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- Central
- Enactment date
- 2025-04-03
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- 53
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05-04-2025
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The “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University Act, 2025
(ACT NO. 11 OF 2025)
[As on the July, 2025]
2
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED
G.S.R. . . . . . for General Statutory Rules.
S.O. . . . . . ,, Statutory Order.
Notifn. . . . . . ,, Notification.
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THE “TRIBHUVAN” SAHKARI UNIVERSITY ACT, 2025
_______
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
______
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
SECTIONS
1. Short title and commencement.
2. Declaration of “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University as institution of national importance.
3. Definitions.
CHAPTER II
“TRIBHUVAN” SAHKARI UNIVERSITY
4. Establishment and incorporation of “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University.
5. Effect of establishment of University.
6. Objects of University.
7. Powers and functions of University.
8. University to be open to all caste, creed, race or class.
9. Power of Central Government to review and issue directions.
10. Chancellor.
CHAPTER III
OFFICERS OF UNIVERSITY AND INSTITUTE OF RURAL MANAGEMENT ANAND SCHOOL
11. Officers of University and Institute of Rural Management Anand School.
12. Vice-Chancellor.
13. Registrar.
14. Finance Officer.
15. Director of Institute of Rural Management Anand School.
16. Dean.
17. Controller of Examinations.
18. Librarian.
19. Other officers.
CHAPTER IV
AUTHORITIES OF UNIVERSITY AND INSTITUTE OF RURAL MANAGEMENT ANAND SCHOOL
20. Authorities of University and Institute of Rural Management Anand School.
21. Governing Board.
22. Executive Council.
23. Academic and Research Council.
24. Executive Board of Institute of Rural Management Anand School.
25. Capacity Building Council.
26. Assessment and Improvement Council.
27. Research and Development Council.
28. Board for Affiliation and Recognition.
29. Finance Committee.
30. Board of Co-operative Studies.
31. Other authorities of University.
32. Meetings of authorities.
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CHAPTER V
STATUTES, ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS
SECTIONS
33. Statutes.
34. Power to make Statutes.
35. Ordinances.
36. Power to make Ordinances.
37. Regulations.
CHAPTER VI
ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
38. Annual report.
39. Annual accounts.
40. Fund of University.
CHAPTER VII
MISCELLANEOUS
41. Conditions of service of employees, etc.
42. Right to appeal.
43. Provident and pension funds.
44. Returns and information.
45. Acts and proceedings not invalidated by vacancies.
46. University and Institute of Rural Management Anand School to be public authority under
Right to Information Act.
47. Protection of action taken in good faith.
48. Act to have overriding effect.
49. Mode of proof of University record.
50. Statutes to be laid before Parliament.
51. Residuary provision.
52. Power to remove difficulties.
53. Transitional provisions.
THE FIRST SCHEDULE.
THE SECOND SCHEDULE.
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THE “TRIBHUVAN” SAHKARI UNIVERSITY ACT, 2025
ACT NO. 11 OF 2025
[3rd April, 2025.]
An Act to establish the Institute of Rural Management Anand, as a University to be known as
the “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University and to declare the same as an institution of national
importance; to impart technical and management education and training in co-operative
sector; to promote co-operative research and development and to attain standards of global
excellence therein in order to realise the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” and to strengthen
the co-operative movementin the country through a network of institutions, and also to
declare the Institute as one of the Schools of the University and for matters connected
therewith or incidental thereto.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows: —
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title andcommencement.—(1) This Act may be called the “Tribhuvan” Sahkari
University Act, 2025.
(2) It shall come into force on such date1 as the Central Government may, bynotification in the
Official Gazette, appoint:
Provided that different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and any
reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to
the coming into force of that provision.
2. Declaration of “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University as institution of national importance.—
Whereas the objects of the “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University are such as to make it an institution of
national importance, it is hereby declared that the “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University is an institution of
national *importance.
3. Definitions.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,––
(a) “Academic and Research Council” means the Academic and Research Council of the
University;
(b) “academic staff” means such categories of staff designated as academic staff by the
Ordinances;
(c) “appointed day” means the date of establishment of the University under sub section (1) of
section 4;
(d) “Assessment and Improvement Council” means the Assessment and Improvement Council
of the University;
(e) “Board for Affiliation and Recognition” means the Board for Affiliation and Recognition
of the University;
(f) “Board of Co-operative Studies” means the Board of Co-operative Studies of a School of
the University;
(g) “Capacity Building Council” means the Capacity Building Council of the University;
1. 5th day of April, 2025, vide notification No. S.O. 1619 (E), dated 4th day of April, 2025, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary,
Part II, sec. 3 (ii).
* CORRIGENDUM dated 3rd April, 2025.
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(h) “Chancellor” means the Chancellor of the University;
(i) “co-operative principles” means the co-operative principles provided in the First Schedule
of the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002);
(j) “co-operative societies” means all co-operative societies registered under Co-operative
Societies Acts of the respective States, Union territories with Legislature and without Legislature
and the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002);
(k) “Dean” means the Head of a School or Head of an administrative Department of the
University;
(l) “Director” means the Director of the Institute of Rural Management Anand School;
(m) “employee” means any person appointed by the University and includes the teachers and
other staff of the University;
(n) “Executive Board” means the Executive Board of the Institute of Rural Management Anand
School;
(o) “Executive Council” means the Executive Council of the University;
(p) “Finance Committee” means the Finance Committee of the University;
(q) “Fund” means the University Fund referred to in section 40;
(r) “Governing Board” means the Governing Board of the University;
(s) “hostel” means a unit of residence for the students of the University or School, as the case
may be;
(t) “Institute” means an academic institution including a college admitted to or affiliated to the
privileges of the University and the expression “Institution” shall be construed accordingly;
(u) “Institute of Rural Management Anand” means the Institute of Rural Management Anand
established and incorporated under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and located in Anand,
Gujarat;
(v) “Institute of Rural Management Anand School” means one of the Schools of the
University;
(w) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette and the expression
“notified” with its cognate meanings and grammatical variations shall be construed accordingly;
(x) “outlying campus” means the campus of the University as may be established by it at any
place in or outside India;
(y) “Registrar” means the Registrar of the University;
(z) “Research and Development Council” means the Research and Development Council of the
University;
(za) “Schedule” means the Schedules appended to this Act;
(zb) “School” means a School established by the University in each sector where degree,
diploma and certificate are awarded by the University;
(zc) “Statutes”, “Ordinances” and “Regulations” mean respectively, the Statutes, the
Ordinances and the Regulations of the University made under this Act;
(zd) “Teachers of the University” means the Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant
Professors and such other persons as may be appointed for imparting instructions, training or
conducting research in the University or in any outlying campus maintained by the University;
(ze) “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University’ means the “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University established
and incorporated as a University under this Act;
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(zf) “University” means the “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University established and incorporated as a
University under this Act;
(zg) “Vice-Chancellor” means the Vice-Chancellor of the University.
