Chapter IV AUTHORITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY

The following shall be the authorities of the university, namely:

1. (1) the Vyavasthapana Parishad (the Management Council);
2. (2) the Vidvat-Parishad (the Academic Council);
3. (3) the Sankaya (Faculties);
4. (4) the Adhyayan Mandala (the Boards of Studies);
5. (5) the Pariksha Mandala (the Boards of Examination);
6. (6) the Niyojana-Vikas Mandala (the Board of Planning and Development of the University);
7. (7) the Vistar Seva Mandal (the Board of Extension services);
8. (8) such other bodies of the university as are designated by the Statutes to be the authorities of the university.

1[24A. Power of Government to specify eligibility conditions for being member of any authority of university- Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provisions of this Act, in consultation with the Kuladhipati, the State Government may, by an order published in the Official Gazette, specify the eligibility conditions for being appointed or nominated as a member of any authority of the university.]

1. (1) The Vyavasthapana Parishad shall be the principal executive authority to manage, lay down policy and formulate Statutes and Ordinances, administer the affairs of the university and shall carry out such duties which are not specifically assigned to any other authority.
2. (2) It shall consist of the following members, namely:-
   • (i) Kulaguru-Adhyaksha (Ex-officio);
   • (ii) Sama-Kulaguru-Sadasya (Ex-officio);
   • (iii) one Adhishthata as prescribed by Statutes;
   • (iv) one person nominated by the Kuladhipati preferably from amongst the members of the Sanskrit Sthai Samiti of the Government of Maharashtra;
   • (v) one member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly to be nominated by the speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly;
   • (vi) one member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council to be nominated by the chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council;
   • (vii) the Secretary, Higher Education or his nominee not below the rank of Deputy Secretary (Ex-Officio);
   • (viii) the Director of Higher Education or his nominee not below the rank of Joint Director of Higher Education (Ex-officio);
   • (ix) one Head of the University Department as prescribed by statutes;
   • (x) one Head of a college, institute, or Pathashala as prescribed by Statutes;
   • (xi) one teacher from the University Departments as prescribed by statutes;
   • (xii) one teacher who is not principal from amongst the teachers of the affiliated colleges and recognised institutions with ten years teaching experience as prescribed by statutes;
   • (xiii) one Adhyaksha of Adhyayan Mandala as prescribed by statutes;
   • (xiv) one member of the Vidvat-Parishad nominated by the Kulaguru;
   • (xv) Sanchalaka-Niyojana-Vikasa Mandala (Ex-officio).
3. (3) The Kulasachiva of the university shall be ex-officio Secretary of the Vyavasthapana Parishad, but shall not have the right to vote.
4. (4) The Vitta-Lekha Adhikari and the Pariksha Niyantraka shall be permanent invitees of the Vyavasthapana Parishad, but they shall have no right to vote.
5. (5) There shall be not less than four meetings of the Vyavasthapana Parishad in a year and the rules of procedure for conduct of business to be followed at a meeting including the quorum at the meeting and such other matters in relation to meetings as may be necessary shall be such as may be prescribed.

The Vyavasthapana Parishad shall exercise the following powers and perform the following duties, namely:-

