Chapter IV AUTHORITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY

The following shall be the authorities of the University, namely :-

1. (i) the Court,
2. (ii) the Executive Council,
3. (iii) the Academic Council,
4. (iv) the Faculties,
5. (v) the Boards of Studies,
6. (vi) such other bodies of the University as may be declared by the Statutes to be the authorities of the University.

1. (1) The Court shall consist of the following members, namely :- I. Ex-Officio Members Category A
   • (i) The Chancellor,
   • (ii) The Pro-Chancellor,
   • (iii) The Vice-Chancellor,
   • (iv) The Director of Instruction of the University,
   • (v) The Director of Research of the University,
   • (vi) The Director of Extension Education of the University,
   • (vii) The Director of Students' Welfare of the University,
   • (viii) The Deans of Faculties,
   • (ix) The Associate Deans,
   • (x) The Principals of affiliated colleges and recognised institutions,
   • (xi) The Registrar,
   • (xii) The Comptroller of the University. Category B 1[(i) The Minister of State for Agriculture, or the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Maharashtra State, as may be designated by the State Government,]
   • (ii) The Secretary to the Government of Maharashtra, Agriculture and Co-operation Department,
   • (iii) The Director of Agriculture, Maharashtra State,
   • (iv) The Director of Animal Husbandry, Maharashtra State,
   • (v) The Director of Agricultural Marketing and Rural Finance, Maharashtra State,
   • (vi) The Director of Education, Maharashtra State,
   • (vii) The Director of Technical Education, Maharashtra State,
   • (viii) The Director of Fisheries, Maharashtra State,
   • (ix) The Dairy Development Commissioner, Maharashtra State,
   • (x) The Chief Conservator of Forests, Maharashtra State,
   • (xi) The Chief Engineer (Irrigation), Maharashtra State,
   • (xii) The Chairman of the Maharashtra 2[State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education.] Category C The Vice-Chancellors of other Universities in the State. II. Other Members Category (A)—Deputed by the State Legislature—
   • (i) Three members elected by the Maharashtra Legislative Council from amongst its members,
   • (ii) Six members elected by the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from amongst its members. Category (B)—Nominated by the State Government—
   • (i) Four Krishi Pandits and Udyan Pandits,
   • (ii) Six progressive farmers, out of whom atleast one shall belong to the Scheduled Tribes and atleast one to the Scheduled Castes,
   • (iii) Four progressive animals, sheep or poultry breeders,
   • (iv) Four women social workers,
   • (v) Two progressive fishermen,
   • (vi) Two members representing processing co-operative societies,
   • (vii) Two members representing farming co-operative societies,
   • (viii) One member representing secondary teachers, teaching agricultural subjects in secondary schools,
   • (ix) One member representing primary teachers, teaching agricultural subjects in agricultural basic schools. Category (C)—Representatives of Zilla Parishads, Graduates Students, Academic Staff and Institutions—
   • (i) Eight Chairmen of Agricultural Committees of Zilla Parishads nominated by the State Government,
   • (ii) One member elected by registered graduates in each Faculty from amongst themselves, in the prescribed manner,
   • (iii) One member elected by post-graduate students, from amongst themselves, in the prescribed manner,
   • (iv) One member representing under-graduate students elected, in the prescribed manner, by the Chairmen of recognised Students' Councils, from amongst themselves,
   • (v) Four members representing academic staff (other than Principals) in the constituent and affiliated colleges and recognised institutions elected, in the prescribed manner, by persons serving on such staff, from amongst themselves,
   • (vi) One expert having knowledge of matters relating to village industries nominated by the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board,
   • (vii) The Chairman, Bombay State Co-operative Land Mortgage Bank—ex-officio,
   • (viii) The Chairman, Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank—ex-officio,
   • (ix) The Chairman, Maharashtra State Co-operative Marketing Federation—ex-officio. Category (D)—Donors Two members representing donors, whether individuals or institutions, donating Rs. 50,000 or more, in cash or otherwise, elected from amongst themselves, in the prescribed manner.
2. (2) The members representing the Maharashtra Legislative Council and Assembly shall hold office, so long as they are members of the said Council or Assembly shall hold office, so long as they are members of the said Council or a period of five years : 1[ Provided that, during this period, a person elected under clause
   • (v) of Category
   • (C) of Other Members shall continue to hold office of a member of the Court only so long as he is serving on the staff comprising that class, by which he was elected.]

