The Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008

(1) This Act may be called the Science and EngineeringResearch Board Act, 2008. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in theOfficial Gazette, appoint.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-- (a) "Board" means the Science and Engineering Research Board constituted under sub-section (1)of section 3; (b) "Chairperson" means the Chairperson of the Board; (c) "Fund" means the Fund for Science and Engineering Research constituted undersub-section (1) of section 10; (d) "member" means a member of the Board and includes the Chairperson; (e) "Oversight Committee" means the Oversight Committee of Experts constituted undersub-section (1) of section 5; (f) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act; (g) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Board appointed under sub-section (1) of section 4.

(1) The Central Government shall, by notification inthe Official Gazette, constitute, for the purposes of this Act, a Board to be called the Science andEngineering Research Board. (2) The Board shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid having perpetual succession and acommon seal with power, subject to the provisions of this Act, to contract and shall, by the said name, sueand be sued. (3) The Board shall consist of the following persons, namely:-- (a) Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Science and Technology,ex officio--Chairperson; (b) Member-Secretary, Planning Commission, ex officio--Member; (c) Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Biotechnology,ex officio--Member; (d) Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research,ex officio--Member; (e) Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Earth Sciences, ex officio--Member; (f) Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Financeor his nominee, ex officio--Member; (g) Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Health Research,ex officio--Member; (h) not more than three members to be appointed by the Central Government from amongstpersons having experience in scientific research in different disciplines in academic institutions; (i) not more than three members to be appointed by the Central Government from amongstpersons having experience in scientific research in different disciplines in Government researchlaboratories; (j) not more than four members to be appointed by the Central Government from amongstpersons having experience in scientific research in different disciplines in the industry, internationalprojects on science and technology, socio-economic sectors and other Government researchlaboratories. (4) The Head Office of the Board shall be at Delhi or in the National Capital Region. (5) The qualifications and experience, term of office and allowances of the members specified inclauses (h) to (j) of sub-section (3) shall be such as may be prescribed. (6) The Chairperson shall, in addition to presiding over the meetings of the Board, exercise anddischarge such powers and duties, as may be prescribed or delegated to him by the Board. (7) No act or proceeding of the Board shall be invalidated merely by reason of-- (a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Board; (b) any defect in the appointment of a person acting as a member of the Board; (c) any irregularity in the procedure of the Board not affecting the merits of the case.

(1) The Board may appoint an eminentScientist not below the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India as the Secretary of theBoard, in consultation with the Central Government. (2) The Board may appoint such other officers and employees as it considers necessary for theefficient discharge of its functions under this Act. (3) The qualifications and experience, terms and conditions of service including salary andallowances of the Secretary and other officers and employees of the Board shall be such as may bespecified in the regulations made by the Board. (4) The Board may engage the services of personnel, both from within and outside the country asconsultants, visiting scientists on such terms and conditions and remunerations as may be specified in theregulations made by the Board and shall facilitate their operations within the country.

(1) Subject to the rules made in this behalf, the Board shallconstitute an Oversight Committee of Experts consisting of experts, eminent scientists and academics toadvise and assist the Board. (2) The Oversight Committee shall consist of the following persons, namely:-- (i) a scientist of eminence and international repute--Chairperson; (ii) Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Science and Technology,ex officio--Vice-Chairperson; (iii) Presidents of Indian National Science Academy, Indian Academy of Sciences and IndianNational Academy of Engineering, ex officio--Members; (iv) not more than three members to be appointed by the Central Government from amongstdistinguished experts in different areas of science and technology; and (v) Secretary to the Board, ex officio--Member.