The Puducherry Higher Education Council Act, 2025

1. (1) This Act may be called the Puducherry Higher Education Council Act, 2025.
2. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,–

1. (a) "Chairperson" means the Chairperson of the Council;
2. (b) "College" means any College or any Institution maintained or approved by, or affiliated to, any University recognised by UGC and providing courses of study for admission to the examination of the University and includes Autonomous College;
3. (c) "Council" means the Puducherry Higher Education Council constituted under section 3;
4. (d) "Government" means the Administrator appointed under Article 239 of the Constitution of India by the President of India;
5. (e) "Higher Education" means an education, whether professional, technical or otherwise, except medical education and includes research studies leading to the award of a degree or diploma or certificate by a University recognized by UGC or an Institution approved by the University;
6. (f) "Institution" means an Academic Institution of higher education and research, not being a college, associated with and admitted to privileges of a University or maintained by a University and shall not include Institutions of Medical Education;
7. (g) "Member" means a Member of the Council;
8. (h) "Member-Secretary" means the Member-Secretary of the Council;
   • (i) "Notification" means the notification published in the Official Gazette of Government of Puducherry;
9. (j) "Prescribed" means prescribed by the rules made under this Act;
10. (k) "Regulations" means the regulations made by the Council under this Act;
11. (l) "Statutes", "Ordinances" and "Regulations" of a University means respectively, the Statutes, the Ordinances and the Regulations issued under the respective Acts of a University;
12. (m) "Teacher" means any regular teacher working in a University, Government College or Government aided or Unaided College or Institution whose appointment has been made or approved by or on behalf of the Government or a University;
13. (n) "Union Territory" means the Union territory of Puducherry;
14. (o) "University" means any University established by an Act of Parliament or Legislative Assembly of Puducherry;
15. (p) "University Grants Commission" means the Commission established under the University Grants Commission Act, 1956;
16. (q) "Vice-Chairperson" means the Vice-Chairperson of the Council.

1. (1) (a) The Government shall constitute the Council to be called as the Puducherry Higher Education Council consisting of the following Members, namely:–
   • (i) Minister for Higher Education Chairperson
   • (ii) An eminent Educationist who possess experience of not less than 3 years in Educational; Administration or has served in the rank of a Vice-Chancellor of Higher Educational; Institution or Member of any Apex Body of Higher Education nominated by the Government. Vice-Chairperson
   • (iii) Secretary to Government (Education). Member
   • (iv) State Project Director (RUSA/PM-USHA) Ex Officio Member
   • (v) Director (Directorate of Higher and Technical Education). Ex Officio Member
   • (vi) Nine Members to be nominated by the Government among the individuals representing any of the fields such as Arts, Science, Technology, Culture, Civil Society, Industry, Vocational Education, Law and Skill Development of which seven Members shall be from the Union Territory and two Members shall have preferably held positions of National eminence outside the Union Territory. Non-Officio Members
   • (vii) Vice-Chancellor of a University Member
   • (viii) Nominee of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Member
   • (ix) Two Principals of Autonomous or Affiliated Colleges of Pondicherry Central University or Puducherry Technological University. Members
   • (x) Member-Secretary appointed by the Government as provided under sub-section
2. (1) of section 8.
   • (b) The Non-Official Members shall have a term of six years and one third of the Members shall retire every two years. The Nomination Committee with the approval of Chairperson shall nominate three new Non-Official Members every two years.
   • (c) The Nomination Committee of the Council headed by a Member other than the Chairperson comprising of the Chairperson, Secretary to Government (Education), State Project Director (RUSA/PM-USHA), Director (Directorate of Higher and Technical Education), Member-Secretary and one of the Principals of Autonomous or Affiliated College, who is a Member of the Council, shall nominate new Members in replacement of retiring Members of the Council. The manner of functioning of the Nomination Committee shall be such as may be prescribed.
   • (d) The Member of the Council other than Non-Official Member shall be appointed by the Government and hold office for a term of six years or 65 years, whichever is earlier.
   • (e) The Council shall meet at least once in six months. The quorum for the Council meetings shall be not less than one third of the total Members of the Council including the Chairperson and the Member-Secretary.
3. (2) The Council shall be a Body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a common seal and shall by the said name sue and be sued.
4. (3) The headquarters of the Council shall be at Puducherry.