1. (1) make such provisions, as may enable colleges, institutions, schools and Pathashalas to undertake specialised studies, and where necessary or desirable, organise and make provision for common laboratories, libraries, museums and equipments for teaching and research;
2. (2) establish departments, colleges, schools, institutions of higher learning, research and specialised studies, on the recommendation of the Vidvat-Parishad;
3. (3) make, amend or repeal Statutes and Ordinances;
4. (4) hold, control and arrange for administration of assets and properties of the university;
5. (5) consider and approve the budget estimates prepared by the Vitta-Lekha Samiti with its own modifications, if any;
6. (6) enter into, vary, carry out and cancel contracts on behalf of the university;
7. (7) determine the forms of common seal for the university, and provide for its custody and use;
8. (8) accept, on behalf of the university, trusts, bequests, donations and transfer of any movable or immovable property to the university;
9. (9) transfer by sale, or otherwise, any movable property on behalf of the university;
10. (10) borrow, lend or invest funds on behalf of the university as recommended by the Vitta-Lekha Samiti;
11. (11) lay down policy for administrating funds at the disposal of the university for specific purposes;
12. (12) provide buildings, premises, furniture, apparatus and other means needed for the conduct of the work of the university;
13. (13) confer honorary degrees and academic distinctions, institute and confer such degrees, diplomas, certificates, honorary degrees and other academic distinctions as recommended by the Vidvat-Parishad and arrange for convocation for conferment of the same, as prescribed by the Ordinances;
14. (14) institute fellowships, travelling fellowships, scholarships, studentships, exhibitions, awards, medals and prizes, and prescribe rules therefor in accordance with the Regulations made in this behalf;
15. (15) make Regulations for collaboration with other universities, institutions and organisations for mutually beneficial academic programmes on the recommendation of the Niyojana-Vikasa Mandala;
16. (16) create posts of university teachers and non-vacation academic staff on the recommendation of the Vidvat-Parishad as and when required;
17. (17) lay down by Statutes, on the basis of qualification and terms and conditions of service and other guidelines approved by the State Government from time to time, and the procedure for appointment of university teachers and non-vocation academic staff and fix their emoluments and norms of workload and conduct and discipline;
18. (18) create posts of officers and other employees of the university;
19. (19) lay down by Statutes the procedures for appointment of officers and other employees of the university, qualifications, mode of recruitment, pay scales, terms and conditions of service including conduct, discipline and their duties;
20. (20) prescribe by Statutes procedure for appointment of teachers, officers and other employees in all institutions and colleges, schools and Pathashalas affiliated to the university, terms and conditions of their service and rules and procedures for their appointments;
21. (21) prescribe fees and other charges;
22. (22) prescribe honoraria, remunerations and fees and travelling and other allowances for paper-setters, examiners and other examination staff, visiting faculty and for such other services rendered to the university;
23. (23) receive and consider report of the working of the university from the Kulaguru periodically as provided by the Ordinances;
24. (24) consider and approve the academic calendar of the university as per the Statutes, and guidelines from the University Grants Commission for next academic year before the expiry of the current academic year;
25. (25) consider the perspective plan for the academic development of the university, prepared by the Niyojana-Vikasa Mandala;
26. (26) assess and approve the feasibility of proposals from the Vidvat-Parishad for academic programmes;
27. (27) consider and adopt the annual report, annual accounts and audit report;
28. (28) cause an inquiry to be made in respect of any matter concerning the proper conduct, working and finances of colleges, institutions, schools and pathashalas or department of the university;
29. (29) delegate, any of its powers, except the power to make, amend or repeal Acts, to the Kulaguru or such officer or authority of the university or a committee appointed by it, as it thinks fit;
30. (30) approve the budget estimate prepared by the Vitta-Lekha Samiti.

1. (1) The Vidvat-Parishad shall be responsible for laying down the academic policies in regard to maintenance and improvement of standards of teaching, research, collaboration programmes in academic matters and evaluation of workload of the teachers.
2. (2) It shall consist of the following members, namely:-
   • (a) the Kulaguru-Adhyaksha;
   • (b) the Sama-Kulaguru;
   • (c) the Adhishthatas of the Sankayas;
   • (d) the Adhyakshas of the Adhyayana Mandalas;
   • (e) the Sanchalaka of the Vistara Seva Mandala;
   • (f) one principal each of the conducted or affiliated colleges, institutions or pathashalas to be nominated by rotation as prescribed by statutes;
   • (g) one professor from amongst the professors in the university departments or institutions, nominated by the Kulaguru;
   • (h) one teacher representing each faculty to be co-opted by the Vidvat-Parishad from amongst the teachers having not less than 10 years teachers experience, other than principals of colleges, Heads of university departments and Heads of recognised institutions as prescribed by statutes;
     • (i) one head of an academic services unit of the university, nominated by the Kulaguru;
   • (j) two scholars nominated by the Kuladhipati from amongst the Sanskrit institution in the State;
   • (k) two eminent Sanskrit scholars nominated by the Kulaguru;
   • (l) the Director of Higher Education, Maharashtra State or his nominee not below the rank of Joint Director Higher Education or his nominee;
   • (m) Honorary Sanskrit Organiser, if any, of the Government of Maharashtra.
3. (3) The Kulasachiva shall act as the Secretary of the Vidvat-Parishad, but shall have no right to vote.
4. (4) The Vidvat-Parishad shall meet at least twice a year.

