Chapter II UNIVERSITY

1. (1) There shall be established a University by the name of the "Maharashtra State Skills University" .
2. (2) The University shall be a body corporate, by the name specified in sub-section (1) and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and shall sue and be sued by the said name.
3. (3) The University shall be competent to acquire and hold property, both movable and immovable, to lease, sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any movable or immovable property, which may vest in or may be acquired by it for the purpose of the University, and to contract and do all other things necessary for the purposes of this Act: Provided that, no such lease, sale or transfer of such property shall be made without the valuation made thereof by the approved valuer appointed by the University and without the prior consent of the Government.
4. (4) In all suits and other legal proceedings by or against the University, the pleadings shall be signed and verified by the Registrar or any other person authorized in this behalf, and all process in suits and proceedings shall be issued to and served on the Registrar.
5. (5) The headquarter of the University shall be on such place as may be notified by the Government in the Official Gazette. The University may establish and maintain campuses, colleges, regional centres, skill centres and study centres at such other places as it may deem fit: Provided that, the University may, with the prior approval of the Government and approval of the University Grants Commission, also establish campuses, skill centres and study centres outside State.

1. (1) The jurisdiction of the University shall extend to the whole of the State of Maharashtra.
2. (2) On and from the date of commencement of this Act, all existing colleges, autonomous institutions and centres imparting education at degree and above level in various skill courses, previously admitted to the privileges of or affiliated to other universities shall have the option to be admitted to the privileges of or affiliated to the Maharashtra State Skills University established under this Act.
3. (3) Any new society, association or sponsoring body in the State of Maharashtra seeking affiliation or recognition by the University to the college or institution or centre started or conducted by it, imparting skill education, need not seek the permission of any other university constituted under the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016 (Mah. IV of 2017), in the area of which the college or the institution, as the case may be, is to be or is located. On an application of any such society or association or body, the University may, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, grant the affiliation, with the previous sanction of the State Government, or the recognition, as the case may be, without seeking permission of any other university in the area of which the college or institution is to be or is located.
4. (4) If any educational institution or centre affiliated to or recognized or admitted to the privileges of any other university established by law, seeks to be associated with, or be admitted to the privileges of the University, such association or admission may be permitted with the sanction of the State Government and consent of the university concerned.