1. (1) No person shall be qualified for nomination or to continue as a Member of the Council, if on the date of such nomination or during his Membership in the Council, if he is,–
   • (a) of unsound mind;
   • (b) adjudicated as an un-discharged insolvent;
   • (c) sentenced by a Criminal Court to imprisonment for any offence involving moral turpitude;
   • (d) directly or indirectly by himself or through his partner has any share or interest in any work done by order of, or in any contract entered into by the Council;
   • (e) a person who had been terminated from any Government or a University service for an offence of misconduct or negligence of duty.
2. (2) In case of dispute or doubt as to whether a person is disqualified under sub-section (1), the decision of the Government shall be the final.
3. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, an employee of a University, both teaching and non-teaching or ministerial or any person in the management of an Affiliated College in whatever capacity, shall not be eligible for nomination as a Member of the Council under sub-clause
   • (vi) of clause (a) of sub-section
4. (1) of section 3 of this Act.

The Powers, General functions, Academic functions and Advisory functions of the Council shall be as follows, namely:– A.Powers of the Council

1. (i) It shall prepare a perspective plan for implementation of the Policies, evolve various programmes and determine the priorities of such programmes for implementation.
2. (ii) It shall propose general guidelines for the release of grants by the Government to Universities and other Institutions of higher education and advise the Government about the release of such grants to each University and other Institutions of higher education.
3. (iii) It shall frame regulations in accordance with this Act and the rules made thereunder.
4. (iv) It shall have such other powers as may be prescribed for the effective implementation of the programmes for the furtherance of the objectives of this Act. B.General Function
5. (i) It shall render advice to the Government, Universities and other Institutions of higher education in the Union territory of Puducherry.
6. (ii) It shall coordinate the roles of the Government, Universities and Apex regulatory agencies in spheres of higher education within the Union territory of Puducherry.
7. (iii) It shall evolve new concepts, programmes and perspective plans for development of higher education suo moto or on the suggestion by the Government or requests from Universities or other Institutions in the State.
8. (iv) It shall monitor the progress of implementation of the Developmental Programmes of Universities and Colleges taken up in the Union territory of Puducherry.
9. (v) It shall make suggestions to the Government to regulate the functioning of the Private Universities in the Union territory of Puducherry.
10. (vi) It shall promote cooperation and coordination of the Educational Institutions among themselves and explore the scope for interaction with related institutions in the fields of Arts, Science, Technology, Culture, Civil Society, Industry, Law, Vocational Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Career guidance/employment.
11. (vii) It shall suggest measures for the Academic and Financial Accountability of the Universities and other Institutions of higher education in the Union territory of Puducherry.
12. (viii) It shall prepare the Annual Budget and the Audited Statement of expenditure of the Council in such manner as may be prescribed.
13. (ix) It shall prepare an Annual Report making a self-appraisal and showing details of its performance. C. Academic Functions
14. (i) It shall encourage and promote innovations in curricular development, restructuring of courses and updating of syllabi in the Universities and Colleges.
15. (ii) It shall facilitate cooperation and coordination among the Colleges including aspects of offering courses under National Curriculum Framework that offers students the freedom to opt for different courses.
16. (iii) It shall devise steps to improve the standards of examinations conducted by Universities and Autonomous Colleges and suggest necessary reforms.
17. (iv) It shall facilitate training of teachers in Universities and Colleges.
18. (v) It shall promote and monitor publication of quality articles in Journals, text books, monographs and reference books of National and International repute/stature.
19. (vi) It shall develop programmes for greater academic cooperation and interaction between Universities and College teachers and to facilitate mobility of students and teachers within and outside the Union territory of Puducherry.
20. (vii) It shall advise on regulation of admission in Universities, Colleges and Institutions of higher education.
21. (viii) It shall review periodically, the existing guidelines and furnish recommendations for regulating admissions to various courses and for appointments to the posts of teachers and teacher administrators in Universities, Colleges and other Institutions of higher education.
22. (ix) It shall encourage sports, games, physical education and cultural activities in the Universities and Colleges.
23. (x) It shall reconfigure the Academic standards, requirements and curriculum based on employment prospects of students in close association with and interaction with prospective employers including Industries.
24. (xi) It shall prepare a Status Report on the working of the Universities and Colleges in the Union territory of Puducherry and furnish a copy thereof to the Government and such other authorities as the Government may specify. The manner of preparation of the report shall be such, as may be prescribed.
25. (xii) It shall perform such other functions for the realisation of the key objectives of access, equity and excellence in higher education. D.Advisory Function