1. (1) The Court shall, on the dates to be fixed by the Pro-Chancellor, meet twice in a year to transact its business, such meetings to be called the biannual meetings of the Court.
2. (2) The Pro-Chancellor may whenever he thinks fit, and shall, upon a requisition in writing signed by not less than thirty members of the Court, convene a special meeting of the Court.
3. (3) The Pro-Chancellor shall be ex-officio Chairman of the Court. On any ceremonial occasion such as a convocation, the Chancellor, if present, shall preside over the meeting of the Court.
4. (4) In the absence of Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor shall preside over the meeting of the Court.
5. (5) The Registrar shall be ex-officio Secretary of the Court.

1. (1) Subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by or under this Act, the Court shall exercise the following powers and perform the following duties, namely :-
   • (i) to outline broadly what programmes the University should have ;
   • (ii) to discuss and review the annual report of the University and make suggestions thereon ;
   • (iii) to consider the annual financial estimates prepared by the Executive Council and make suggestions thereon ;
   • (iv) to establish and maintain constituent colleges, departments, hostels, research stations, farms, schools, libraries, laboratories and demonstration centres and other facilities for students and employees ;
   • (v) to make provision for instruction, teaching and training in such branches of learning and courses of study as it may think fit, for conduct of research and for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge ;
   • (vi) to institute and maintain Professorships, Associate Professorships, Lectureships, Demonstratorships and other posts like Research Specialists, Extension Education Specialists, Teachers and the like, required by the University, as prescribed by the Statutes ;
   • (vii) to make, amend and repeal the Statutes ;
   • (viii) to grant affiliation to colleges and post-graduate institutions ;
   • (ix) to recognise institutions of higher learning and research and withdraw recognition thereof ;
   • (x) to sanction fellowships (including travelling fellowships), scholarships, studentships, medals and prizes,
   • (xi) to recommend the conferment of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions, to the Chancellor ;
   • (xii) to sanction honorary degrees or other academic distinctions ;
   • (xiii) to lay down scales of pay and conditions of employment of members of the staff in affiliated colleges and recognised institutions and to ensure the observance thereof, through the executive Council.
2. (2) The powers and duties 1[under clauses
   • (iv) to
   • (vi) and
   • (viii) to
   • (xiii) (all inclusive)] of sub-section
3. (1) shall not be exercised and performed, except upon the recommendations by the Executive Council.

1. (1) The Executive Council shall be the executive authority of the University, and shall consist of the following members, namely :—
   • (i) The Vice-Chancellor—ex-officio Chairman ;
   • (ii) The Director of Agriculture, or his nominee not below the rank of Joint Director of Agriculture ;
   • (iii) The Director of Animal Husbandry, or his nominee not below the rank of Joint Director of Animal Husbandry ;
   • (iv) A representative of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Government of India, Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Community Development and Co-operation ;
   • (v) Eight members elected by the Court from amongst its members who are not employees of the University or Government, two of whom shall be Chairmen of Agriculture Committees of the Zilla Parishads ;
   • (vi) The three Directors of Instruction, Research and Extension Education of the University ;
   • (vii) One Dean of a Faculty elected by the Academic Council by rotation ;
   • (viii) One academic staff member elected by the Academic Council (other than the Directors and the Deans) ;
   • (ix) One eminent agricultural scientist, nominated by the State Government. The Registrar shall be ex-officio Secretary of the Executive Council.
2. (2) A member who is a representative of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research or who is elected by the Academic Council or who is nominated by the State Government shall hold office for three years.