The objects of the University shall be to,-

1. (a) to emerge as the foremost institution of quality in skill education recognised by industry, industry associations, etc. nationally and internationally ;
2. (b) to develop qualified youth with skill proficiencies and competencies at different levels built on national principles of skill education or as deemed appropriate by the University;
3. (c) to promote skill education including employment and entrepreneurship in an integrated and holistic manner with higher education so as to ensure pathways for progression and mobility across forms of education and skills ;
4. (d) to provide learning, teaching, capacity, capability and skills development and entrepreneurial training, covering a wide spectrum of domains and specializations as may be relevant from time to time in the fields in which future jobs are going to be created such as automotive, apparel and furnishing, aviation and aerospace, media and entertainment, film, capital goods, communication, design, technology, management and entrepreneurship, business, banking and insurance, healthcare, hospitality, logistics, sports, travel and tourism, life sciences applied and creative arts, humanities, data science and artificial intelligence, e-business, retail, analytics, agri-business, related to Industry 4.0 and any other fields of study including the imparting of skills that have employment potentiality ;
5. (e) to provide opportunities for flexible learning systems and provide a medium for lifelong learning and skill development with employability ;
6. (f) to engage and promote constant engagement with industry to understand the skilled manpower needs of industry and build partnerships for youth to learn in a practical and real-world environment ;
7. (g) to develop competent, skilled and capable youth imbued with skills, learning and the spirit of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship to meet the skilled employment needs of the country and the world ;
8. (h) to promote and maintain transparency of the highest order in matters of admission, appointments, evaluation, accreditation, administration and finance ;
   • (i) to establish state-of-the-art facilities for education, skills training and entrepreneurship development ;
9. (j) to carry out teaching, skilling, up-skilling, re-skilling and research and offer continuing quality education programmes ;
10. (k) to start skills development programs, soft skills, courses in new and emerging areas with innovative approaches ;
11. (l) to institute degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions on the basis of examinations, or any other methods of evaluation ;
12. (m) to provide skill development and training through a variety of programs leading to gainful employment and entrepreneurship ;
13. (n) to establish links, collaborations and partnerships with other institutions, industry and industry associations in India and abroad ;
14. (o) to establish links with industry partner for capital investment for establishment of the University and for its maintenance ;
15. (p) to establish innovative approaches for creation of seamlessness in academic structures, learning time-frames, and working and continuous evaluation processes for nurturing and cultivation of creativity and entrepreneurship ;
16. (q) to aim at reaching the unreached by using latest information communication technology to deliver education, training and teaching resources to learners ;
17. (r) to provide a teaching learning pedagogy which combines multiple forms of education and learning pedagogy and course delivery (blended or distance or open or online or skill or other) and thus provide a ‘Virtual Campus’ where students will come together with experienced faculty and industry members to develop and evolve ;
18. (s) to provide learning opportunities to wide range of learners representing diverse backgrounds, age groups and socio-economic status and geographic location through a self-paced, self-styled, face to face and online learning environment ;
19. (t) to collaborate with other colleges, universities, research institutions, profit and non-profit organizations, corporates, industry, industry associations, professional associations or other organizations in India or overseas to conceptualize, design, develop and offer specific education and research programmes, training programmes, skilling and exchange programmes for students, faculty members and others ;
20. (u) to provide a teaching learning pedagogy focused on hands-on training, professional and skill based training in line with market needs ;
    • (v) to conduct research in labour market requirements in order to understand emerging trends and offer suitable curricula, courses and programs ;
21. (w) to undertake collaborative research and advocacy with any organizations in India or overseas for promoting innovative models of education, research, training and skill development including employment and entrepreneurship;
    • (x) to design and deliver high quality training, capacity building and development systems for teachers, administrators and working professionals ;
22. (y) to collaborate with other institutes, industries businesses, universities or labs or agencies or organizations of repute from other States of India or foreign countries to offer joint programmes or courses or research or exchange faculty or information or share practices and give or receive equipment or resources or grants or consultancy for benefit of students;
23. (z) to offer mechanism and facility for recognition of prior learning;
24. (za) to offer mechanism and facility of credit banking or transfer system to create options of multi-entry and exit and opportunities for movement across Universities or domains or sectors ;
25. (zb) to provide students an opportunity of life long and continuous training through the University courses offered through conventional or blended or distance or open or online education and other education delivery models suitable for different pedagogical approaches and systems;
26. (zc) to provide education, training and skill development opportunities to the informal sector and unorganized workforce in order to build productivity ;
27. (zd) to provide flexible and modular learning pathways thereby enabling multi entry and exit option ;
28. (ze) to provide vertical mobility to students undergoing technical, vocational and skill based education and training by offering Diploma, Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral programs in high growth sectors and offer various specializations to prepare the youth towards gainful employment and entrepreneurship;
29. (zf) to provide a flexible and open system of learning ;
30. (zg) to conduct pedagogical and skill enhancement training and development programs for faculty and trainers who are involved in imparting vocational education and skill training;
31. (zh) to provide professional and development services to the industry, organizations, agencies and the society at large ;
32. (zi) to undertake skill assessments for the students studying in the University as well as for other students, agencies, training providers, institutions, industry and organizations ;
33. (zj) to do research in the pedagogy of skill assessments, online assessments, computerized assessments or tests and develop required software, hardware solutions or other systems or processes for carrying, out assessments or tests ;
34. (zk) to use modern and post-modern processes, mechanisms and technologies for governance and management of learning, teaching, researching, evaluating, developing, organizing and creating socio-economic wealth for individuals and society for Twenty-first Century ;
35. (zl) to provide professional and development services to the industry and public organizations and society ;
36. (zm) to encourage industrial and industrial associations participation through establishment of innovation labs, in-service training centres, workshops and active participation in all aspects of governance, curricula design, skill training, placements, internships, consultancy, joint projects, etc ;
37. (zn) to establish campuses, regional centres, skill centres, community colleges, study centres, information centres, test or examination centres, centres of excellence, etc., at various locations in the State to facilitate delivery, student services and dissemination of education, consultancy, information and skill training with the permission of competent regulatory body ;
38. (zo) to liaison or collaborate with various ministries, State bodies, departments, agencies or other statutory bodies at state, national, international level in order to understand education and skilling needs and to impart programmes accordingly ;
39. (zp) to interact with industries for participation in curricula development, teacher training, practical, research, on-job training, skill assessments certifications, etc. ;
40. (zq) to engage and promote knowledge partner for monitoring and supporting the University in conducting all its activities and academic programmes ;
41. (zr) to undertake necessary or expedient action to pursue and promote the objectives of the University ;
42. (zs) to ensure that the standard of the degree, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions conferred by a University are not lower than those laid down by the competent regulatory body.

