S.1 Short title and commencement.

       (1) This Act may be called the Jammu and Kashmir Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Act, 1999.
       (2) It shall come into force on, Such date as the Government may, by notification in the Government Gazette, appoint.
(3) Seat of the University shall be at such place as may be identified by the Government on the recommendations of a committee consisting of six members nominated by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, State Government and the University Grants Commission in equal numbers, and this shall be located at Katra or around.

S.2 Definitions.

       In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
       (a) "College" means a college maintained by the University;
       (b) "Hall" means a unit of residence, by whatever name called, for students of the University provided, maintained or recognised by it;
       (c) "prescribed" means prescribed by Statutes, Ordinances or Regulations;
       (d) "recognised institution" means an institution of higher learning maintained by the University or started by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and recognised by, or associated with the University ;
       (e) "Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board" means the Board constituted under the Jammu and Kashmir Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1988 ;
       (f) "Sta

S.3 The University.

The First Chancellor and the first Vice-Chancellor of the University, the Executive Council and the Academic Council and all persons who may hereafter become such officers, so long as they continue to hold such office are hereby constituted a body corporate by the name of "Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University".

S.4 Objects.

The objects of the University shall be to disseminate and advance knowledge, wisdom and understanding, and to offer scientific and technical education of the highest standards by teaching and research and by the example and influence of its corporate life.

S.5 Powers of the University.

       The University shall have the following powers, namely :-
       (1) to provide for instruction including the method of correspondence courses in such branches of learning as the University may from time to time determine, and to make provision for research, for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge and for offering scientific and technical education of the highest standards;
       (2) to confer honorary degrees or other academic distinctions in the manner laid down in the Statutes;
       (3) to create such teaching, administrative and other posts as the University may deem necessary, from time to time and to make appointments thereto;
       (4) to appoint or recognise persons as Professors, Readers or Lecturers or otherwise as teachers of the University;
 

S.6 University open to all classes, castes and creeds.

The University shall be open to all persons of either sex and of whatever, race, creed, caste or class.

S.7 Jurisdiction of the University.

The territorial jurisdiction and the responsibility of the University shall extend to the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir.

S.8 Officers of the University.

       (1) The Governor of the State of Jammu and Kashmir shall by virtue of his office be the Chancellor of the University.
       (2) The Chancellor, shall, if present, preside at convocation of the University for conferring degrees.
       (3) There shall be a Vice-Chancellor appointed in the manner prescribed by the Statutes who shall be the Principal Executive and Academic Officer of the University and Ex-Officio Chairman, of the Executive Council, Academic Council and Finance Committee and he shall, in the absence of the Chancellor, preside at any convocation for conferring degrees.
       (4) There shall be a Dean for each School of Study who shall be appointed in such manner and with such powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Statutes.
       (5) There shall be a Regi

S.9 Authorities of the University.

The authorities of the University shall be the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the Executive Council, the Academic Council, the Schools of Studies, the Finance Committee and such other authorities as may be declared by the Statutes to be authorities of the University.

S.10 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

       (1) Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (hereafter known as Shrine Board) shall be the supreme authority of the University.
       (2) The Shrine Board shall have the power to review the acts of the Executive Council and the Academic Council (save when these authorities have acted in accordance with the powers conferred upon them under this Act, the Statutes of the Ordinances) and shall exercise all the powers of the University not otherwise provided for by this Act or the Statutes:
       Provided that the power of review under this sub-section shall not be exercised except by a majority of the total membership of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and by a majority of not less than two thirds of the members of the Board present and voting.

S.11 The Executive Council.

       (1) The Executive Council shall consist of the following members, namely :-
       (i) the Vice-Chancellor of the University;
       (ii) the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu;
       (iii) the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir ;
       (iv) the Dean of Students, ex-officio;
       (v) not more than two Deans of Schools of Studies, by rotation according to seniority;
       (vi) not more than two Principals of Colleges;
       (vii) three persons, none of whom shall be an employee of the University or an institution recognised by, or associated with, the University, nominated by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
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S.12 The Academic Council.

       (1) The Academic Council shall be the academic body of the University, and its constitution and the terms of office of its members, other than ex-officio members, shall be prescribed by the Statutes.
       (2) The Academic Council 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.

S.13 The Academic Advisory Committee.

       (1) There shall be constituted an Academic Advisory Committee of the University which shall advise generally on the planning and development of the University and keep under review the standard of education and research in the University.
       (2) The Committee shall consist of :-
       (a) not more than seven persons of high academic standing who shall be appointed in such manner as may be prescribed by the Statutes;
       (b) the Vice-Chancellor ; and
       (c) the Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, ex-officio.
       (3) The Chancellor may determine a date with effect from which the Academic Advisory Committee shall stand dissolved.