(2) The words and expressions used herein and not defined, but defined in the Multi-State Co-
operative Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002) shall have the respectively meanings assigned to them
in that Act.
CHAPTER II
“TRIBHUVAN” SAHKARI UNIVERSITY
4. Establishment and incorporation of “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University.—(1) With effect
from such date as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint, the Institute of Rural
Management Anand shall be established as a University to be known as the “Tribhuvan” Sahkari
University, which shall be a body corporate, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with
power, subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire, hold property, both movable and immovable,
and to contract and shall, by the said name sue or be sued.
(2) The headquarters of the University shall be at Anand in the State of Gujarat and the University
may establish Schools or outlying campuses or affiliate institutes at such other places in India as it may
deem fit:
Provided that the University may, with the prior approval of the Central Government, also establish
or maintain outlying campuses or affiliate institutes outside India.
(3) The Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the members of the Governing Board, the Executive
Council, the Academic and Research Council, the Capacity Building Council, the Assessment and
Improvement Council, the Research and Development Council and other authorities shall constitute the
University.
5. Effect of establishment of University.—(1) On and from the date of commencement of this
Act,––
(a) the Institute of Rural Management Anand registered as a society under the Societies
Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860) stands dissolved;
(b) any reference to the Institute of Rural Management Anand in any contract or other
instrument shall be deemed as a reference to the University;
(c) all property or assets, movable and immovable, of or belonging to the Institute of Rural
Management Anand shall vest in the University;
(d) all rights and liabilities of the Institute of Rural Management An and shall be transferred to,
and be the rights and liabilities of the University;
(e) the identity and autonomy of the Institute of Rural Management An and School and its rights
and privileges shall be continued:
Provided that the Institute of Rural Management Anand School so declared under this Act shall
have an Executive Board which shall be responsible for ensuring identity and autonomy of the
School as granted under this section:
Provided further that the Institute of Rural Management Anand School shall have a Director
who shall be responsible to implement the decisions of the Executive Board besides other regular
responsibilities of the University.
(2) The Institute of Rural Management Anand School shall be declared as the “Centre of
Excellence” for Rural Management.
Explanation.––For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression “Centre of Excellence” means
the Institute of Rural Management Anand School to have greater autonomy within the overall
institutional framework of the University to achieve excellence in its domain and also responsible for
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developing and spreading best practices in imparting education, training and conducting research within
the University.
(3) Subject to the provisions of this Act, every person employed in the Institute of Rural
Management Anand immediately before the commencement of this Act shall hold such employment in
the University by the same tenure and on the same terms and conditions and with the same rights and
privileges as to pension and gratuity as he would have held under the Institute of Rural Management
Anand, if this Act had not been enacted and such terms and conditions, rights and privileges shall not
be varied to his disadvantage:
Provided that the University shall be at liberty to place the services of the persons permanently
employed in the Institute of Rural Management Anand immediately before the commencement of this
Act to any area, field, department and the like and at any place or location across India as deemed fit
by the University to further its objects.
(4) The identity and autonomy of any ongoing academic programme and course of the Institute of
Rural Management Anand School shall be preserved by the University and any modification, if needed,
shall be with the concurrence of the Executive Board of such School.
(5) The Institute of Rural Management Anand School shall have administrative and academic
autonomy as may be provided by the Statutes.
(6) The post-retirement benefits including medical benefits, if any, of every academic staff, teacher
and every other employee in the Institute of Rural Management Anand who has superannuated before
the commencement of this Act shall be borne by the University in a manner and form as deemed fit and
not to the disadvantage of the superannuated employees.
(7) Any ongoing disciplinary proceedings against any permanent employees in the Institute of Rural
Management Anand at the time of the commencement of this Act shall continue to be governed by the
Institute of Rural Management Anand Society Rules, 2004.
(8) Any matter governing the conditions of service relating to the teacher, academic staff and every
other employee for which no provision has been made in this Act, shall be determined by the provisions
to be made by the Executive Council.
6. Objects of University.—The objects of the University shall be––
(i) to provide qualified and trained manpower to meet the present and future needs of the co-
operative sector by establishing its own Schools or through affiliating institutes;
(ii) to provide training, education and capacity building to the employees and board members
of co-operative societies at all levels;
(iii) to act as an apex body to integrate, coordinate, and standardise the academic and research
activities of affiliated co-operative institutes and training centres;
(iv) to standardise the course design and content, pedagogy, course delivery in co-operative
education and training in accordance with the national and international best practices and the
guiding principles specified in the First Schedule to this Act;
(v) to develop centres of excellence in co-operative education, training, research and
consultancy;
(vi) to evolve as an institution of national and international repute for advanced studies in the
field of co-operative education and training, and any other areas connected with co-operative
societies;
(vii) to disseminate and advance knowledge by providing institutional and research facilities in
the field of co-operative education and training, and to take appropriate measures for promoting
innovations in teaching-learning process and inter-disciplinary studies and research;
(viii) to establish Schools and affiliate institutes for imparting the state-of-the-art education and
training in the field of co-operation for all sectors;
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(ix) to provide distance learning or mass e-learning platform and courses for serving the
education and training needs of the co-operative societies;
(x) to undertake and promote research and development in all sectors relating to co-operatives;
(xi) to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and start-ups in the co-operative sector;
(xii) to establish and promote partnership and linkages with co-operative societies or unions or
federations at all levels, industry, Institutions, Governments, International Co-operative Alliance
and co-operative educational institutions in India and abroad for furtherance of its objects;
(xiii) to discharge any other objects which the University deems fit to undertake for the
furtherance of its objects; and
(xiv) to discharge such other objects, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and the
Statutes made thereunder, which the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this
behalf.