1. (1) The Vidvat-Parishad shall be the principal academic authority of the university and shall be responsible for regulating and maintaining the standards of teaching, research and examinations in the university.
2. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, the Vidvat-Parishad shall exercise the following powers and perform the following duties, namely :
   • (a) recommend in the Vyavasthapana-Parishad regarding institution of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions;
   • (b) recommend to the Vyayasthapana-Parishad to make, amend or repeal Acts on issue related to academic matters;
   • (c) make, amend or repeal Regulations on matters specified in section 48 of this Act;
   • (d) allocate subjects to the faculties;
   • (e) make proposals for the establishment of conducted colleges, schools, departments, institutions of higher learning, research and specialised studies, academic services units, libraries, laboratories and museums in the university;
   • (f) consider and make recommendations regarding new proposal for creation of professorships, associate professorships, readerships, lectureships and non-vocational academic staff required by the university;
   • (g) recommend to the State Government or otherwise of the qualifications as prescribed by the University Grants Commission for different categories of teachers and non-vocational academic staff, and for a particular post in these categories, whether in the university or in any affiliated college or a recognised institution, and prescribed additional qualifications, if any;
   • (h) make proposals to the Vyavasthapana-Parishad for the institution of fellowships, travelling fellowships, scholarship, studentships, medals and prizes and make regulation for their award;
     • (i) prescribe qualifications and norms for appointment of paper-setters, examiners, moderators and others, concerned with the conduct of examinations;
   • (j) appoint committees to review periodically the utility and practicability of the existing courses of study and the desirability or necessity of reviewing or modifying them in the light of new knowledge or changing societal requirements;
   • (k) make proposal for the conduct of interfaculty and area or regional studies, common facilities, such as hobby centres, museums, etc.;
   • (l) prescribe norms for recognition of any member of the staff of an affiliated college or recognised institution as a teacher of the university;
   • (m) prescribe norms for granting affiliation, continuation of affiliation, extension of affiliation to colleges, and recognition, continuation of recognition, extension of recognition to institutions of Sanskrit learning and research or specialised studies;
   • (n) grant affiliation to colleges or institutions in accordance with the provisions of the Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations;
   • (o) accord recognition to institutions of Sanskrit learning, research or specialised studies as prescribed;
   • (p) make proposals to the Vyavasthapana-Parishad to prescribe fees and other charges;
   • (q) generally, advice the university on all academic matters and submit to the Vyavasthapana-Parishad feasibility reports on academic programmes;
   • (r) exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be conferred or imposed on it by or under this Act, the Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations.

1. (1) The Pariksha Mandala shall be the authority for conducting the examinations and making policy decisions in regard to organising and holding examinations, improving the system of examination, appointing the paper-setters, examiners, moderators and also prepare the schedule of dates of holding examinations and declaration of the results. The Pariksha Mandala shall also oversee and regulate the conduct of examinations in the institutions, colleges, pathashalas and university departments.
2. (2) The Pariksha Mandala shall deal with all the matters in relation to examination and shall hear and decide the complaint received pertaining to any matter arising out of conduct of examinations.
3. (3) The Pariksha Mandala shall consist of the following members, namely :-
   • (a) Kulaguru, Chairman;
   • (b) Sama-Kulaguru, if any;
   • (c) the Adhishthatas of the Sankaya;
   • (d) one head of university department, not below the rank of Reader, nominated by the Kulaguru;
   • (e) one principal other than Adhishthata nominated by the Vidvat-Parishad;
   • (f) one teacher other than the heads of departments or principals, nominated by the Vidvat-Parishad;
   • (g) Director of Higher Education; or his nominee not below the rank of Joint Director;
   • (h) Pariksha Niyantraka, Member-Secretary.