S.14 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 authorities and other bodies of the University, except Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the qualifications and disqualifications for membership of such authorities and other bodies, appointment and removal of members thereof and other matters connected therewith;
       (b) the appointment, powers and duties of the officers of the University ;
       (c) the appointment, powers and conditions of service and powers and duties of the employees of the University;
       (d) the terms and conditions under which institutions may be associated with the University ;
       (e)

S.15 Statutes how made.

       (1) The first Statutes are those set out in the schedule.
       (2) The Executive Council may, from time to time make new or additional statutes or may amend or repeal the Statutes in the manner hereafter in this section provided :
       Provided that Executive Council shall not make any Statute or any amendment of the statute affecting the status, powers or constitution of any existing authority of the University until such authority has been given an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the proposal and any opinion so expressed shall be in writing and shall be considered by the Executive Council:
       Provided further that no Statute shall be made by the Executive Council affecting the discipline of students and standards of instruction, education and examination except after consultation with the Academi

S.16 Ordinances.

       (1) 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 the students, the courses of study and the fees therefor, the qualifications pertaining to degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions, the conditions for grant of Fellowships. Awards and the like;
       (b) the conduct of examinations, including the terms of office and appointment of examiners and the conditions of residence of students and their general discipline;
       (c) the management of colleges and institutions maintained by the University ;
       (d) any other matter which by this Act or the Statutes is to be or may be provided by the Ordinances.
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S.17 Regulations.

The authorities of the University may make the Ordinances for the conduct of their own business and that of the Committees appointed by them and not provided for by this Act, the Statutes or the Ordinances in the manner prescribed by the Statutes.

S.18 Colleges. 

The colleges shall be such, as may, after the commencement of this Act, be started by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and recognised by the Executive Council in accordance with this Act.

S.19 Annual Reports.

       (1) The annual report of the University shall be prepared under the direction of the Executive Council and shall be submitted to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board on or before such date as may be prescribed by the Statutes and shall be considered by the Shrine Board at its budget meeting.
       (2) The Shrine Board may communicate its comments thereon to the Executive Council.

S.20 General Fund.

       The University shall have a General Fund set up by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Board in the name of the University and operated by the University to which shall be credited-
       (i) Rupees twenty crore as a one time capital grant to be made by Shri Mala Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for meeting the non-recurring cost of the University.
       (ii) Rupees three crore to be annually contributed by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board;
       (iii) its income relating the fee and endowments ;
       (iv) contribution or grants which may be made by the Government; and
       (v) other contributions or grants.

S.21 Audit of Accounts.

       (1) The Accounts of the University shall, once at least in every year and at intervals of not more than fifteen months be audited by the Chartered Accountants of the University.
       (2) A copy of the accounts when audited together with the audit report shall be submitted by the Registrar, to the Chancellor and to the Shrine Board.

S.22 Disputes as to constitution of University Authorities and Bodies.

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.

S.23 Constitution of Committees.

Where any authority, of the University is given power by this Act or the Statutes to appoint Committees, such Committees shall, save as otherwise provided, consist of members of the authorities concerned and of such other persons (if any) as the authority in each case may think fit.

S.24 Filling of Casual Vacancies.

All casual vacancies among the members (other than ex-officio members) of any authority or other body of the University shall be filled, as soon as conveniently may be, by the person or body who appointed, elected or co-opted the member whose place has become vacant and the person appointed, elected or co-opted to a casual vacancy shall be a member of such authority or body for the residue of the term for which the person whose place he fills would have been a member.

S.25 Proceedings of the University Authorities and Bodies not invalidated by vacancies.

No act or proceedings of any authority or other body of the University shall be invalidated merely by reason of the existence of a vacancy or vacancies among its members.

S.26 Removal of difficulties.

If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University may, by order published in the official Gazette, make such provisions not in consistent with the purposes of this Act, as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty.

S.27 Transitional provisions.

       Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act and the statutes, the first Executive Council and the Academic Council shall be nominated by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and shall hold office for a term of three years:
       Provided that, the Vice-Chancellors of the University of Kashmir and the University of Jammu shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Council so nominated.
       Schedule
       The Statutes of the University
       In these Statutes -
       1. Definitions. - (a) "Act" means Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Act, 1999.
       (b) All words and expressions used herein and defined in the Act shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act