Nagaland University Act, Statutes, Ordinances & Regulations – Comprehensive Bullet-Point Notes

The Nagaland University Act, 1989 (No. 35 of 1989)

• Enacted: $20^{th}$ October 1989; came into force on a date notified by Central Government.

• Aim: Establish and incorporate a teaching & affiliating university in Nagaland and regulate connected matters.

• Headquarters: Lumami; power to set up additional campuses within Nagaland.

Short Title & Commencement

• Official name: “Nagaland University Act, 1989”.

• Enforced via notification in Gazette of India.

Key Definitions

• “Academic Council”, “Executive Council”, “Planning Board”, “Board of Studies”, etc. defined (Secs 2(a)–(v)).

• “Distance Education System”: education through broadcasting, telecasting, correspondence, seminars, contact programmes, or combinations.

Objects of the University (Sec 4)

• Disseminate & advance knowledge in chosen branches.

• Provide integrated courses in humanities, sciences, agriculture, forestry, social sciences.

• Promote innovation in teaching/learning, interdisciplinary studies & research.

• Train manpower for Nagaland’s development; focus on social-economic welfare of the people.

Transfer of Property (Sec 5)

• All NEHU properties situated in Nagaland stand transferred to Nagaland University (NU) on commencement.

Powers of the University (Sec 6)

• Provide instruction, research, distance education.

• Grant/withdraw degrees, diplomas, certificates & honorary degrees.

• Institute academic positions & recognise institutions/teachers.

• Create posts; administer residences & health of students & staff.

• Confer autonomous status; demand fees; maintain discipline.

• Acquire property, receive gifts, borrow with Central Govt. approval; do all acts conducive to objectives.

Jurisdiction (Sec 7)

• Whole State of Nagaland.

• All colleges earlier under NEHU in Nagaland now affiliated/maintained by NU.

Open Character (Sec 8)

• Open to all genders, castes, creeds; can make special provisions for women, weaker sections, SC/ST & PWD.

Visitor (Sec 9)

• President of India.

• May review, inspect or inquire and issue binding directions; can annul proceedings not conforming to Act.

Chief Rector (Sec 10)

• Governor of Nagaland.

Officers of the University (Sec 11)

1. Chancellor (Head of University).

2. Vice-Chancellor (principal executive & academic officer).

3. Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

4. Deans of Schools.

5. Registrar (signatory, custodian of records).

6. Finance Officer.

7. Other declared officers (Controller of Examinations, Librarian, etc.).

Key Officer Provisions

• Chancellor & VC appointed by Visitor; VC term $5$ yrs or until $70$ yrs.

• VC may exercise emergency powers and seek Visitor’s decision on ultra-vires decisions.

• Registrar & Finance Officer: whole-time, $5$-year term; duties include finance supervision, agreements, examinations.

Authorities of the University (Sec 19)

• Court (broad policy review; advise Visitor).

• Executive Council (principal executive body; create posts; finance; discipline).

• Academic Council (principal academic body; supervise teaching/research).

• Planning Board (principal planning body).

• Boards of Schools.

• Finance Committee.

• Other declared authorities.

Statutes (Secs 27–28)

• Cover constitution/powers of authorities, appointments, service conditions, autonomous status, establishment of units, fellowships, discipline, delegation, etc.

• First Statutes provided in Schedule (detailed posts, powers, committees).

• Executive Council can draft new Statutes; assent of Visitor mandatory.

• Visitor may frame/amend Statutes within first $3$ yrs (+1 yr for detail).

Salient Statutory Provisions (Schedule)

• Detailed powers/duties of VC, Pro-VC, Registrar, Finance Officer, Controller of Examinations, Deans, Heads, Proctors.

• Composition & quorum of Court, Executive Council, Academic Council, Planning Board, Boards of Studies, Finance Committee.

• Selection Committees’ structure (VC’s nominee, Visitor’s nominee, subject experts).

• Code of conduct, seniority, removal & resignation procedures for employees.