1. (1) The Pariksha Mandala shall ensure proper organisation of re-examinations and tests of the university, including moderation, tabulation and the declaration of results.
2. (2) The Mandala shall meet at least once in each academic terms.
3. (3) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of duties as mentioned in sub-section (1), the Mandala shall exercise the following duties, namely :-
   • (a) to appoint papersetters, examiners and moderators from amongst the persons included in the panels prepared by the respective Adhyayana Mandala and, where necessary, having regard to the recommendations made by the committee under clause (b) of sub-section (6) remove them or debar them;
   • (b) to undertake, exercise and experiment in examination reforms;
   • (c) to exercise such other powers in relation to examinations as may be assigned to it by or under the Ordinance.
4. (4) In case of any emergency requiring immediate action to be taken, the Adhyaksha of the Mandala or any other officer or person authorised by him in that behalf, shall take such action as he thinks fit and necessary, and shall report at the next meeting of the Mandala the action taken by him.
5. (5) (a) In order to appoint paper-setters, examiners and moderators, the Pariksha Mandala shall constitute committee, for every subject consisting of,-
   • (i) the Sama-Kulaguru, if any, Adhyaksha;
   • (ii) the Adhishthata of the concerned Sankaya;
   • (iii) the Adhyaksha of the concerned Adhyayana Mandala;
   • (iv) one member of the Adhyayana Mandala nominated by it from amongst its members.
   • (b) The Pariksha Niyantraka shall act as Secretary of such committees;
   • (c) The committees shall prepare lists of persons for various examinations and tests, from amongst persons, included in the panels to be prepared by the Adhyayana Mandala; and shall submit them to the Pariksha Mandala, which shall then appoint paper-setters, examiners and moderators and where necessary referees;
   • (d) The committee shall obtain three sets of question papers in sealed covers in the respective subject. The Adhyaksha of the committee shall draw at random one of such sealed covers containing question papers. This sealed cover with seals intact shall then be sent to the press.
6. (6) (a) In order to investigate and take disciplinary action for malpractices and lapses on the part of candidates, paper-setters, examiners, moderators, referees, teachers or any other person connected with the conduct of examinations, Pariksha Mandala shall constitute a committee of not more than five persons of whom one shall be Chairman;
   • (b) Such a committee shall submit its report and recommendations to the Pariksha Mandala which shall take disciplinary action in the matter as it deems fit.
7. (7) The Pariksha Mandala shall prepare the financial estimates for incorporation in the budget of the university and shall submit the same to the Vitta-Lekha Adhikari.
8. (8) The Mandala shall arrange for strict vigilance during the conduct of the examinations so as to avoid use of unfair means by the students, teachers, invigilators, supervisors, etc.

1. (1) The Sankayas (Faculties) shall be the principal academic co-ordinating authorities of the university in respect of studies and research in relation to the subjects included in the faculty, and also in respect of studies and research in multi-faculties.
2. (2) The university shall have such faculties as are prescribed by the Statutes.
3. (3) A faculty shall be constituted, divided, combined with or abolished, only with the approval of the Vidvat-Parishad and as prescribed by the Statutes.
4. (4) The faculty shall comprise of such subjects as are prescribed by the Statutes.
5. (5) the faculty shall consist of the following members—
   • (a) the Adhishthata of the faculty ex-officio Chairman, to be nominated by the Kulaguru from amongst the Professor or the Readers having not less than ten years’ teaching experience;
   • (b) Chairman of each Adhyayana Mandala for the subjects comprised in the faculty;
   • (c) three members of each Adhyayana Mandala, to be nominated by the Adhishthata.