7. Powers and functions of University.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes
and Ordinances made thereunder, the University shall exercise and perform the following powers and
functions, namely:––
(i) to plan, design, develop the required courses of study and conduct appropriate academic and
training programmes in the field of co-operation;
(ii) to grant, subject to such conditions as the University may determine, diplomas or certificates
to, and confer degrees or other academic distinctions on, persons, on the basis of examinations,
evaluation or any other method of testing, and to withdraw any such certificates, diplomas, degrees
or other academic distinctions for good and sufficient cause;
(iii) to provide lectures and instructions for persons not enrolled as regular students of the
University and to grant certificates to them;
(iv) to establish and maintain such outlying campuses, entrepreneurial incubation centres for
new co-operative ventures, targeted skill development centres or other units for research,
instruction, and training as are, in the opinion of the University, necessary for the furtherance of its
objects;
(v) to establish and maintain Schools and hostels subject to assessment of demand;
(vi) to provide nomenclature to the Institute of Rural Management Anand School by Statutes
made under this Act;
(vii) to confer honorary degrees or other distinctions;
(viii) to institute Professorships, Associate Professorships, Assistant Professorships and other
teaching or academic positions, required by the University and to appoint persons to such
Professorships, Associate Professorships, Assistant Professorships or other teaching or academic
positions;
(ix) to appoint persons working in any University or academic institution, including those
located outside the country, as teachers of the University;
(x) to create administrative, ministerial and other posts and to make appointments thereto
subject to availability of financial resources;
(xi) to co-operate or collaborate or associate with any other University or authority or institution
of higher learning, including those located outside the country, in such manner and for such
purposes as the University, may determine;
(xii) to provide facilities through the distance education system;
(xiii) to institute and award fellowships, scholarships, studentships, medals and prizes for
raising academic standards and research;
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(xiv) to organise and undertake extramural studies, training and extension services;
(xv) to make provision for research and advisory services and for that purpose, to enter into
such arrangements with other institutions, co-operative societies, industrial or other organisations,
as the University may deem necessary;
(xvi) to organise and conduct refresher courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, training of
trainers, and other programmes for teachers, evaluators, other academic staff and students;
(xvii) to appoint on contract or otherwise visiting Professors, Emeritus Professors, Consultants
and such other persons who may contribute to the advancement of the objects of the University;
(xviii) to determine standards of admission to the University, which may include examination,
evaluation or any other method of testing;
(xix) to demand and receive payment of fees and other charges;
(xx) to demand and receive payment for undertaking projects and consultancy services;
(xxi) to lay down conditions of service of all categories of employees, including their code of
conduct;
(xxii) to supervise, control, regulate and enforce discipline among the students and the
employees, and to take such disciplinary measures in this regard as may be deemed fit by the
University to be necessary;
(xxiii) to make arrangements for promoting the health and general welfare of the employees
and students;
(xxiv) to receive benefactions, donations and gifts and to acquire, hold and manage movable or
immovable, including trust and endowment properties, for the purposes of the University;
(xxv) to dispose of any immovable property, with the previous approval of the Central
Government;
(xxvi) to borrow, with the previous approval of the Central Government, on the security of the
property of the University, money for the purposes of the University;
(xxvii) to conduct innovative experiments and promote new methods and technologies in the
fields of co-operative management and other related fields;
(xxviii) to purchase or to take on lease any land or building or works which may be necessary or
convenient for the purposes of the University, on such terms and conditions as it may deem fit and proper
and to construct, alter and maintain any such building or work;
(xxix) to start any new degree, allied course or research programme or diploma or certification or
training programme and discontinue any courses or research programme or training programme without
prejudice to the interest of the students;
(xxx) 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 the University and as provided by
the Statutes;
(xxxi) to act as an advisory body to the Government of India and other National Institutions, State
Governments and National Co-operative Societies on all matters related to co-operative societies;
(xxxii) to grant affiliation to Institutes or to a particular course or programme being conducted
by any Institute in or outside India;
(xxxiii) to develop and certify teachers or practitioners as co-operative trainers and resource
persons;
(xxxiv) to provide for the preparation of instructional and training materials, including films,
audio-visual materials, other software and the like;
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(xxxv) to recognise persons for imparting instructions in any Institute admitted or affiliated to
the privileges of the University; and
(xxxvi) to do all such other acts and things as may be necessary, incidental or conducive to the
attainment of all or any of its objects.
(2) The University shall in the exercise of its powers have jurisdiction over the outlying campuses.
(3) In exercising its powers referred to in sub-section (1), it shall be the endeavour of the University
to maintain an all-India character and high standards of teaching, training and research, and the
University may, among other measures which may be necessary for the said purpose, take, in particular,
the following measures, namely:—
(i) admissions of students and recruitment of teachers shall be made on all-India basis through
appropriate procedures approved by the Executive Council;
(ii) conduct self-financing, demand based, customised courses for the co-operatives;
(iii) foreign students to be admitted by the University to various courses and programmes, as
per the policy and schemes of the Government of India and the procedure approved by the Executive
Council;
(iv) inter-University mobility of teachers with portable pension scheme benefits, if any, and
protection of seniority shall be encouraged.