• Maintenance & withdrawal of degrees; discipline among students/colleges.

• Admission/privileges of affiliated colleges; convocation rules; alumni & students’ council.

• Ordinance/Regulation-making processes; delegation of powers.

Ordinance-making Power (Sec 29)

• Executive Council may frame Ordinances on admissions, courses, exams, fees, hostels, fellowships, committees, grievance redressal, etc.

• First Ordinances framed by VC with Central Govt. approval.

Regulations (Sec 30)

• Authorities may make internal Regulations for conduct of business consistent with Act/Statutes/Ordinances.

Annual Report & Accounts (Secs 31–32)

• Executive Council prepares Annual Report; Court reviews; sent to Visitor & Parliament.

• Accounts audited by C&AG; laid before Parliament & published in Gazette of India.

Service Matters (Secs 33–36)

• Employees from NEHU in Nagaland may opt to join NU retaining service benefits.

• Written contracts; disputes to Tribunal of Arbitration (Visitor’s umpire).

• Disciplinary appeals to Executive Council; student appeals & arbitration.

Provident & Pension Funds (Sec 37)

• University may institute funds; Central Govt. may apply Provident Funds Act $1925$.

Miscellaneous Safeguards

• Protection of action taken in good faith; proof of records (Indian Evidence Act $1872$).

• Visitor adjudicates disputes on constitution of bodies.

• Central Govt. may remove difficulties within $3$ yrs.

• Transitional provisions: first officers nominated by Visitor; completion of ongoing courses of NEHU.

• Statutes/Ordinances/Regulations published in Official Gazette & laid before Parliament; may have retrospective effect (not prejudicial).

Key Statutes (Schedule Highlights)

Chancellor

• Appointed by Visitor from panel of $\ge 3$ eminent persons recommended by Executive Council.

• Term $5$ yrs; presides over convocations.

Vice-Chancellor

• Selection Committee: 3 persons (2 by Executive Council + Visitor’s nominee).

• Salary fixed by Central Govt.; entitled to furnished residence.

• Leave: $30$ days full-pay + $20$ days half-pay per year.

• Emergency powers; disciplinary appellate provisions.

Finance Officer

• Prepares budget, monitors cash & investments; ex-officio Secretary to Finance Committee.

• Holds property & investments on behalf of University.

Controller of Examinations (Statute 6A)

• Whole-time; conducts & superintends examinations; retirement age $60$ yrs.

Deans & Heads

• Deans appointed by VC for $3$ yrs; coordinate teaching/research; age cap $60$ yrs.

• Heads: normally Professors; term $3$ yrs; duties per Ordinances.

Proctors

• Ensure discipline; term $2$ yrs.

Selected Ordinances (OA–OF Series)

OA Series (Academic Structure)

• OA-1: Schools of Studies (6 Schools: Agricultural Sciences; Engineering & Technology; Humanities & Education; Management Studies; Sciences; Social Sciences).

• OA-2: 41 Departments listed under six Schools.

• OA-3: Centres of Studies (Biodiversity; Gandhian Studies; Naga Tribal Languages; South-East Asian Studies; Tribal Research; Women Studies).

• OA-4: Assignment of Depts/Centres to Schools.

• OA-5: Degrees, Diplomas & Certificates recognised (Research, Master’s, Bachelor’s, PG Diploma, Certificate, Honorary).

• OA-6: Boards of Schools – composition, 2-yr tenure, functions incl. curricula, examiners, research oversight.

• OA-7 / OA-8: Boards of U.G. & P.G. Studies – structure, terms, powers (syllabus, exam panels).

• OA-9: Board of Research Studies – Vice-Chancellor chair; research planning, monitoring; term $2$ yrs.

• OA-10: Board of Professional Studies – for professional faculties.

• OA-11: Planning Board – 15-member quorum; twice-yearly meeting; university development plans.

OB Series (Departments & Centres)

• OB-1: Constitution & functions of Departments; workload norms (40 hrs/week; contact-hours & research guidance weights).

