statutes. 

(2) The Executive Director shall— 

(a) be the principal executive and academic officer of the Regional Centre; 

(b)  direct  the  work  of  the  Regional  Centre  in  conformity  with  the  programmes  and  directives 

established by the Board; 

(c) propose the draft work plan and budget to be submitted to the Board; 

(d) prepare the agenda for the sessions of the Board; 

(e) prepare reports on the Regional Centre's activities for submission to the Board; and 

(f)  exercise  such  other  powers  and  perform  such  other  functions  as  may  be  specified  by  the 

Statutes. 

(3) The financial powers delegated to the Executive Director by the Board shall be such as may be 

specified by the Statutes. 

(4)  The  Executive  Director  may,  if  he  is  of  the  opinion  that  immediate  action  is  necessary  on  any 
matter, exercise any power conferred on any authority of the Regional Centre by or under this Act and 
shall report to such authority at its next meeting the action taken by him on such matter. 

24. Deans and Sub-Deans.—The Deans and Sub-Deans shall be appointed in such manner and on 
such terms and conditions of service, and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as may be 
specified by the Statutes. 

25.  Associate  Director  (Administration).—(1)  The  Associate  Director  (Administration)  shall  be 
appointed  in  such  manner,  and  on  such  terms  and  conditions  of  service,  as  may  be  specified  by  the 
Statutes. 

(2)  The  Associate  Director  (Administration)  shall  have  the  power  to  enter  into  agreements,  sign 
documents and authenticate records on behalf of the Regional Centre and shall exercise such powers and 
perform such duties, as may be specified by the Statutes. 

26. Registrar.—The Registrar shall be appointed in such manner and on such terms and conditions of 

service and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as may be specified by the Statutes. 

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27. Finance officer.—The Finance officer shall be appointed in such manner and on such terms and 
conditions of service and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as may be specified by the 
Statutes. 

28. Other officers.—The manner of appointment and powers and duties and terms and conditions of 
service of other officers of the Regional Centre, referred to in clause (vii) of section 22, shall be such as 
may be specified by the Statutes. 

29. Grants and loans to Regional Centre.—The Central Government may, after due appropriation 
made by Parliament by law, in this behalf, make to the Regional Centre grants and loans of such sums of 
money  and  in  such  manner  as  that  Government  may  consider  necessary  for  being  utilised  for  the 
fulfilment of the objects and purposes of this Act. 

30.  Fund  of  Regional  Centre.—(1)  The  Regional  Centre  shall  maintain  a  Fund  to  which  shall  be 

credited— 

(a) all moneys provided by the Central Government; 

(b) all fees and other charges received by the Regional Centre; 

(c) all moneys received by the Regional Centre by way of grants, gifts, donations, benefactions, 

bequests or transfers; and 

(d) all moneys received by the Regional Centre in any other manner or from any other source. 

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

the Regional Centre may, with the approval of the Central Government, decide. 

(3) The fund shall be applied for meeting— 

(a) the fees and allowances payable to the Chairperson and members of the Board or Chairperson 
of  the  Programme  Advisory  Committee  and  members  of  the  other  committees  and  the  salaries, 
allowances  and  other remunerations  payable to  the  academic  staff,  officers  and other  employees  of 
the Regional Centre; 

(b) the expenses of the Regional Centre in the discharge of its functions and for the fulfilment of 

its objects and for purposes as envisaged under this Act. 

31.  Annual  report.—(1)  The  annual  report  of  the  Regional  Centre  shall  be  prepared  under  the 
directions  of  the  Executive  Director,  which  shall  include,  among  other  matters,  the  steps  taken  by  the 
Regional Centre towards the fulfilment of its objectives and shall be submitted to the Board on or before 
such  date  as  may  be  specified  by  the  Statutes  and  the  Board  shall  consider  the  report  in  its  annual 
meeting. 

(2) A copy of the annual report, as prepared under sub-section (1), shall be submitted to the Central 
Government, which shall, as soon as may be, cause the same to be laid before both Houses of Parliament. 

32. Annual accounts.—(1) The annual accounts and the balance sheet of the Regional Centre  shall 
be prepared under the directions of the Board and shall, once at least every year, and at intervals of not 
more than fifteen months, be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. 

(2)  A  copy  of  the  accounts  together  with  the  audit  report  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Central 

Government along with the observations, if any, of the Board. 

(3) A copy of the annual report and annual accounts together with the audit report, shall be submitted 
to the Central Government which shall, as soon as may be, cause the same to be laid before each House of 
Parliament. 

(4) The  audited  annual accounts,  after  having  been laid  before  both  Houses  of Parliament, shall  be 

published in the Official Gazette. 

33. Returns and information.—The Regional Centre shall furnish to the Central Government such 
returns or other information with respect to its property or activities as the Central Government may, from 
time to time, require, within such period as may be specified by the Central Government. 

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34. Review of functioning of Regional Centre.—(1) There shall be a review of the functioning of 
the  Regional  Centre  once  in  every  four  years  by  persons  of  eminence  to  be  appointed  by  the  Central 
Government. 