Explanation.––For the purposes of this clause, the expression “portable pension scheme” means
a scheme to continue or carry forward the pension scheme already subscribed by the incoming
teacher;
(v) semester system, continuous evaluation and choice-based credit system may be introduced
and the University may enter into agreement with other Universities and academic institutions for
credit transfer and joint degree programmes.
Explanation.––For the purposes of this clause, the expression “choice-based credit system”
means a criterion based grading system to assess student’s achievement based on the learning
goals for each programme, with continuous and comprehensive evaluation instead of high stake
examinations;
(vi) innovative courses and programmes of studies shall be introduced with a provision for
periodic review and restructuring;
(vii) active participation of students shall be ensured in all academic activities of the
University, including evaluation of teachers;
(viii) accreditation may be obtained from the National Assessment and Accreditation
Council or any other accrediting agency of repute as may be determined by the University; and
(ix) e-governance shall be introduced in every possible sphere of activity with an effective
management information system.
8. University to be open to all caste, creed, race or class.—The University shall be open to
persons of any sex and of whatever caste, creed, race or class, and it shall not be lawful for the University
to adopt or impose on any person, any test whatsoever of religious belief or profession in order to entitle
such person to be appointed as a teacher of the University or to hold any other office therein or to be
admitted as a student in the University or to graduate there at or to enjoy or exercise any privilege
thereof:
Provided that the University shall follow the policy of the Central Government regarding
reservations in admissions and employment.
9. Power of Central Government to review and issue directions.—(1) The Central Government
may, from time to time, appoint one or more persons to review or inspect the work and progress of the
University and outlying campuses including its buildings, libraries, laboratories and equipments, and
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other infrastructure maintained by it and also of the examinations, teaching and other work conducted
or done by the University, and to submit a report thereon and upon receipt of that report, the Central
Government may, take such action and issue such directions, as it considers necessary, in respect of any
of the matters dealt with in the report and the University shall abide by such action and be bound to
comply with such directions.
(2) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section, the Central Government may, by
an order in writing, annul any proceeding of the University which is not in conformity with the
provisions of this Act or the Statutes or the Ordinances made thereunder.
(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes made thereunder, the University,
in discharge of its general powers and functions under this Act, shall be bound by such directions as the
Central Government may give in writing to it from time to time.
(4) The Central Government shall have such other powers, in respect of the affairs of the University,
as may be provided by the Statutes.
10. Chancellor.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification, appoint a person of eminence
as the Chancellor of the University.
(2) The Chancellor shall hold office for a term of five years or until he attains the age of seventy
years, whichever is earlier:
Provided that notwithstanding the expiry of his term of office, the Chancellor shall continue to hold
office until his successor enters upon his office.
(3) The terms and other conditions of service of Chancellor shall be such as may be provided by
the Statutes.
(4) The Chancellor shall, by virtue of his office, be the Head of the University and shall, if
present, preside at the Convocations of the University held for conferring degrees and other
ceremonial functions and also the meetings of the Governing Board.
(5) The Chancellor shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be
assigned to him under this Act and the Statutes made thereunder.
CHAPTER III
OFFICERS OF UNIVERSITY AND INSTITUTE OF RURAL MANAGEMENT ANAND SCHOOL
11. Officers of University and Institute of Rural Management Anand School.—The following
shall be the officers of the University and the Institute of Rural Management Anand School,
namely: —
(a) the Vice-Chancellor;
(b) the Director and ex officio Dean of the Institute of Rural Management Anand School;
(c) the Dean;
(d) the Registrar;
(e) the Finance Officer;
(f) the Controller of Examinations;
(g) the Librarian; and
(h) such other officers as may be provided by the Ordinances to be the officers of the University
and the Institute of Rural Management Anand School.
12. Vice-Chancellor.—(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be a person having such eligibility criteria
and shall be appointed by the Central Government in such manner and subject to such terms and
conditions of service as may be provided by the Statutes:
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Provided that the first Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Central Government in such
manner and subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined by it and he shall hold office
for a term of three years and may be eligible for re-appointment for another term of two years.
(2) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the principal executive and academic officer of the University and
shall exercise general supervision and control over other officers of the University.
(3) The Vice-Chancellor may, if he is of the opinion that immediate action is necessary on any
matter, exercise any power conferred on any authority, except the Governing Board of the University
by or under this Act and shall inform such authority at its next meeting the action taken by him on such
matter.
(4) Where the Vice-Chancellor is of the opinion that any decision taken by any officer or authority,
other than Chancellor or the Governing Board of the University is beyond the powers of such officer or
authority conferred under the provisions of this Act or the Statutes or the Ordinances made thereunder
or that any decision taken by the officer or authority is not as per the objects of the University, he shall
have powers to rescind such decisions and issue appropriate directions and all such matters shall be
placed before the Governing Board for information.
(5) The Vice-Chancellor shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be
provided by the Statutes.
13. Registrar.—(1) The Registrar shall be appointed by the Central Government in such manner,
and on such terms and conditions, as may be provided by the Statutes:
Provided that the first Registrar shall be appointed by the Central Government in such manner and
on such terms and conditions as may be determined by it and the said officer shall hold office for a term
of three years, and may be eligible for re-appointment for another term of two years.
(2) The Registrar shall have the power to enter into agreements, sign documents and authenticate
records on behalf of the University, and shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties,
as may be provided by the Statutes.
14. Finance Officer.—The Finance Officer shall be appointed by the Central Government in such
manner, and on such terms and conditions and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as
may be provided by the Statutes:
Provided that the first Finance Officer shall be appointed by the Central Government in such manner
and on such terms and conditions as may be determined by it and the said officer shall hold office for a
term of three years, and may be eligible for re-appointment for another term of two years.
15. Director of Institute of Rural Management Anand School.—(1) There shall be a Director
and ex officio Dean of the Institute of Rural Management Anand School who shall be the principal
academic and administrative officer for that School, and shall exercise supervision and control over all
employees of that School.
