The University Grants Commission Act, 1956

(1) This Act may be called the University Grants CommissionAct, 1956. (2) It shall come into force on such date1as the Central Government may, by notification in theOfficial Gazette, appoint.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-- (a) "Commission" means the University Grants Commission established under section 4; (b) "executive authority", in relation to a University, means the chief executive authority of theUniversity (by whatever name called) in which the general administration of the University is vested; (c) "Fund" means the Fund of the University Grants Commission constituted under section 16; (d) "member" means a member of the University Grants Commission and includes the Chairman1[and Vice-Chairman]; (e) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act; (f) "University" means a University established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, aProvincial Act or a State Act, and includes any such institution as may, in consultation with theUniversity concerned, be recognised by the Commission in accordance with the regulations made inthis behalf under this Act.

The CentralGovernment may, on the advice of the Commission, declare, by notification in the Official Gazette, thatany institution for higher education, other than a University, shall be deemed to be a University for thepurposes of this Act, and on such a declaration being made, all the provisions of this Act shall apply tosuch institution as if it were a University within the meaning of clause (f) of section 2.

(1) With effect from such date as the Central Governmentmay, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint, there shall be established a Commission by the nameof the University Grants Commission. (2) The said Commission shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal,and shall by the said name sue and be sued.

1(1) The Commission shall consist of-- (i) a Chairman, (ii) a Vice-Chairman, and (iii) ten other members, to be appointed by the Central Government. (2) The Chairman shall be chosen from among persons who are not officers of the CentralGovernment or of any State Government. (3) Of the other members referred to in clause @/@(iii) of sub-section (1)-- (a) two shall be chosen from among the officers of the Central Government, to represent thatGovernment; (b) not less than four shall be chosen from among persons who are, at the time when they are sochosen, teachers of Universities; and (c) the remainder shall be chosen from among persons-- (i) who have knowledge of, or experience in, agriculture, commerce, forestry or industry; (ii) who are members of the engineering, legal, medical or any other learned profession; or (iii) who are Vice-Chancellors of Universities or who, not being teachers of Universities, are,in the opinion of the Central Government, educationists of repute or have obtainedhigh academic distinctions: Provided that not less than one-half of the number chosen under this clause shall be from amongpersons who are not officers of the Central Government or of any State Government. (4) The Vice-Chairman shall exercise such of the powers, and discharge such of the duties, of theChairman as may be prescribed. (5) Every appointment under this section shall take effect from the date on which it is notified by theCentral Government in the Official Gazette.