(2) The Regional Centre shall meet the expenses for conducting the review under sub-section (1) and 

upon receipt of the report of such review, the Board may take appropriate action. 

(3) In addition to the review under sub-section (1), the Board may conduct review of functioning of 
administrative and academic wings of the Regional Centre, in such manner and at such intervals, as may 
be specified by the Statutes. 

35.  Appointment  and  conditions  of  service  of  employees  of  Regional  Centre.—(1)  All 
appointments of employees of the Regional Centre shall be made in accordance with the procedure laid 
down in the Statutes, by— 

(a) the Board of Governors for the Executive Director, Deans and Sub-Deans; 

(b) the Executive Director, in any other case. 

(2)  The  terms  and  conditions  of  service  of  the  employees  of  the  Regional  Centre,  other  than  the 

officers referred to in clause (vii) of section 22, shall be such as may be specified by the Statutes. 

(3)  The  terms  and  conditions  of  service  of  the  academic  staff  shall  be  consistent  with  such  staff 

engaged in higher education and research at Central Universities. 

36. Meetings.—The meetings of the Board, Programme Advisory Committee, Executive Committee 
or  other  committees  constituted  by  the  Regional  Centre  may  be  held  using  contemporary  tools  of 
information  and  communication  technologies  (including  video  conferencing)  without  the  members 
necessarily having to be physically present. 

37.  Filling  of  casual  vacancies.—All  casual  vacancies  among  the  members  (other  than  ex  officio 
members) of the authorities under section 13 shall be filled, as soon as may be, by the person or body who 
appoints, elects or co-opts 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 for the residue of the term for which 
the person whose place he fills would have been a member. 

38.  Proceedings  of  authorities  not  invalidated  by  vacancies.—No  act  or  proceedings  of  any 
authority  of  the  Regional  Centre  shall  be  invalid  merely  by  reason  of  the  existence  of  a  vacancy  or 
vacancies among its members. 

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

40. Arbitration.—Any dispute arising between the Regional Centre and any of its employees shall, 
at the first instance, be resolved through such grievance redressal mechanism as may be specified by the 
Statutes. 

41. Power to make Statutes.—(1) The Statutes of the Regional Centre shall be framed by the Board 

of Governors. 

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-section (1), the Executive Committee may 

make recommendations for framing of Statutes to the Board. 

(3)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  the  Statutes  may  provide  for  all  or  any  of  the  following 

matters, namely:— 

(a) to provide for short-term and long-term training courses in biotechnology on specific issues 
related  to  the  development,  extension,  implementation  and  regulation  of  biotechnology  and  related 
areas, from time to time under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 10; 

(b)  the  manner  of  conferring  honorary  degrees  or  other  distinctions  under  clause  (d)  of                    

sub-section (1) of section 10; 

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(c) the norms for recognition of an institution of higher learning within India and to withdraw such 

recognition under clause (f) of sub-section (1) of section 10; 

(d)  period  for  appointment  of  persons  working  in  any  other  institution,  including  those  located 
outside  the  country,  as  academic  staff  of  the  Regional  Centre  under  clause  (g)  of  sub-section  (1)  of 
section 10; 

(e)  to  create  administrative,  technical  and  other  posts  under  clause  (h)  of  sub-section  (1)  of              

section 10; 

(f)  the  manner  and  purposes  of  co-operation  or  collaboration  or  association  with  any  institution, 

including those located outside the country, under clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 10; 

(g)  to  establish  and  maintain  centres  and  specialised  laboratories  or  other  units  for  research, 

development and instruction in India or outside India, clause (j) of sub-section (1) of section 10; 

(h)  to  institute  and  award  fellowships,  scholarships,  studentships,  medals  and  prizes,  under            

clause (k) of sub-section (1) of section 10; 

(i) the manner of entering into agreements with other institutions, industrial or other organisations, 

including  those  located  outside  the  country,  for  research  and  advisory  services  under  clause  (l)  of             
sub-section (1) of section 10; 

(j)  to  declare  other  authorities  to  be  the  authorities  of  the  Regional  Centre  under  clause  (vi)  of 

section 13; 

(k)  the  manner  of  appointment  of representatives  from  amongst  the  member  States  of  UNESCO, 

under clause (d) of sub-section (2) of section 14; 

(l) the time and manner in which the Board shall meet under sub-section (5) of section 14; 

(m) the term of office of the members of the Board, under sub-section (6) of section 14; 

(n) such other powers and functions of the Chairperson under sub-section (1) of section 16; 

(o) such other functions of the Programme Advisory Committee under clause (g) of sub-section (4) 

of section 17; 

(p) the fees and allowances payable to members of the Programme Advisory Committee and their 

term of office under sub-section (5) of section 17; 

(q)  the  constitution,  powers  and  functions  and  the  term  of  office  of  members  of  the  Executive 

Committee under sub-section (2) of section 18; 