(2) The Director shall be appointed in such manner, and on such terms and conditions and shall
exercise such powers and perform such duties, as may be provided by the Ordinances.
16. Dean.—(1) Each School of the University shall be headed by a Dean who shall be the principal
academic and administrative officer for that School, and shall exercise supervision and control over all
employees of that School.
(2) The Dean shall be appointed by the Executive Council in such manner, and on such terms and
conditions, and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as may be provided by the
Ordinances.
17. Controller of Examinations.—The Controller of Examinations shall be appointed in such
manner, and on such terms and conditions, and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as
may be provided by the Ordinances.
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18. Librarian.—The Librarian shall be appointed in such manner, and on such terms and
conditions, and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as may be provided by the
Ordinances.
19. Other officers.—(1) In addition to the officers referred to in clauses (a) to (g) of section 11,
the University shall consist of such other officers as may be provided by the Ordinances.
(2) The manner of appointment, terms and conditions of service and powers and duties of other
officers of the University shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.
CHAPTER IV
AUTHORITIES OF UNIVERSITY AND INSTITUTE OF RURALMANAGEMENT ANAND SCHOOL
20. Authorities of University and Institute of Rural Management Anand School.—The
following shall be the authorities of the University and Institute of Rural Management Anand School,
namely:—
(a) the Governing Board;
(b) the Executive Council;
(c) the Academic and Research Council;
(d) the Executive Board;
(e) the Capacity Building Council;
(f) the Assessment and Improvement Council;
(g) the Research and Development Council;
(h) the Board for Affiliation and Recognition;
(i) the Finance Committee;
(j) the Board of Co-operative Studies; and
(k) such other authorities as may be provided by the Ordinances to be the authorities of the
University and Institute of Rural Management Anand School.
21. Governing Board.—(1) The Chancellor shall be the Chairperson of the Governing Board.
(2) In addition to the Chairperson, the Governing Board shall consist of the following members
who shall be nominated by the Central Government, namely:—
(a) Vice-Chancellor—Member, ex officio;
(b) Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation—Member, ex officio;
(c) Four Secretaries of Central Ministries or Departments dealing with important sectors of co-
operative—Members, ex officio;
(d) Four Principal Secretaries or Secretaries of Co-operation Department of States or Union
territories, by rotation—Members, ex officio;
(e) Managing Director, National Co-operative Development Corporation—Member,
ex officio;
(f) Chairperson, National Dairy Development Board—Member, ex officio;
(g) Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board—Member, ex officio;
(h) Chairperson, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development—Member, ex officio;
(i) Four Chairpersons of National Co-operative Societies, by rotation— Members, ex officio;
(j) Chairperson, Institute of Rural Management Anand School—Member, ex officio;
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(k) Four Deans of Schools and Departments established by the University, by rotation—
Members, ex officio;
(l) Two Directors of Institutes affiliated to the University, by rotation—Members, ex officio;
(m) Four Professors who are members of the Academic and Research Council, Capacity
Building Council, Assessment and Improvement Council and Research and Development Council
respectively, by rotation—Members, ex officio;
(n) Finance Officer of the University—Member, ex officio;
(o) President, Alumni Association—Member, ex officio;
(p) Four eminent persons in the field of co-operatives—Members;
(q) Representative of the Reserve Bank, not below the rank of Executive Director—Member,
ex officio; and
(r) the Registrar—Member-Secretary, ex officio.
(3) The term of office of the nominated members, other than ex officio Members shall be for a period
of three years from the date of their nomination:
Provided that term of office of an ex officio Member shall continue so long as he holds the office
by virtue of which he is a member.
(4) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the statutes made thereunder, the Governing Board
shall exercise and perform the following powers and 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;
(c) to nominate members of Academic and Research Council, Capacity Building Council,
Assessment and Improvement Council, Research and Development Council and Board for
Affiliation and Recognition; and
(d) to perform such other powers and functions as may be provided by the Statutes.
22. Executive Council.—(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio Chairperson of the
Executive Council, which shall be the principal executive body of the University and shall exercise
supervision and control over all authorities of the University referred to in clauses (c) to (k) of section
20.
(2) The constitution of the Executive Council, the term of office of its members and its powers and
functions shall be such as may be provided by the Statutes.
23. Academic and Research Council.—(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio
Chairperson of the Academic and Research Council, which shall be the principal academic and research
body of the University and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances
made thereunder, co-ordinate and exercise general supervision over the academic and research policies
of the University.
(2) The constitution of the Academic and Research Council, the term of office of its members and
its powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.
24. Executive Board of Institute of Rural Management Anand School.—(1) Subject to the
provisions of this Act and the Statutes made thereunder, there shall be an Executive Board of the
Institute of Rural Management Anand School which shall, co-ordinate and exercise general supervision
over such School.
(2) The constitution of the Executive Board, selection of its Chairperson, the term of office of its
Chairperson and members and its powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Statutes.
16
25. Capacity Building Council.—(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio Chairperson of
the Capacity Building Council, which shall be the principal body of the University for capacity building
programmes and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances made
thereunder, co-ordinate and exercise general supervision over the capacity building policies of the
University.
(2) The constitution of the Capacity Building Council, the term of office of its members and its
powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.
26. Assessment and Improvement Council.—(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio
Chairperson of the Assessment and Improvement Council, which shall be the principal body of the
University for assessment and improvement of all programmes and shall, subject to the provisions of
this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances made thereunder, co-ordinate and exercise general supervision
over the matters relating to assessment and improvement of such programmes.
(2) The constitution of the Assessment and Improvement Council, the term of office of its members
and its powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.
27. Research and Development Council.—(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio
Chairperson of the Research and Development Council, which shall be the principal body of the
University for undertaking and promoting research and development activities in all sectors relating to
co-operatives and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances made
thereunder, co-ordinate and exercise general supervision over the matters relating to research and
development.