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

1. (a) to provide facilities and promote trainings, studies and research in emerging areas of skills, including new emerging areas in which future jobs are going to be created such as automotive, apparel and furnishing, aviation and aerospace, media and entertainment, film, capital goods, communication, design, technology, management and entrepreneurship, business, banking and insurance, healthcare, hospitality, logistics, sports, travel and tourism, life sciences applied and creative arts, humanities, data science and artificial intelligence, e-business, retail, analytics, agribusiness, related to Industry 4.0 and any other fields of study including the imparting of skills that have employment potentiality ;
2. (b) to develop curriculum packages and credit frameworks for different levels in accordance with the National Occupational Standards as specified by the National Skill Qualification Framework or as may be defined by the University ;
3. (c) to define norms and parameters of skill education, teaching and instruction, consistent with the credit framework and curriculum packages, as the University may deem fit ;
4. (d) to define norms and parameters of skill education, teaching and instruction, consistent with the credit framework and curriculum packages, in such skills and allied areas as the Skills University may deem fit ;
5. (e) to determine standards of admission to the University, which may include an entrance examination, evaluation or any other method of testing;
6. (f) to demand and receive payment of fees and other charges;
7. (g) to facilitate instruction, in accordance with the credit framework and curriculum packages, in such skills and allied areas as the University may deem fit, for the dissemination of knowledge and skills training and consistent with its objects;
8. (h) to award degrees, diplomas, certificates and other distinctions, as the case maybe;
   • (i) to define norms of, examination or any other measure of assessment of knowledge and competency of a student of, or admission to, the University or colleges, institutions of skill education, training establishments and research centres affiliated to it ;
9. (j) to hold examinations or other assessments of knowledge or competency, or accredit the examination or other assessment systems affiliated to it, as the University may, from time to time, determine;
10. (k) to establish, maintain or recognise, colleges, institutions, training establishments and research centres and affiliate such colleges, institutions, training establishments and research centres, in such manner and in accordance with such parameters as may be specified by its Statutes;
11. (l) to admit to its privileges any college or institution in the State subject to such conditions as may be laid down by the Statutes: Provided that no college or institution shall be so admitted except with the prior approval of the State Government ;
12. (m) to confer autonomous status on a college or an institution in the manner laid down by the Statutes ;
13. (n) to recognise industries, companies, national and international partners (as skill knowledge providers) for purposes of practical training of students in skills, and to define norms for recognition of competency attained by a student in such practical training in industry for the purpose of earning credits ;
14. (o) to define norms and measures of assessment for recognition of prior learning and competency in skills, based on relevant experience at work or in industry ; and to assign credits for such prior learning or competency in accordance with the credit framework ;
15. (p) to lay down norms for transfer of credits to promote new learning opportunities without compromising on learning outcomes;
16. (q) to introduce semester system, continuous evaluation and choicebased credit system enabling credit transfer and joint degree or dual degree programmes with other universities and academic institutions;
17. (r) to admit foreign students to the University as per the policy and schemes of the Government of India and the procedure approved by the Governing Council;
18. (s) to deliver blended or distance or open or online degrees in skill education with prior permission of competent authority ;
19. (t) to institute skill education, teaching or other academic positions, required by the University, with such qualifications and designations as it may deem fit, and to appoint persons on tenure, term or otherwise to such positions as may be prescribed ;
20. (u) to appoint persons working or having significant experience of working, in any other university or educational institution or any industry, possessing the required knowledge or competency, as adjunct, guest or visiting faculty of the University on such terms and for such duration as such University may decide;
    • (v) to lay down parameters for assessment certification and accreditation of skill educators and training providers in accordance with the norms prescribed, or in their absence, such norms as may be determined by the University;
21. (w) to create administrative and other non-teaching posts and to make appointments thereto with the permission of the Governing Council ;
    • (x) to determine, specify and receive payment of fees and other charges, as the University may deem fit, from students and any other person, institution, industry or body corporate for instructions and other services, including training, consultancy and advisory services, provided by such University;
22. (y) to hold, manage and dispose of any property belonging to, or vested in, the University in such manner as the University may deem fit for attainment of its objects: Provided that where land for the University has been provided free of cost or at subsidized cost by the State Government, such land may be disposed of only with the prior approval of the State Government ;
23. (z) to purchase or to take on lease or leave and license any land or building, premises or infrastructure which may be necessary or convenient as the University may deem fit for attainment of its objects ;
24. (za) to receive gifts, grants, donations or benefactions from the Central Government and the State Government and to receive bequests, donations and transfer of movable or immovable properties from testators, donors or transferors, as the case maybe;
25. (zb) to borrow with the previous approval of the State Government, on the security of the property of the University, money for the purposes of the University;
26. (zc) to invest the funds of the University in or upon such securities and transpose any investment from time to time in the nationalized banks in the interest of the University ;
27. (zd) to establish and maintain such infrastructure, including campuses, regional centres, skill centres and study centres within the territories of the State of Maharashtra, as may be necessary for attainment of its objects;
28. (ze) to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, such studies for assessment of skill needs as may be required in the future and to prepare and maintain a database of skills assessment and requirements in terms of the emerging employment market, as the case may be, relevant to the instructions imparted or proposed to be imparted in the University ;
29. (zf) to institute and award fellowships, scholarships, exhibitions, prizes and medals;
30. (zg) to collaborate with any other university or institution of national importance in offering joint degree programmes for bridging skill education with higher education ;
31. (zh) to promote international collaboration in education with institutions of education for the purpose of developing competency, knowledge and ability to global standards and award joint degrees with prior permission of competent authority;
32. (zi) to promote a spirit of entrepreneurship in skills amongst youth ;
33. (zj) to promote career guidance and counselling among the youth ;
34. (zk) to do all such things as may be necessary, incidental or conducive to the attainment of all or any of the objects of the University.