1. (1) It shall advise the Government,–
   • (i) regarding the need for and the norms, if any, relating to the establishment of new Universities and Colleges besides new programmes and Departments in the existing Universities and Colleges.
   • (ii) regarding the Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of Universities in the Union territory of Puducherry and to suggest modification, if any.
   • (iii) on any University, College or Institution of higher education or any other matter relating to higher education and research which may be referred to the Council.
   • (iv) in determining the block maintenance grants and to lay down the basis for such grants.
2. (2) It shall perform such other functions as may be necessary for the furtherance of higher education in the Union territory of Puducherry.

1. (1) The Chairperson shall have the right to call for a report on any matter pertaining to the affairs of the Council and offer suggestions for the improvement of the functioning of the Council.
2. (2) The Chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the Council.

1. (1) The Vice-Chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the Council in the absence of the Chairperson.
2. (2) The Secretary to Government (Education) shall be the Vice-Chairperson whenever the position of Vice-Chairperson is vacant.
3. (3) The Vice-Chairperson shall exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be prescribed.
4. (4) The Vice-Chairperson shall be appointed by the Government for a term of six years or till he attains the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.
5. (5) The Vice-Chairperson shall not be eligible for reappointment for a second term.

1. (1) A senior Academician, serving or retired, having aptitude and experience in the field of education or who is or has been a Professor/Associate Professor with not less than ten years of experience, OR, a Senior Administrative Officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary to Government, shall be appointed by the Government as the Member-Secretary of the Council.
2. (2) The Member-Secretary shall be appointed by the Government for a term of six years or till he attains the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier.
3. (3) The Member-Secretary shall not be eligible for reappointment for a second term.
4. (4) The Member-Secretary shall be the Executive officer and legal representative and be responsible for the coordination of the functions of the Council.
5. (5) The Member-Secretary shall exercise such powers and perform such functions as may be prescribed.

1. (1) The Council shall meet at least once in six months.
2. (2) It shall have the power to act, notwithstanding any vacancy in the membership or any defect in the constitution thereof, and the proceedings of the Council shall be valid notwithstanding that some person, who was not entitled to be a Member, had attended, or otherwise had taken part in the proceedings of the Council.
3. (3) Any Member who has any direct or indirect interest in any matter likely to come up for consideration at a meeting of the Council shall, as soon as possible after the relevant circumstances have come to his knowledge, disclose in writing, the nature of his interest at such meeting and such disclosure shall be recorded in the proceedings of the Council and such Member shall not take part in any deliberation or meeting of the Council with respect to that matter.
4. (4) The meeting of the Council shall be convened by the Member-Secretary on the advice of the Chairperson or the Vice-Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson.
5. (5) The decisions of the meeting shall be taken by simple majority of those present and voting.

1. (1) The Vice-Chairperson, Member-Secretary or any Member may in writing under his signature, addressed to the Chairperson, resign his membership in the Council: Provided that he shall continue to hold such office until his resignation is duly accepted and communicated in writing.
2. (2) The salaries and allowances payable to the Vice-Chairperson and Member-Secretary shall be such as may be prescribed.
3. (3) If, a serving officer is appointed, he is not entitled for any salary or allowances, in addition, to that drawn in the post held by him.
4. (4) If, he is a retired officer, he shall be entitled to the amount, not exceeding, the ceiling of last pay drawn, minus, pension and Dearness Allowances.
5. (5) The retired officer shall, however, continue to draw pension and dearness relief on pension during the period of his engagement.
6. (6) The Non-official Member shall be eligible for such rate of travelling allowance, daily allowance and sitting fee as may be prescribed.
7. (7) Subject to the provisions of this section, the other terms and conditions of service of the Vice-Chairperson, the Member-Secretary and the Members shall be such as may be prescribed.