(2) The constitution of the Research and Development Council, the term of office of its members
and its powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.
28. Board for Affiliation and Recognition.—(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio
Chairperson of the Board for Affiliation and Recognition, which shall be responsible for admitting or
affiliating institutes 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 provided by the Ordinances.
29. Finance Committee.—(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the ex officio Chairperson of the
Finance Committee.
(2) The constitution of the Finance Committee, the term of office of its members and its powers
and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.
30. Board of Co-operative Studies.—(1) Every School shall have a Board of Co-operative
Studies.
(2) The constitution of the Board of Co-operative Studies, the term of office of its members and its
powers and functions shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.
(3) The Board of Co-operative Studies shall have such number of Committees not exceeding five,
including three Committees, comprising of experts, dealing in streams of degree, diploma and
certificate, respectively.
(4) The constitution, powers and functions of the Committees referred to in sub-section (3) shall be
such as may be provided by the Ordinances.
31. Other authorities of University.—The manner of appointment, terms and conditions, powers
and functions of other authorities referred to in clause (k) of section 20 shall be such as may be provided
by the Ordinances.
32. Meetings of authorities.—(1) The authorities except the Governing Board and Executive
Council shall meet at such places and times, and shall follow such rules of procedure in regard to the
transaction of the business at its meetings (including quorum), as maybe provided by the Ordinances.
17
(2) If the Chairperson of any authority, for any reason is unable to attend a meeting of such
authority, any other member chosen by the members present amongst themselves at the meeting, shall
preside over the meeting.
CHAPTER V
STATUTES, ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS
33. Statutes.—Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes may provide for all or any of the
following matters, namely:—
(a) the constitution of the Governing Board, Executive Council and Executive Board, as may
be constituted from time to time, and their powers and functions;
(b) the appointment and continuance in office of the members of the Governing Board,
Executive Council and Executive Board, the filling up of vacancies of members, and all other
matters relating to these authorities;
(c) the nomenclature of the Institute of Rural Management Anand School so declared under this
Act;
(d) the terms and conditions relating to clause (iv) of sub-section (3) of section 7, subject to any
provision relating to transfer of teachers from the University to other Central University or Centrally
Funded Technical Institutes to be decided in consultation with concerned Central Government
Departments; and
(e) all other matters which by this Act are to be, or may be, provided for by the Statutes.
34. Power to make Statutes.—(1) The first Statutes as specified in the Second Schedule shall be
continued till they are superseded by new Statutes.
(2) The new or additional Statutes shall be made by the Central Government either suo motu or on
the recommendation of the Executive Council, at any point of time and as deemed fit.
35. Ordinances.—Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes made thereunder, the
Ordinances may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the constitution, powers and functions of all authorities except Governing Board, Executive
Council and Executive Board, as may be constituted from time to time;
(b) the appointment and continuance in office of the members of the said authorities and other
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, emoluments and terms and conditions of service of
officers of the University and the Institute of Rural Management Anand School except Vice-
Chancellor, Registrar and Finance Officer;
(d) the appointment of teachers, academic staff and other employees of the University and the
Institute of Rural Management Anand School, their emoluments and terms and conditions of their
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 terms and conditions of service of employees including provisions for pension,
insurance, provident fund, the 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 Executive Council 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 institutes;
(k) the establishment and closure of Schools, Departments and hostels;
(l) the conferment of honorary degrees;
(m) the conferment and withdrawal of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic
distinctions;
(n) the management of Schools established and maintained by the University;
(o) the delegation of powers vested in the authorities or officers of the University and the
Institute of Rural Management Anand School;
(p) the maintenance of discipline among the employees and students;
(q) the admission of students to the University and their enrolment as such;
(r) the courses of study and their duration to be laid down for all degrees, diplomas and
certificates of the University;
(s) the medium of instructions and examinations;
(t) 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;
(u) the fees to be charged for courses of study in the University and for admission to
examinations, degrees and diplomas of the University;
(v) the conditions for award of fellowships, scholarships, studentships, medals and prizes;
(w) the conduct of examinations, including the term of office and manner of appointment and
the duties of examining bodies, examiners and moderators;
(x) the conditions of residence of the students of the University;
(y) the special arrangements, if any, which may be made for the residence and teaching of
women students and prescribing special courses of studies for them;
(z) the establishment of Centres of Studies, Board of Studies and other Committees;
(za) the manner of co-operation and collaboration with other Universities, institutions and other
organisations including industry;
(zb) the creation, composition and functions of any other body which is considered necessary
for improving the academic life of the University;
(zc) the setting up of a machinery for redressal of grievances of employees and students; and
(zd) any other matter which, by this Act or the Statutes made thereunder, is to be or may be,
provided for by the Ordinances.
36. Power to make Ordinances.—(1) The first Ordinances shall be made by the Vice-Chancellor
and the Ordinances so made may be amended or repealed at any time by the Executive Council.
(2) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (1), the Executive Council shall make Ordinances
either suo motu or on the recommendation of the related authority of the University referred to in clauses
(c) to (k) of section 20, as decided by such Executive Council.
(3) Every Ordinance so made under sub-sections (1) and (2) shall be submitted, as soon as may be
after it is made, to the Central Government for information.
37. Regulations.—Any authority under section 20 may make Regulation, consistent with the
provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances made thereunder, for the conduct of its own
business and every Regulation so made shall be submitted, as soon as may be after it is made, to the
Executive Council for information.
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CHAPTER VI
ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
38. Annual report.—(1) The annual report of the University shall be prepared under the directions
of Executive Council, which shall include, among other matters, the steps taken by the University
towards the fulfilment of its objects and shall be submitted to the Governing Board after the approval
of Executive Council within six months from the closing of financial year and the Governing Board
shall consider the report in its annual meeting.
(2) The Governing Board shall submit the annual report to the Central Government along with its
comments, if any, on or before the expiry of nine months from the closing of financial year.