1. (1) No citizen of India shall be excluded from any office of the University or from membership of any of its authorities, bodies or committees, or from appointment to any post, or from admission to any degree, diploma, certificate or other academic distinction or course of study on the ground only of sex, race, creed, class, caste, place of birth, religious belief or profession or political or other opinion: Provided that, the University may establish, maintain, accredit or recognize any college or institution exclusively for women, reserved for women or reserved for person with disability.
2. (2) The University shall adopt Government policy and orders issued, from time to time, in regard to the reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, De-notified Tribes (Vimukta Jatis), Nomadic Tribes and Other Backward Classes, person with disability for appointment to different posts of teachers and non-teaching employees and for the purpose of admission of students in the affiliated or conducted or community colleges, university departments, university institutions or recognized institutions.
3. (3) The University shall adopt with the general policy of the State Government in regard to the welfare of various categories of weaker sections of the society, minorities, women and persons with disability as directed by the State Government, from time to time.

1. (1) Without prior approval of the State Government, the University shall not,-
   • (a) create new posts of teachers, officers or other employees;
   • (b) revise the pay, allowances, post-retirement benefits and other benefits of its teachers, officers and other employees;
   • (c) grant any special pay, allowance or other extra remuneration of any description whatsoever, including ex-gratia payment or other benefits having financial implications, to any of its teachers, officers or other employees;
   • (d) divert any earmarked funds received for any purpose other than that for which it was received ;
   • (e) transfer by sale or lease of immovable property;
   • (f) incur expenditure on any development work from the funds received from the State Government or University Grants Commission or any person or body for the purposes other than the purposes for which the funds are received ;
   • (g) take any decision regarding affiliated colleges resulting in increased, financial, liability, direct or indirect, for the State Government.
2. (2) The University shall be competent to incur expenditure, in consonance with the policies and directives of the State Government issued from time to time, from the funds received from,-
   • (a) various funding agencies without any share or contribution from the State Government;
   • (b) contributions received from individuals, industries, institutions, organizations or any person whosoever, to further the objectives of the University ;
   • (c) contributions or fees for academic or other services offered by the University for aided and self-supporting academic programs;
   • (d) development fund, or any other fund established by the University; for the purposes of,-
     • (i) creation of posts in various cadres;
     • (ii) granting pay, allowances and other benefits to the posts created through its own funds, provided that, those posts are not held by such persons, who are holding the posts for which Government contribution is received ;
     • (iii) starting any academic programs on self-supporting basis;
     • (iv) granting remunerations or incentives to its employees for performing any task assigned to them other than their regular duties and responsibilities ;
     • (v) incurring expenditure on any development work and on welfare activities of its students and employees: Provided that, there is no financial liability, direct or indirect, immediate or in future, on the State Government.
3. (3) The State Government may, in accordance with the provisions contained in this Act, for the purpose of securing and maintaining uniform standards in the University, by notification in the Official Gazette, prescribe a Standard Code providing for the classification, manner and mode of selection, appointment, induction and advance training, field exposure, deputation and reservation of post in favor of members of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, De-notified Tribes (Vimukta Jatis), Nomadic Tribes and Other Backward Classes, duties, workload, pay, allowances, post-retirement benefits, other benefits, conduct and disciplinary matters and other conditions of service of the officers, teachers and other employees of the University and the teachers and other employees in the affiliated colleges and recognized institutions (other than those managed and maintained by the State Government, Central Government and the local authorities) and the provisions for absorption of teachers and employees in the University departments, affiliated or conducted colleges and institutions who are aided and rendered surplus. However, the unaided teachers and employees who are rendered surplus in the University Departments affiliated or conducted colleges and institutions shall not be eligible, for absorption at the aided vacancies in the University affiliated or conducted colleges and institutions. Where such Code is prescribed, the provisions made in the Code shall prevail, and the provisions made in the Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations made under this Act, for matters included in the Code shall, to the extent to which they are inconsistent with the provisions of the Code, be invalid.
4. (4) The qualifications and experience for the purpose of appointment of non-teaching employees in the University, affiliated colleges and recognized institutions (other than those managed and maintained by the State Government, Central Government and the local authorities) shall be as may be specified by the Government, by an order published in the Official Gazette.
5. (5) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, if the circumstances so require and the State Government considers it necessary to do so, it may appoint, on deputation, a suitable person possessing the requisite qualifications to perform the duties of the Registrar, Finance and Accounts Officer or the Director of the Board of Assessment and Evaluation, for a period of not more than one year at a time and not more than three years in the aggregate.
6. (6) The State Government through the Director, Vocational Education and Training, or any officer not below the rank of Joint Director, shall have right to cause inspection of any affiliated, conducted, or autonomous college, recognized institution or University department or campus or regional centre or study centre.
7. (7) In case of failure of the University to exercise powers or perform duties specified in section 6, or where the University has not exercised such powers or performed such duties adequately, or where there has been a failure to comply with any order issued by the State Government, or under any other circumstances as the State Government may deem fit, the State Government may issue a directive to the University for proper exercise of such powers or performance of such duties or comply with the order ; and it shall be the duty of the University to comply with such direction. In case the University fails to comply with the directives, the State Government shall call upon the University to give reasons in writing so as to why the directives were not complied with. If the State Government is not satisfied with the explanation, it may refer the matter to the Chancellor for taking necessary action under sub-section (3) of section 10.
8. (8) The State Government shall carry out test audit or full audit of the accounts of a University, college, school, institution, campus, regional centre and study centre, regularly at such intervals as it may deem fit.