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

1. (a) to consider and report on any matter referred to it by the Vyavasthapana Parishad, Vidvat-Parishad, or Niyojana-Vikasa Mandala;
2. (b) to consider and approve recommendations of the Adhyayana Mandalas in the faculty, and matters related to more than one Adhyayana Mandalas not affecting any other faculty and recommend to the Vidvat-Parishad for action as it thinks fit;
3. (c) to consider and recommend to the Vidvat-Parishad, the academic matters within its purview, which effect any other faculty or faculties or which involve administrative or financial implications;
4. (d) to consider and recommend to the Vidvat-Parishad establishment of new courses, interdisciplinary courses and short-term training programmes, referred to it by the Boards of Studies;
5. (e) to make recommendations to the Vidvat-Parishad in respect of the requirements regarding the conduct of postgraduate or undergraduate instruction, teaching, research and training in the university institutions or departments, affiliated colleges and recognised institutions, schools and Pathashalas;
6. (f) to ensure that guidelines and rules framed for the following matters by the Vidvat-Parishad are implemented, namely :-
   • (i) long-term curriculum development;
   • (ii) faculty development;
   • (iii) teaching or learning material development;
   • (iv) research in educational matters with particular reference to colleges ;
7. (g) to plan and organise inter-departmental and inter-faculty programmes in consultation with the Adhyayana Mandala, other faculties, and Niyojana-Vikasa Mandala;
8. (h) to recommend to the academic staff college and the Vidvat-Parishad regarding organisation of refresher and orientation course for teachers of affiliated colleges and university departments especially for the revised or newly introduced or interdisciplinary courses of studies;
   • (i) to prepare and submit the annual report of the functioning for the faculty to the Kulaguru;
9. (j) to consider any other academic matter which may be referred to it.

1. (1) There shall be an Adhyayana Mandala (Board of Studies) for every subject or group of subjects, as prescribed.
2. (2) The Adhyayana Mandala shall consist of,-
   • (a) the Head of the university department or institution in the relevant subjects: Provided that, where there is no university department in the subject, the Mandala shall at its first meeting co-opt the Head of the Department from an affiliated college having postgraduate teaching in that subject.
   • (b) three Heads of Departments in affiliated and conducted college as prescribed.
3. (3) The Mandala, at its first meeting, shall co-opt,
   • (a) one teacher having not less than ten years teaching experience from amongst the teachers in the university Department who is not a Head of the Department;
   • (b) one teacher having not less than ten years teaching experience, from amongst the teachers of affiliated or conducted colleges having teaching in the subject;
   • (c) one teacher having not less than ten years teaching experience, from amongst the teachers of the affiliated Pathashalas.
4. (4) The Chairman of the Mandala shall be nominated by the Kulaguru from amongst its members.

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

1. (a) to recommend, upon reference to it by the Vyavasthapana Parishad or Vidvat-Parishad or the Sankaya concerned or otherwise, the courses of study in the subject or group of subjects within its purview;
2. (b) to recommend books, including text-books, supplementary reading, reference books and other material for such courses of study;
3. (c) to recommend to the Vidvat-Parishad for its approval the preparation and publication of selections or anthologies or writing or work of authors and other masters as well as material consequent to curriculum development by the teachers of the university for its introduction in the syllabi of the courses of study under the purview of the Board in accordance with the Regulations made by the Vidvat-Parishad in that respect;
4. (d) to advise the faculty or faculties concerned regarding improvements in the courses of study;
5. (e) to recommend names of suitable persons for inclusion in the panels for appointment of paper-setters, examiners and moderators at the university examinations in the subject by the Pariksha Mandala;
6. (f) to recommend to the Pariksha Mandala, names of persons suitable for appointment as referees for evaluation of theses and dissertations and for conduct of viva-voce examinations, wherever prescribed, for awarding postgraduate, doctorate and higher degrees ;
7. (g) to suggest organisation of orientation and refresher courses in the subject;
8. (h) to prepare requirements in respect of teaching of the subject at various levels in respect of teachers and their qualifications, library, laboratory equipment and consumables for formulating the norms and requirements for granting affiliation or extension or continuation of affiliation to colleges and for granting recognition or extension or continuation of recognition to institutions by the university.