(3) The Central Government shall, as soon as may be after it is received, cause a copy of the annual
report be laid before each House of Parliament.
39. Annual accounts.—(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 standards as may be provided by it 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 the University 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 on or before the expiry of nine months from the closing
of financial year and that Government shall cause the same to be laid before each House of Parliament.
40. Fund of University.—(1) There shall be a University Fund which shall include––
(a) any contribution or grant made by the Central Government;
(b) grant from Co-operative Education Fund maintained under the Multi-State Co-operative
Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002) or States’ or Union Territories’ Co-operative Societies Acts;
(c) grant from corpus Fund for Co-operative Training set up by the Central Government;
(d) any contribution or grant made by the State Government;
(e) any contribution made by Government, semi-Government or autonomous bodies;
(f) any gifts, bequests, donations, endowments or other grants;
(g) income received by the University from fees and charges;
(h) income received by the University from undertaking projects and consultancy services;
(i) money received by the University from the collaborating industries, co-operative societies,
federations, unions and other organisations in terms of the provisions of the Memorandum of
Understanding between the University and such collaborating industry, co-operative society,
federation, union or other organisation; and
(j) money received from any other source, provided that any funding from foreign sources shall
require prior approval of the Central Government.
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(2) All funds of the University shall be deposited in such banks or invested in such manner as the
Executive Council may decide on the recommendation of the Finance Committee.
(3) The funds of the University shall be applied towards meeting the expenses of the University
including expenses incurred in the exercise of its powers and discharge of its functions by or under this
Act.
(4) The University, at all times, shall strive to be self-sufficient in meeting its expenses and shall,
while launching new courses or programmes, establishing new schools or other infrastructure, creating
or filling posts, incurring recurring or non-recurring expenses and creating any other financial liability,
take into account financial resources that are either available with the University or tied up with
stakeholders or any other source.
CHAPTER VII
MISCELLANEOUS
41. Conditions of service of employees, etc.—(1) Every employee of the University shall be
appointed under a written contract, which shall be lodged with the University and a copy of which shall
befurnished to the employee concerned.
(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 Dispute Resolution Body consisting of one member appointed
by the Executive Council, one member nominated by the employee concerned and an independent
member from outside the University to be appointed by the Executive Council.
(3) The decision of the Dispute Resolution Body shall be final and no suit shall lie in any civil court
in respect of the matters decided by the Dispute Resolution Body.
(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 Dispute Resolution Body shall be such as may be
provided by the Ordinances.
42. Right to appeal.—(1) Any person including an employee or a student of the University
Aggrieved by the decision or order of the Academic and Research Council, the Capacity Building
Council, the Assessment and Improvement Council, the Research and Development Council, the Board
for Affiliation and Recognition and the Board of Co-operative Studies may file an appeal to the
Executive Council.
(2) The form, manner and the procedure for filing and disposing of appeal referred to in sub-section
(1) shall be such as may be provided by the Ordinances.
43. Provident and pension funds.—(1) The University shall constitute for benefit of its employees
such provident fund or any other similar fund or provide such insurance schemes, as it may deem fit, in
such manner and subject to such conditions, as may be provided by the Ordinances.
(2) Where such provident fund or other similar fund has been so constituted, 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.
44. Returns and information.—The University shall furnish to the Central Government such
returns or other information with respect to its property or activities, within such period, as may be
determined by the Central Government from time to time.
45. Acts and proceedings not invalidated by vacancies.—No act or proceedings of any authority
or other body of the University shall be invalid merely by reason of the existence of a vacancy or
vacancies among its members.
46. University and Institute of Rural Management Anand School to be public authority under
Right to Information Act.—The provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (20 of 2005)shall
21
apply to the University and the Institute of Rural Management Anand School, as if it were a public
authority defined in clause (h) of section 2 of that Act.
47. Protection of action taken in good fait.—No suit, prosecution 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, the Statutes or the Ordinances
made thereunder.
48. Act to have overriding effect.—Save as otherwise provided, the provisions of this Act shall
be in addition to and not in derogation of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956) and
any other law for the time being in force.
49. Mode of proof of University record.—Notwithstanding anything contained in the Bharatiya
Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (47 of 2023) or in any other law for the time being in force, a copy of any
receipt, application, notice, order, proceeding or resolution of any authority or other body of the
University, or any other document in possession of the University, or any entry in any register duly
maintained by the University, if certified by the Registrar, shall be received as prima facie evidence of
such receipt, application, notice, order, proceeding, resolution or document or the existence of entry in
the register and shall be admitted as evidence of the matters and transactions therein where the original
thereof would, if produced, have been admissible in evidence.
50. Statutes to be laid before Parliament.—(1) Every Statute made under this Act shall be
published in the Official Gazette.
(2) Every Statute 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 both Houses agree that the Statute should not be made, the Statute 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.
(3) 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 but no retrospective effect shall be
given to any Statutes so as to prejudicially affect the interests of any person to whom such Statutes may
be applicable.
51. Residuary provision.—(1) The Central Government shall have the authority to deal with any
matter pertaining to the University and the Institute of Rural Management Anand School and not
specifically dealt with in this Act.
(2) The decision of the Central Government on all such matters shall be final.
52. 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 may appear 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 three 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.
53. Transitional provisions.—Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act and the Statutes
made thereunder,––
(a) the Board of Governors and other committees functioning in Institute of Rural Management
Anand shall continue to function till such time the authorities or committees are constituted in the
University under the provisions of this Act;
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(b) the existing officers of Institute of Rural Management Anand shall continue to function till
such time, the officers of the University are appointed under the provisions of this Act; and
(c) till the First Statutes and Ordinances are made, any matter not specifically dealt within this
Act shall be governed by rules and regulations of Institute of Rural Management Anand.
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THE FIRST SCHEDULE
[See section 6(iv)]
GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR COURSE DESIGN, PEDAGOGY AND DELIVERY
1. To create an enabling ecosystem to realise the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” by providing a
stable pool of appropriately trained manpower for the co-operative sector.