1. (1) The State Government may, from time to time, appoint one or more persons to review the work and progress of the University, including colleges, institutions, schools, campuses, regional centres maintained by it, and to submit a report thereon ; and upon receipt of that report, the State Government may, after obtaining the views of the Governing Council thereon through the Vice-Chancellor, 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. (2) The State Government shall have the right to cause an inspection to be made by such person or persons, as it may direct, of the University, its buildings, libraries, laboratories and equipment, and of any college, institution, school, campus, regional centre or study centre maintained by the University; and also of the examinations, teaching and other work conducted or done by the University and to cause an inquiry to be made in like manner in respect of any matter connected with the administration or finances of the University, colleges, institutions, schools, campuses, regional centres or study centres.
3. (3) The State Government shall, in every matter referred to in sub-section (2), give notice of its intention to cause an inspection or inquiry to be made, to the University, and the University shall have the right to make such representations to the State Government, as it may consider necessary.
4. (4) After considering the representations, if any, made by the University, the State Government may cause to be made such inspection or inquiry as is referred to in sub-section (3).
5. (5) Where any inspection or inquiry has been caused to be made by the State Government, the University shall be entitled to appoint a representative, who shall have the right to be present and be heard at such inspection or inquiry.
6. (6) The State Government may, if the inspection or inquiry is made in respect of the University or any college, institution, school, campuses, regional centres or study centres established or maintained by it, address the Vice-Chancellor with reference to the result of such inspection or inquiry together with such views and advice with regard to the action to be taken thereon, as the State Government may be pleased to offer, and on receipt of address made by the State Government, the Vice-Chancellor shall communicate to the Governing Council the views of the State Government with such advice as the State Government may offer upon the action to be taken thereon.
7. (7) The Governing Council shall communicate through the Vice-Chancellor to the State Government such action, if any, as it proposes to take or has been taken upon the result of such inspection or inquiry.
8. (8) Where, the Governing Council does not, within a reasonable time, take action to the satisfaction of the State Government, it may, after considering any explanation furnished or representation made by the Governing Council, issue such directions, as it may think fit, and the Governing Council shall comply with such directions.
9. (9) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section, the State Government may, by 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: Provided that, before making any such order, the State Government shall call upon the Vice-Chancellor to show cause why such an order should not be made, and, if any cause is shown within a reasonable time, it shall consider the same.
10. (10) The State Government shall have such other powers, in respect of the affairs of the University, as may be prescribed by the Statutes.