Powers and duties of the Executive Council Subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by or under this Act, the Executive Council shall exercise the following powers and perform the following duties, namely :-

1. (i) to frame the annual financial estimates of the University and submit the same to the Court for consultation before finalisation;
2. (ii) with the approval of the State Government, to borrow, on the security of University property, money for the purposes of the University;
3. (iii) to accept, subject to the Statutes, on behalf of the University bequests, donations and transfers of any movable and immovable property to the University;
4. (iv) to transfer any movable or immovable property on behalf of the University, a report of which shall be made to the Court if the transaction pertains to any immovable property;
5. (v) to manage and regulate the finances, accounts and investments of the University ;
6. (vi) to fix, demand and receive payment of such fees and other charges as may be prescribed;
7. (vii) to approve the academic standards in affiliated colleges and recognised institutions and ensure the observance thereof;
8. (viii) to make provision for-

1. (a) extension education of rural people,
2. (b) inservice training of the staff of the University, the concerned Departments of Government and the Zilla Parishads,
3. (c) physical and military training,
4. (d) sports and athletic clubs,
5. (e) students' welfare;
   • (ix) to arrange for and direct the inspection of affiliated colleges and recognised institutions and issue instructions for maintaining their efficiency and for ensuring proper conditions of employment for members of their staff; and in case of disregard of such instructions, to recommend modifications of the conditions of their affiliation or recognition or to take such other steps as it may deem proper;
   • (x) to make, amend and repeal the Regulations for matters solely concerning itself;
   • (xi) to accept, reject or refer back the Regulations framed by the Academic Council ;
   • (xii) to appoint examiners, fix their remuneration (if any) and to arrange for the conduct of, and for publishing the results of the University examinations and other tests;
   • (xiii) to appoint such Boards and Committees whether standing or temporary as it may deem necessary for the proper functioning of the University and define their constitution, functions and tenure;
   • (xiv) to delegate by Regulations any of its powers to the Vice-Chancellor, or such officer of the University or Board or Committee appointed by it as it may deem fit;
   • (xv) to determine the form, provide for the custody and regulate the use of the common seal of the University;
   • (xvi) to make provision for consumers' co-operative societies to serve the needs of students and staff of the University and of the colleges and institutions under its control;
   • (xvii) to exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be conferred or imposed on it by or under this Act and the Statutes; (xviii) to exercise all powers of the University not otherwise provided for in the Act or the Statutes and all other powers which are requisite to give effect to the provisions of this Act or the Statutes.

1. (1) The Executive Council shall meet once in every two months, or more often as may be considered necessary, and on such dates as may be fixed by the Vice-Chancellor.
2. (2) The Vice-Chancellor shall upon a requisition in writing signed by not less than eight members of the Executive Council, convene a special meeting of the Council, within twenty-one days of the receipt of such requisition.
3. (3) When a date has been fixed for the meeting of the Executive Council by the Vice-Chancellor under sub-secion
4. (1) or sub-section (2), the Registrar, shall give ten clear days' notice in writing to the members of the Council of such meeting.

1. (1) The Academic Council shall serve as an Advisory body of the University and shall have the right to advice the Vice-Chancellor and the Executive Council on all academic, research and extension education matters.
2. (2) The Academic Council shall consist of the following members, namely :-
   • (i) The Vice-Chancellor-ex-officio Chairman,
   • (ii) The Director of Instruction,
   • (iii) The Director of Research,
   • (iv) The Director of Extension Education,
   • (v) The Director of Students' Welfare,
   • (vi) The Deans of Faculties,
   • (vii) The Associate Deans,
   • (viii) The Principals of affiliated colleges and recognised institutions,
   • (ix) The Heads of Departments of the Faculties,
   • (x) The Chief Research Officers incharge of research stations,
   • (xi) The Chief Extension Education Officers,
   • (xii) One academic staff member from each Faculty, other than the Head of the Department elected by the Faculty,
   • (xiii) Two members elected by the Court, from amongst its members, who are not employees of the University or of Government. The Registrar shall be ex-officio Secretary of the Academic Council.
3. (3) The Academic Council may co-opt as members not more than four persons, for such period and in such manner, as may be prescribed, so as to provide adequate representation of different aspects of agriculture, and such co-opted members shall have the right to take part in the proceedings of the Council and also to vote like any other member of the Council.
4. (4) The Council shall meet at least once before the beginning of each trimester.

