The Shri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University, Punjab Act, 2026

(1) This Act may be called the Shri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University, Punjab Act, 2026. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification, appoint.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- (a) "College" means an institution maintained by or admitted to the privileges of the University under this Act; (b) "Principal" means the head of a College, and includes, when there is no Principal, the person for the time being duly appointed to act as Principal, and, in the absence of the Principal or the acting Principal, a Vice-Principal duly appointed as such; (c) “State Government” means the Government of the State of Punjab in the Department of Higher Education; (d) "Statutes", "Ordinances" and "Regulations" means, respectively, the Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the University made by or under this Act; (e) "Teachers" includes Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors and other persons imparting instruction in the University or in any College; and (f) "University" means Shri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University, Punjab as incorporated under section 3 of this Act.

(1) The first Chancellor and the first Vice-Chancellor of the University and the first members of the Senate, the Syndicate and the Academic Council and all persons who may hereafter become such officers or members, so long as they continue to hold such office or membership, are hereby constituted a body corporate by the name of Shri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University, Punjab. (2) The University shall have perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, and to contract, and may by the said name sue and be sued. (3) The University shall be located at such place as the State Government may, by notification, specify.

The University shall exercise the following powers and perform the following duties, namely:- (i) to make provision for imparting education in the humanities, sciences, learned professions and such other branches of learning and courses of study as it may think fit and to make provision for research and for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge; (ii) to promote the academic excellence, innovation, and research in higher education which shall focus on advanced academic frameworks in contemporary and future-oriented disciplines; (iii) to make provision for study and research on the life and teachings of Shri Guru Teg Bahadur and other Sikh Gurus and their cultural and religious impact in the context of Indian and world civilizations; (iv) to promote Punjabi studies, to provide for research in Punjabi language and literature and to undertake measures for the development of Punjabi language, literature and culture; (v) to hold examinations and to grant and confer degrees, diplomas and other distinctions to and on persons who,– (a) shall have pursued a course of study in the University or in one of its institutions, unless exempted therefrom in the manner prescribed by the Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations, and shall have passed the examination prescribed by the University; or (b) shall have carried on research under conditions prescribed by the Ordinances and Regulations; (vi) to confer honorary degrees in the manner laid down by the Statutes; (vii) to institute professorships, readerships, lectureships and any other teaching posts required by the University and to appoint persons to such professorships, readerships, lecturerships and other posts; (viii) to institute and award fellowships, scholarships, studentships, exhibitions and prizes in accordance with the Statutes and Ordinances; (ix) to institute and maintain Halls and Hostels; (x) to supervise and control the residence and discipline of the students of the University and to make arrangements for promoting their health and general welfare; (xi) to organize University laboratories, libraries, museums and other equipment for teaching and research; (xii) to demand and receive such fees and other charges as may be prescribed by the Ordinances; (xiii) to hold and manage trusts and endowments which may be created in favour of the University; (xiv) to institute and manage,- (a) Printing and Publication Departments; (b) University Extension Boards; (c) Information Bureau; and (d) Employment Bureau; (xv) to make special provision for the spread of University education among classes and communities which are educationally backward; (xvi) to make provision for,- (a) the maintenance of National Cadet Corps or other similar training corps; (b) physical and military training; (c) students associations; and (d) sports and athletic clubs; (xvii) to prepare, translate and publish, and to assist other bodies and individuals in the preparation, translation and publication of books, journals, periodicals and any other material; (xviii) to create administrative, ministerial and other necessary posts and to make appointments thereto; (xix) to receive gifts, donations or benefactions from the Government and to receive bequests, donations and transfers of moveable or immoveable property from testators, donors or transferors, as the case may be; (xx) to frame Statutes, Ordinances or Regulations for all or any of the aforesaid purposes; and to alter, modify or rescind the same; and (xxi) to do all such other acts and things, whether incidental to the powers aforesaid or not, as may be requisite in order to further the objects of the University.

(1) The State Government may, by notification, specify the limits of the area in which the University shall exercise its powers. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no educational institution beyond the limits of the area specified under sub-section (1) shall be associated with or admitted to any privileges of the University. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, any educational institution situated within the limits of the area specified under sub-section (1) shall, with effect from such date, as may be notified in this behalf by the State Government, be deemed to be associated with and admitted to the privileges of the University and shall cease to be associated in any way with, or be admitted to any privileges of the State Universities and different dates may be appointed for different institutions: Provided that,- (a) any student of any such institution affiliated to the State University before the said date, who was studying for any degree and diploma examination of the said University shall be permitted to complete his course in preparation therefor and the University shall hold for such students examinations in accordance with the curriculum of study in force in the State University for such period as may be prescribed by the Statutes or Ordinances or Regulations; and (b) any such student may, until any such examination is held by the University, be admitted to the examination of the State University and be conferred the degree, diploma or any other privileges of that University for which he qualifies on the result of such examination.