1. (1) There shall be a Vistara Seva Mandala (Board of Extension Services) of the university to oversee the various academic and extension programmes of the university. The Mandala shall consist of,-
   • (a) The KulaguruAdhyaksha;
   • (b) three persons, engaged in the field of extension services in Sanskrit who are residents within the university area, nominated by the Kulaguru;
   • (c) the Director of Higher Education or his nominee not below the rank of Deputy Director;
   • (d) one of the Station Directors of All India Radio (Akashavani) in the university area, to be nominated by the Kulaguru in consultation with the Central Government;
   • (e) Sanchalaka, Vistara Seva Mandala-Sadasya-Sachiva.
2. (2) The Mandala shall meet at least twice a year.
3. (3) The Mandala shall prepare an annual programme of its activities and shall review the same periodically.

The constitution, powers and the functions or duties of the authorities of the university, not laid down by any of the provisions of this Act shall be as prescribed by statutes.

Save as otherwise provided by or under the provisions of this Act, the term of office of the nominated, appointed or co-opted members of any authority shall be five years from the date of its first meeting, irrespective of the date on which a member enters upon his office.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or the Statutes made thereunder, where a person, appointed, nominated or co-opted as an officer of university or a member of any of the authorities or bodies of the university by virtue of his being eligible to be so appointed, nominated or co-opted as such an officer or a member under any of the categories of officers or members specified by or under the relevant provisions of this Act in relation to such office, authority or body, he shall cease to be such an officer of the university or a member of such an authority or a body as soon as he ceases to belong to such category and shall be deemed to have vacated his office as such officer or member.

A person shall be disqualified for being a member of any of the authorities of the university, if he-

1. (a) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court;
2. (b) is an undischarged insolvent;
3. (c) has been convicted of any offence involving moral turpitude;
4. (d) is conducting, or engaging himself in, private tuitions or private coaching classes;
5. (e) has been punished for indulging in, or promoting, unfair practices in the conduct of any examination in any form anywhere.

Save as otherwise provided by or under the provisions of this Act, each authority of the university while acting and exercising its powers and discharging its functions or duties assigned to it by or under the provisions of this Act shall have the exclusive jurisdiction to deal with and decide the matters assigned to it.

1. (1) A member, other than an ex-officio member, may resign by writing under his signature. A nominee of the Kuladhipati may resign by addressing to the Kuladhipati and any other member may resign by addressing to the Kulaguru. The person shall cease to be a member upon his resignation being accepted by the Kuladhipati or the Kulaguru, as the case may be.
2. (2) If a person nominated, appointed or co-opted to an authority or body remains absent without prior permission of the authority or body for three consecutive meetings, he shall be deemed to have vacated his membership and he shall cease to be a member from the date of the third such meeting in which he has remained absent.

1. (1) Save as otherwise provided by this Act, all matters with regard to the conduct of meetings of the authorities, bodies or committees, if any, constituted by the university or any authority shall be such as may be prescribed.
2. (2) A meeting of an authority or body shall be convened on the date determined by the Adhyaksha by a notice issued by its Sadasya-Sachiva.
3. (3) Except as otherwise provided, the quorum for a meeting shall ordinarily be one-third of the number of the sitting members. If there is no quorum, the meeting shall be adjourned by the Adhyaksha to a specific time on the same day or a letter date and no quorum shall be necessary for such adjourned meeting.
4. (4) Where no provision is made by or under this Act for an Adhyaksha to preside over a meeting of any authority or body of the university or when the President or Adhyaksha so provided for is absent and no provision is made for any other person to preside, the members present shall elect a person from amongst themselves to preside at the meeting.
5. (5) Save as otherwise provided all items, questions, matters or proposals on the agenda shall be decided by a majority of votes of members present. In case of equality of votes, the Adhyaksha shall have a casting vote. The Sachiva, if not a member, shall have right to participate in the deliberations but shall not have the right to vote.

1. (1) When any vacancy occurs in the office of a member, other than an ex-officio member of any authority or other body of the university before the expiry of his normal term, the vacancy shall be filled, as soon as may be, by nomination of a person by the Kulaguru on the basis of seniority as prescribed.
2. (2) The person so nominated shall be a person who is otherwise, eligible to be a member of the said authority or body from the same category. The person so nominated shall hold office only so long as the member in whose place he has been nominated, would have held it, if the vacancy had not occurred.