1. (1) Subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by or under the provisions of this Act, the Academic Council shall study and make recommendations on courses of study, curricula and the conduct of teaching, research and extension education within the University and the maintenance of the standards thereof.
2. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, the Academic Council shall exercise the following powers and perform the following duties, namely :-
   • (i) to make proposals for establishment of colleges, departments, research stations, libraries, laboratories, demonstration stations and such other activities necessary in the interest of agricultural improvement;
   • (ii) to make recommendations to the Executive Council for the institution of Professorships, Associate Professorships, Lecturerships, Demonstratorships and posts at research stations including extension education and in regard to their qualifications, duties, emoluments and other conditions of service;
   • (iii) to formulate, modify and revise schemes for the constitution or reconstitution of departments of teaching, research and extension education;
   • (iv) to make Regulations relating to courses of study leading to degrees, diplomas and certificates in consultation with the Faculty and Board of Studies concerned;
   • (v) to make Regulations regarding the admission of students to the University;
   • (vi) to make Regulations regarding the examinations conducted by the University and the conditions on which students shall be admitted to such examinations;
   • (vii) to make recommendations to the Executive Council regarding post-graduate teaching, research and extension education;
   • (viii) to make proposals for allocating subjects to the different Faculties;
   • (ix) to exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be conferred or imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act.

1. (1) The University shall institute all or any of the following Faculties, and such other Faculties as may be constituted by the Statutes, from time to time,—
   • (i) Agriculture (including Agricultural Economics and Animal Husbandry),
   • (ii) Veterinary Science,
   • (iii) Agricultural Technology,
   • (iv) Agricultural Engineering,
   • (v) Home Science,
   • (vi) Basic Sciences and Humanities,
   • (vii) Post-Graduate Studies,
   • (viii) Lower Agricultural Education,
   • (ix) Fisheries (including Marine Biology),
   • (x) Forestry. The subjects comprising each Faculty shall be determined by the Statutes.
2. (2) Each Faculty shall, subject to the recommendations of the Academic Council and the approval of the Executive Council, have charge of the teaching courses of study, the research work and the extension education programmes in various disciplines.
3. (3) There shall be a Dean of each Faculty. He shall be the Chief Academic Officer of the Faculty responsible for the due observance of the Statutes and Regulations. He shall be ex-officio Chairman of the Faculty.
4. (4) Each Faculty, other than the Lower Agricultural Education Faculty, shall consist of—
   • (i) Dean of the Faculty—ex-officio Chairman,
   • (ii) The Associate Deans in the Faculty,
   • (iii) The Heads of Departments,
   • (iv) One Professor of each Department other than the Head of the Department, to be elected by the academic staff members of the Department,
   • (v) The Chief Research Officers,
   • (vi) The Chief Extension Education Officers,
   • (vii) The Principals of affiliated colleges and recognised institutions in the related Faculty,
   • (viii) Two Associate Professors and two Lecturers, to be elected by the respective groups. The term of office of elected members shall be three years.
5. (5) The Faculty of Lower Agricultural Education shall consist of—
   • (i) Dean of the Faculty—ex-officio Chairman,
   • (ii) Two members representing each prescribed group of lower agricultural education, elected by heads of the institutions in the respective groups, from amongst themselves, The term of office of elected members shall be three years.
6. (6) A Faculty may co-opt concerned officers of the State Government or of any Zilla Parishad as members, whose number shall not be more than eight and who shall be chosen for such period and in such manner as may be prescribed, so as to provide adequate representation of extension education workers.
7. (7) Each Faculty shall meet at least once in a trimester, but sufficiently in advance of the Academic Council meeting in order that the recommendations of the Faculty can be considered by the Academic Council.

The Faculties though subordinate to the Academic Council in respect of taking decisions, may consider and make recommendations to the Council on all administrative and technical matters. As far as possible the Academic Council shall be guided by the relevant Faculty in its decisions. Barring the policy matters, the Dean of each Faculty shall take action on the Resolutions adopted by the Faculty, but under intimation to the Vice-Chancellor. Each Faculty may constitute such Boards of Studies, for such subjects, consisting of such members for such period and in such manner as may be prescribed. The other powers and duties of the Faculties shall be such as may be prescribed.