(1) No person shall be excluded from any office of the University or from membership of any of its authorities or from admission to any degree, diploma, or other academic distinction or course of study on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them: Provided that the University may maintain any college or institution exclusively for women either for education, instruction or residence or, reserve for women or members of classes and communities which are educationally backward, places for purposes of admission as students in any college or institution maintained or controlled by the University. (2) It shall not be lawful for the University to impose on any person any test whatsoever relating to religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth in order to entitle him to be admitted as a teacher or to hold any office in the University or to qualify for any degree, diploma or other academic distinction or to enjoy or exercise any privileges of the University or benefaction thereof.

The following shall be the officers of the University, namely:- (i) the Chancellor; (ii) the Vice-Chancellor; (iii) the Registrar; (iv) the Deans of the Faculties; and (v) such other persons in the service of the University, as may be declared by the Statutes to be officers of the University.

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the mode of appointment of the officers of the University, their powers and duties, the terms and conditions of their service and the filling of casual vacancies in such offices shall be provided for by the Statutes and Ordinances.

The Governor of Punjab shall be the Chancellor of the University.

(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Chancellor on the advice of the State Government: Provided that the first Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed for a period of three years by the State Government: (2) The Vice-Chancellor shall hold office for a term of three years which may be extended by the Chancellor, on similar advice, for such further periods not exceeding three years at a time, as he may deem fit. (3) The Chancellor shall determine the amount of remuneration and other conditions of service of the Vice-Chancellor: Provided that such terms and conditions shall not be altered to the disadvantage of the Vice-Chancellor during his term of office. (4) In the event of the Vice-Chancellor being not in position on account of illness, absence on leave or in any other contingency, the Chancellor may, on the advice of the State Government, appoint any person to act as Vice-Chancellor for the disposal of business during the period the Vice-Chancellor is not in position. The person temporarily appointed to discharge the functions of the Vice-Chancellor shall hold office during the pleasure of the Chancellor who shall also determine the emoluments or allowances payable to the person so appointed. (5) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the principal executive and academic officer of the University and shall exercise control over its affairs in accordance with the Statutes and Regulations and give effect to the decisions of the authorities of the University. He shall be ex-officio Chairman of the Senate, the Syndicate, the Academic Council and the Finance Committee and shall, in the absence of the Chancellor, preside at any convocation of the University. He shall be entitled to be present at and address any meeting of any authority or other body of the University. (6) The Vice-Chancellor shall have the power of convening meetings of the Senate, the Syndicate and the Academic Council. He may delegate this power to any other officer of the University. (7) It shall be the duty of the Vice-Chancellor to ensure that the Act, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations are faithfully observed and he shall have all powers necessary for this purpose. (8) If, in the opinion of the Vice-Chancellor, an emergency has arisen which requires immediate action to be taken, the Vice-Chancellor shall take such action as he deems necessary and shall report the same for confirmation at the next meeting to the authority which, in the ordinary course, would have dealt with the matter: Provided that if the action taken by the Vice- Chancellor is not approved by authority concerned, he may refer the matter to the Chancellor whose decision thereon shall be final: Provided further that where any such action taken by the Vice-Chancellor affects any person in the service of the University, such person shall be entitled to prefer, within thirty days from the date on which he receives notice of such action, an appeal to the Chancellor. (9) The Vice-Chancellor shall exercise such other powers, as may be prescribed by the Statutes and Ordinances.

(1) The Registrar shall be appointed by the Syndicate and shall be a whole-time administrative officer of the University. The terms and conditions of service of the Registrar shall be such as may be prescribed: Provided that the term of office of the Registrar shall be four years or up to the age of sixty years, whichever expires earlier. (2) The Registrar shall be ex-officio Secretary of the Senate, the Syndicate, the Academic Council and the Finance Committee. (3) It shall be the duty of the Registrar,- (a) to be custodian of the records, common seal and such other property of the University as the Syndicate shall commit to his charge; (b) to keep the minutes of all meetings of the Senate, the Syndicate, the Academic Council and the Finance Committee; (c) to conduct the official correspondence of the Senate, the Syndicate and the Academic Council; (d) to arrange for and superintend the examinations of the University; (e) to supply to the Chancellor copies of the agenda of the meetings of the authorities of the University as soon as they are issued and the minutes of meetings of the authorities ordinarily within a month of the holding of the meetings; and (f) to perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Syndicate.