2. To meet education and training needs of members of boards of directors and employees of co-
operative societies in all sectors, all regions and at all levels, that is National, State, District or
Primary.
3. To design courses for all levels or streams of employees, that is managerial, supervisory,
technical, administrative and the like.
4. To take into account the needs of students coming from different educational levels and
backgrounds.
5. To design foundational courses such as co-operative principles, laws, taxation, accounting,
audit, history, culture, best international and national practices and the like.
6. To design domain specific courses for sectoral co-operative societies (Milk, Fisheries, Sugar,
Credit, Urban Co-operative Banks, Agri-business, Housing, Marketing and the like).
7. To design co-operative management courses including Finance, Marketing, Human
Resources, Information System, Logistics, Storage and Inventory Management.
8. To design course content to enhance professionalism and use of Information Technology in
co-operative sector.
9. To address the need for building, refreshing and enhancing skills in the co-operative sector.
10. To design courses in close coordination with the co-operative societies to ensure development
of need based, contemporary, dynamic and responsive curriculum.
11. To take into account the latest developments in course design, pedagogy and content delivery
using multimedia and other technological tools.
12. To meet the specific requirement of the National Co-operative Societies, State Co-operative
Societies and Co-operative Federations.
13. To address the specialised needs for engineering and technological courses in co-operative
sector (milk processing technology, weaving, spinning technology, storage and logistics technology,
information technology, Enterprise Resource Planning and the like).
14. To include latest technological developments in the courses for each sector.
15. To address the emerging needs and technological areas such as Artificial Intelligence,
Machine Learning and the like.
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THE SECOND SCHEDULE
(See section 34)
THE FIRST STATUTES
The University, in the exercise of its powers and functions under section 7, shall ensure that the
financial liabilities are met out of the available financial resources and to that extent shall devise and
enforce such procedures as approved by any authority referred to in section 20:
Provided that the extant rules and procedures of the Central Government relating to appointments,
promotions and fixation of pay as well as expenditures, both recurring and non-recurring, including
those referred to in clauses (viii), (x), (xvii) and clause (xxi) of sub-section (1) of section 7, shall apply
if the University seeks any financial assistance or Gross Budgetary Support apart from one-time capital
grant.
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STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
In the last three and half years, many new initiatives have been taken by the Ministry of Cooperation to
strengthen the co-operative sector, such as Model Bye-Laws for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies making
them multi-purpose, multi-dimensional and transparent entities, establishing two lakh new multi-purpose Primary
Agricultural Credit Societies or Dairy or Fishery Co-operatives in uncovered Panchayats, World's largest
Decentralised Grain Storage Plan in co-operative sector, computerisation of Agriculture and Rural Development
Banks, computerisation of functional Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, relief to co-operative societies in the
Income-tax Act, 1961, initiatives for the revival of co-operative sugar Mills, establishment of three new national-
level multi-state co-operative societies for seed, organic products and exports, Co-operative-led White Revolution
2.0 and the like. All these initiatives would generate a huge demand for employment in the co-operative sector.
2. The present education and training infrastructure in the co-operative sector is fragmented and grossly
inadequate to meet the present and future demand for qualified manpower and capacity building of existing
employees in co-operative societies. It also lacks standardisation and quality monitoring mechanisms. It is,
therefore, essential that a comprehensive, integrated and standardised structure is created for education, training
and research by establishing a national University to ensure a stable, adequate and quality supply of professionally
qualified manpower for different categories of jobs in co-operatives such as managerial, supervisory,
administrative, technical, operational, etc., and also address the long pending issue of capacity building of
employees and board members in the co-operative sector in a pan-India and focused manner.
3. In view of above reasons, it is proposed to establish a National University in the Co-operative Sector,
namely, the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University. 4. It is also proposed that the Institute of Rural Management Anand
(IRMA) shall be established as "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University through an Act of Parliament and shall also be
declared as an institution of national importance therein. Since the University will be established by declaring
IRMA, an existing institute, the University shall be functional immediately after the commencement of the
"Tribhuvan" Sahkari University Act, 2025. IRMA shall be one of the schools of the University and shall also be
declared as a Centre of Excellence for rural management, and its autonomy and identity shall be preserved within
the institutional framework of the University.
5. The University would be a specialised University, the first of its kind, in the co-operative sector, to impart
and promote co-operative education, training, research and development and thereby strengthen the co-operative
movement in the country. 6. The University shall establish sector-specific schools such as dairy, fishery, sugar,
banking, rural credit, co-operative finance, co-operative marketing, co-operative accounting, co-operative laws,
co-operative audit, multi-state co-operatives, etc., in its campus or in the States that are the leaders in respective
sectors. The University shall also create a pan-India network of affiliated co-operative education and training
institutes to achieve its objectives. 7. The principles guiding the University in course design, pedagogy and
delivery have been enumerated in the Schedule of the proposed legislation. 8. The University shall have at least
4-5 affiliated colleges or institutions in States with a high concentration of co-operative societies and at least 1-2
affiliated colleges or institutions in States with a lesser concentration. The affiliation shall be on a voluntary basis,
and the existing co-operative institutes, which are under multiple authorities, shall be encouraged to affiliate with
the University.
9. The University, through the Board for Affiliation and Recognition, shall ensure standardisation and quality
in affiliated institutes by regulating recruitment of their faculty, resource persons, admission criteria, conduct of
examinations, award of degrees or diplomas or certificates, course design and the like.
10. The University shall also leverage existing mass e-learning platforms like SWAYAM. The University shall
collaborate with other universities or colleges or institutes or co-operative societies and other stakeholders for
research development in the field of co-operation. and
11. The Notes on clauses explain in detail the various provisions contained in the Bill.
12. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.
AMIT SHAH.
NEW DELHI;
The 28th January, 2025.
India Code, Government of India. Text fetched 10 Oct 2026. Check the linked official text and subsequent notifications when applying a provision.