(r) the constitution, powers and functions and term of office of members of the Finance Committee 

under sub-section (2) of section 19; 

(s) the constitution, powers and functions and term of office of members of other authorities under 

section 20; 

(t) the constitution, powers and functions and term of office of members of the Board of Studies 

under section 21; 

(u) the other officers as may be declared to be the officers of the Regional Centre under clause (vii) 

of section 22; 

(v) the manner of appointment and terms and conditions of service of the Executive Director under 

sub-section (1) of section 23; 

(w) the other powers and functions of the Executive Director under clause (f) of sub-section (2) of 

section 23; 

(x)  the  financial  powers  to  be  delegated  to  the  Executive  Director  by  the  Board  under                     

sub-section (3) of section 23; 

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(y) the manner of appointment, terms and conditions of service and powers and duties of the Deans 

and Sub-Deans under section 24; 

(z)  the  manner  of  appointment  and  terms  and  conditions  of  service  of  the  Associate  Director 

(Administration)  under  sub-section  (1)  and  powers  and  duties  to  be  performed  by  him  under               
sub-section (2) of section 25; 

(za)  the  manner  of  appointment,  terms  and  conditions  of  service  and  powers  and  duties  of  the 

Registrar under section 26; 

(zb)  the  manner  of  appointment,  terms  and  conditions  of  service  and  powers  and  duties  of  the 

Finance officer under section 27; 

(zc) the manner of appointment, powers and duties and terms and conditions of service of other 

officers of the Regional Centre under section 28; 

(zd)  the  time  for  submission  of  the  annual  report  of  the  Regional  Centre  to  the  Board  under            

sub-section (1) of section 31; 

(ze)  the  manner  and  frequency  of  conducting  review  of  the  functioning  of  administrative  and 

academic wings of the Regional Centre by the Board under sub-section (3) of section 34; 

(zf) the procedure for appointment of employees of the Regional Centre under sub-section (1) and 

their terms and conditions of service under sub-section (2) of section 35; 

(zg) the  grievance  redressal  mechanism  for  resolution  of  disputes  arising  between  the  Regional 

Centre and any of its employees under section 40; 

(zh) the manner of making regulations by the authorities of the Regional Centre under section 43; 

and 

(zi) any other matter which may be required or necessary for the purposes of this Act. 

42. Power to make Ordinances.—(1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the Ordinances of the 

Regional Centre shall be made by the Programme Advisory Committee. 

(2)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act  and  the  Statutes  made  thereunder,  the  Ordinances  of  the 

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

(a) admission of students from within India and from the region to the Regional Centre and their 

enrolment as such; 

(b) the course of study; 

(c)  the  conditions  under  which  students  shall  be  admitted  to  the  examinations  of  the  Regional 

Centre and shall be eligible for degrees, diplomas and certificates; 

(d) the conditions for award of fellowships, scholarships, medals and prizes; 

(e) the conditions and manner of appointment, term and duties of examining bodies, examiners 

and moderators; 

(f) the conduct of examinations; 

(g) the conditions of residence of students of the Regional Centre; 

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

(i) the courses of study to be laid down for all degrees, diplomas and certificates of the Regional 

Centre including the medium of instruction and examination; 

(j)  the  award  of  degrees  and  other  academic  distinctions,  and  the  manner  of  granting  and 

obtaining of the same; 

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

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(l)  the  fees  to  be  charged  for  courses  of  study  and  for  admission  to  examinations,  degrees  and 

diplomas of the Regional Centre; 

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

women students and prescribing of special courses of studies for them; 

(n)  the  establishment,  management,  recognition  and  abolition  of  centres  of  studies,  schools, 

departments, specialised laboratories, halls and institutions; and 

(o) any other matter which by this Act or the Statutes, is to be, or may be, provided for by the 

Ordinances. 

43. Regulations.—The authorities of the Regional Centre may make Regulations, consistent with the 
provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances for the conduct of their own business and that of 
the  Committees,  if  any,  appointed  by  them  and  not  provided  for  by  this  Act,  the  Statutes  or  the 
Ordinances, in the manner specified by the Statutes. 

44. Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations to be published in the Official Gazette and to be laid 
before Parliament.—(1) Every Statute, Ordinance or Regulation made under this Act shall be published 
in the Official Gazette. 

(2) Every Statute or Ordinance or Regulation made 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 Statute or Ordinance or Regulation or both Houses agree that the Statute 
or Ordinance or Regulation should not be made, the Statute or Ordinance or Regulation 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 Statute or Ordinance or Regulation. 

45. Power to make Statutes or Ordinances or Regulations retrospectively.—The power to make 
Statutes or Ordinances or Regulations under section 41 or section 42 or section 43, as the case may be, 
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  Ordinances  or  Regulations  or  any  of  them  but  no 
retrospective  effect  shall  be  given  to  any  Statutes  or  Ordinances  or  Regulations  so  as  to  prejudicially 
affect the interests of any person to whom such Statutes or Ordinances or Regulations may be applicable. 

46. 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, 
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 two years from the 

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. 

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