The following shall be the authorities of the University, namely:- (i) the Senate; (ii) the Syndicate; (iii) the Academic Council; (iv) the Faculties; (v) the Boards of Studies; and (vi) such other authorities as may be declared by the Statutes to be the authorities of the University.

(1) The Senate shall consist of the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor and the following other persons, namely:- Ex-officio Fellows,- (i) the Chief Minister, Punjab; (ii) the Higher Education Minister, Punjab; (iii) the Secretary, Higher Education Department, Punjab; (iv) the Director, Higher Education, Punjab; (v) the Dean, Academic Affairs and Students' Welfare; Ordinary Fellows,- (i) six Principals of Colleges admitted to the privileges of the University, of whom three shall be Principals of Government Colleges, by rotation, according to age: Provided that no Principal who has attained the age of sixty years shall be eligible to be or continue as a Fellow; (ii) two Professors or Associate professors from the Religious studies with at least five years' post graduate teaching experience, by rotation, according to age; (iii) one nominee of each Trust, Institution or Corporation donating to the University five lac rupees or more or transferring property of like value, for life time; (iv) six persons to be nominated by the Chancellor on the advice of the State Government for their distinguished work in education or in any other sphere of literary or public activity; (v) two persons nominated to the Syndicate by the Chancellor on the advice of the State Government, for the period they remain members of the Syndicate; (vi) two persons nominated by the State Government from amongst the Members of the Punjab Legislative Assembly; and (vii) Member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly for Anandpur Sahib Constituency. (2) Save as otherwise provided in this section, an Ordinary Fellow shall hold office for a period of two years. (3) An Ordinary Fellow may, by letter addressed to the Chancellor, resign his office. (4) Where an Ordinary Fellow fails to attend any meeting of the Senate during a continuous period of one year, the Chancellor may declare that the office of such Fellow has fallen vacant. (5) The Chancellor may, on the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor, cancel the Fellowship of any person who ceases to hold the office by virtue of which he became such a Fellow. (6) When a vacancy occurs in the Senate by resignation or death of a Fellow or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided in sub-Section (1): Provided that the person who fills such vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired period of the term for which the person in whose place he became a Fellow would have otherwise continued in office. (7) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Senate shall have the following powers and functions, namely:- (a) to review, from time to time, the broad policies and programs of the University and to suggest measures for the improvement and development of the University; (b) to consider and pass resolutions on the annual report and the annual accounts of the University and the audit report thereon; (c) to advice the Chancellor in respect of any matter which may be referred to it for advice; and (d) to perform such other duties and exercise such other functions, as may be assigned to it by this Act or the Statutes or by the Chancellor. (8) An annual meeting of the Senate shall be held on a date to be fixed by the Vice-Chancellor. At such annual meeting, a report of the working of the University during the previous year together with a statement of the receipts and the expenditure, the balance sheet and the financial estimates shall be presented. (9) Special meetings of the Senate may be convened by the Vice-Chancellor, as and when necessary: Provided that a special meeting of the Senate shall be called if one-third of the members of the Senate or twenty-five members, whichever number is less, make a requisition in writing in this behalf.

(1) The Syndicate shall consist of the following members, namely:- (i) the Vice-Chancellor -ex-officio; (ii) the Secretary, Higher Education Department, Punjab -ex-officio; (iii) the Director, Higher Education, Punjab -ex-officio; (iv) the Dean, Academic Affairs and Students' Welfare -ex-officio; (v) three persons from amongst Deans of Faculties who are members of the Senate, by rotation, according to age; (vi) two persons from amongst Heads of Departments, other than Deans, who are members of the Senate, by rotation, according to age; (vii) three persons from amongst Principals of colleges, other than Deans of Faculties, who are members of the Senate, by rotation, according to age; (viii) three persons to be nominated by the Chancellor on the advice of the State Government; and (ix) three persons elected by the Senate from amongst its members. (2) The members of the Syndicate, other than ex-officio members, shall hold office for a period of one year. (3) A member of the Syndicate may, by letter addressed to the Chancellor, resign his office. (4) When a vacancy occurs in the office of member of the Syndicate by resignation or death of a member or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided in sub-section (1): Provided that the person who fills such vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term for which the person in whose place he becomes a member would have otherwise continued in office. (5) The Syndicate shall be the principal executive body of the University and shall have the management and administration of revenue and property of the University and be responsible for the conduct of all administrative affairs of the University not otherwise provided for.

The Academic Council shall be the academic body of the University and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances, have the control and general regulation and be responsible for the maintenance of standards of instruction, education and examination within the University, and shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be conferred or imposed upon it by the Statutes. It shall have the right to advise the Syndicate on all academic matters.