1. (1) If, at any time, it appears to the Government that a Member appointed or nominated has proved himself to be unfit to hold office or has been guilty of misconduct or neglect which in the opinion of the Government renders his removal from the membership of the Council as expedient, the Government may, after giving such Member, a reasonable opportunity of showing cause as to why he shall not be removed from the Council and after examining the same, decide whether to continue or remove such Member, as the case may be, from his membership and in case of such removal from the membership of the Council, it shall be made by notification.
2. (2) The Vice-Chairperson or the Member- Secretary shall not be removed except by an order of the Government passed on the ground of wilful omission or refusal to carry out the provisions of this Act or the rules or regulations made thereunder or for abuse of the powers vested in him after consideration of the report of an inquiry ordered by the Government in this behalf, as may be prescribed.

If, a casual vacancy arises in the office of a nominated or appointed Member, either by reason of his death, resignation, removal or otherwise, such vacancy shall be filled up by the Government by nomination or appointment as the case may be and such Member shall hold office only for the remaining term of the Member in whose place he was nominated or appointed.

1. (1) The funds of the Council shall include all sums which may, from time to time, be paid to it by the Government and all other receipts including any sum from the Central Government, the University Grants Commission or any other Authority, Institutions or person as may be prescribed.
2. (2) The Government may pay to the Council during every financial year such sums as may be considered necessary for the functioning of the Council and for the discharge of its responsibilities and duties.
3. (3) All expenditure incurred by the Council under or for the purposes of this Act shall be defrayed from out of the fund and any surplus remaining, after such expenditure has been met, shall be invested in such manner as may be prescribed.

1. (1) The Member-Secretary shall maintain the Accounts of the Council in such manner and in such form as may be prescribed.
2. (2) The Council shall prepare an Annual Statement of Accounts in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed.
3. (3) The Accounts of the Council shall be audited once in a year by such Auditor as the Government may appoint in this behalf.
4. (4) The Member-Secretary to the Council shall cause the Annual Audit Report to be printed and forward a printed copy thereof to each Member and shall place such report before the Council for consideration at its next meeting.
5. (5) The Council shall take appropriate action forthwith to remedy any defect or irregularity that may be pointed out in the Audit Report.
6. (6) The Accounts of the Council as certified by the Auditor together with the Audit Report along with the remarks of the Council thereon shall be forwarded to the Government within such time as may be prescribed.
7. (7) The Government shall, as soon as may be after the receipt of the Annual Accounts together with the Audit Report under sub-section (6), cause the same to be laid before the Legislative Assembly of Puducherry.

1. (1) The Council shall prepare an Annual Report of its activities under this Act during that year and submit the report to the Government.
2. (2) The Government shall, as soon as may be after the receipt of a Report under sub-section (1), cause the same to be laid before the Legislative Assembly of Puducherry.

No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Council or any Member or Officer or employee of the Council for anything which is done or intended to be done in good faith in pursuance of the provisions of this Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder.

The Council shall, with the prior approval of the Government appoint such Officers and staff, as it deems necessary for the discharge of its functions under this Act. The terms and conditions of service of the Officers and staff of the Council shall be such as may be specified in the regulations.

The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson, the Members, the Officers and Staff of the Council, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act or any rule or regulation or order or direction made or issued under this Act shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of sub-section

1. (28) of section 2 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 as may be applicable.

1. (1) The Council shall with the prior approval of the Government make such rules, as may be necessary, to give effect to the provisions of this Act.
2. (2) The Council may, with the prior approval of the Government, make regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder for carrying out all or any of the purposes of this Act.
3. (3) Every rule or regulations made under sub-section
4. (1) or sub-section (2), shall as soon as it is made, be laid before the Legislative Assembly of Puducherry.

1. (1) If, any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Government may, by order, as the occasion may require, do anything not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act which appears to them to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty: Provided that such orders shall be issued as expeditiously as may be possible and, in any case, not exceeding four weeks from the date, the necessity arises.
2. (2) Every order issued under sub-section
3. (1) shall as soon as it is made be laid before the Legislative Assembly of Puducherry.