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the constitution, powers and duties of the authorities of the University shall be provided for by the Statutes.

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Statutes may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:- (a) the constitution, powers and duties of the Senate, the Syndicate, the Academic Council and such other bodies, as may be deemed necessary to constitute from time to time; (b) the appointment, powers and duties of the officers of the University; (c) the constitution of a pension or provident fund and the establishment of an insurance scheme for the benefit of the officers, teachers and other employees of the University; (d) the conferment of honorary degrees; (e) the withdrawal of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions; (f) the establishment and abolition of faculties, departments, halls, hostels, colleges and institutions; (g) the conditions under which colleges and other institutions may be admitted to the privileges of the University and the withdrawal of such privileges; (h) the institution of fellowships, scholarships, studentships, exhibitions, medals and prizes; and (i) all other matters which by this Act are or may be provided for by the Statutes.

(1) The Syndicate may, from time to time, make new or additional Statutes or may amend or repeal the Statutes. (2) Every new Statute or addition to the Statute or any amendment or repeal of Statute shall require the approval of the Chancellor who may sanction, disallow or remit for further consideration.

Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes, the Ordinances may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:- (a) the admission of students to the University and their enrolment as such; (b) the courses of study to be laid down for all degrees, diplomas and certificates of the University; (c) the degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions to be awarded by the University, the qualifications for the same, and the means to be taken relating to the granting and obtaining of the same; (d) the fees to be charged for courses of study in the University and for admission to the examinations, degrees and diplomas of the University; (e) the conditions for the award of fellowships, scholarships, studentships, exhibitions, medals and prizes; (f) the conduct of examinations, including the terms of office and manner of appointment and the duties of the examining bodies, examiners and moderators; (g) the maintenance of discipline among the students of the University; (h) the conditions of residence of students at the University; (i) the emoluments and the terms and conditions of service of teachers of the University; (j) management of colleges and other institutions founded or maintained by the University; (k) the supervision and inspection of colleges and other institutions, admitted to privileges of the University; and (l) all other matters which by this Act or the Statutes are to be or may be provided for by the Ordinances.

(1) Ordinances shall be made, amended, repealed or added to by the Syndicate: Provided that no Ordinance shall be made,- (a) affecting the admission or enrolment of students or prescribing examinations to be recognized as equivalent to the University examinations, or (b) affecting the conditions, mode of appointment or duties of examiners or the conduct or standard of examinations or any course of study, unless a draft of such Ordinance has been proposed by the Academic Council. (2) The Syndicate shall not have the power to amend any draft proposed by the Academic Council but may return it to the Academic Council for reconsideration, either in whole or in part, together with any amendments which the Syndicate may suggest, or reject it after it has been submitted for the second time.

(1) The authorities of the University may make Regulations consistent with this Act, the Statutes and the Ordinances,- (a) laying down the procedure to be observed at their meeting and the number of members required to form a quorum; and (b) providing for all matters which by this Act, the Statutes or the Ordinances are to be prescribed by Regulations. (2) Every authority of the University shall make Regulations providing for the giving of notice to the members of such authority of the dates of meetings and of the business to be considered at meetings and for the keeping of a record of the proceedings of the meetings.

The annual report of the University shall be prepared under the direction of the Syndicate, and shall be submitted to the Senate on or before such date as may be prescribed by the Statutes, and shall be considered by the Senate at its annual meeting. The Senate may pass resolutions thereon and communicate the same to the Syndicate.

The accounts of the incomes and expenditure, of the University shall be submitted once in every year to the Government for such examination and audit as the Government may direct. The accounts, when audited shall be published in the Punjab Government Gazette.

(1) No act done, or proceeding taken, under this Act by any authority or other body of the University, shall be invalid merely on the ground,- (a) of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the authority or body; or (b) of any defect or irregularity in election, nomination or appointment of a person acting as a member thereof; or (c) of any defect or irregularity in such act or proceeding, not affecting the merits of the case.

If any question arises whether any person has been duly elected or appointed as, or is entitled to be a member of any authority or other body of the University, the matter shall be referred to the Chancellor whose decision thereon shall be final.

If any difficulty arises with respect to the establishment of the University or in connection with the first meeting of any authority of the University or otherwise in first giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the State Government may, at any time before any authority of the University has been constituted, by order make any appointment or do anything, consistent so far as may be with the provisions of this Act, which appears to it necessary or expedient for the purposes of removing the difficulty, and every such order shall have effect as if such appointment or action had been made or taken in the manner provided in this Act.