• OB-2: Structure/management of Centres (inter-disciplinary, service or field-oriented units); Steering Committee; half-yearly reports.

• OB-3/4/5/6: Functions of Heads, Deans, Dean-RDC, Deans’ Committee.

• OB-7: Establishment & Affiliation of Colleges – procedures, inspection, fees (e.g., ₹25,000 for new college permission), reserve funds (₹7–15 lakh), governance conditions.

• OB-8: College Development Council – advisory on college matters; composition incl. VC (Chair), Deans, principals, teachers, Dir. Higher Education.

OC Series (Courses & Exams)

• OC-1: Admission, enrolment, migration & transfer rules; 80 % attendance; English medium.

• OC-2: Three-year CBCS U.G. degrees (BA, B.Sc., B.Com, BBA, BCA); credit structure (Honours 120 credits, General 90+); 30:70 IA:ESE evaluation; improvement & re-evaluation rules.

• OC-3: LL.B. (3-yr) – 28 papers, 2800 marks, min $45\%$ qualifying; teacher:student = 1:20; attendance 66 %; twice-yearly exams.

• OC-5: B.Tech. (4-yr) – branch transfer possible after first year.

• OC-6/7/8/9: Master’s in Arts/Science/Commerce, Education, Agriculture, MBA – four semesters; sessional 1:3 weight; 75 % attendance; $40\%$ aggregate pass.

• OC-13: D.Litt./D.Sc. – for distinguished scholars $\ge8$ yrs post-Master’s + high-quality publications; six-semester min, thesis adjudicated by 4 examiners (incl. foreign).

• OC-14: Equivalence Committee – Deans with VC; recognises outside degrees.

• OC-16: English medium unless decided otherwise.

• OC-17: Certificate (1-sem) & Diploma (2-sem) programmes; admission: XII or Bachelor’s.

• OC-18: Academic Calendar – $30$ teaching weeks; 12 wks exams/admission; 8 wks vacation; 2 wks holidays.

OD Series (Students & Staff Welfare)

• OD-1: Institutional (UGC) Non-NET Fellowship – ₹5,000 | ₹8,000 pm + contingency; M.Phil. 18 m, Ph.D. 3 + 1 yrs.

• OD-2: Students’ Council – Dean (Chair); prize-winners & elected reps; suggest on academics & welfare.

• OD-3: Residence of Students – halls/lodges; discipline under Vice-Chancellor; hostel rules, fees, wardens.

• OD-4: Representation of PG students to Academic Council – topper from each School + one research scholar.

• OD-5: Discipline in University Examinations – definitions of unfair means, Examination Discipline Committee, penalties (cancellation, disqualification up to $3$ yrs).

• OD-6: Dean, Students’ Welfare – oversight of hostels, co-curricular, Student Council funds.

• OD-7: Discipline & Conduct of Students – list of misconducts; Proctor’s powers (fine ₹1,000; suspension); School & University Discipline Committees.

• OD-8: Women’s Cell – gender sensitization, anti-harassment; committee composition; inquiry & redressal protocol.

OE Series

• OE-9: Leave Rules for Teachers – per UGC norms.

• OE-10: Floating Professorial posts – eminent scholars on contract (max 1 yr, renewable) to fill gaps.

• OE-13: Career Advancement Scheme – as per UGC.

• OE-14: Planning Officer – coordinate plan proposals, budget allocation & utilisation.

OF Series

• OF-1: Fee Schedule – UG/PG/M.Phil./Ph.D.; revised periodically by NU.

Regulations Sampler (RA–RF Series)

• RA-1: Deans’ Committee – meets 4 ×/yr; awards fellowships, recommends endowment lectures, scrutinizes international travel grants.

• RA-3: Conduct of Academic Council – 21-day notice; half members quorum; special meeting rules.

• RA-5: Calendar of statutory body meetings: BUGS (Sept), BPGS (Mar/Sept), School Board (Mar-Apr/Oct), Academic Council (May/Nov), Executive Council (Mar/Jul/Dec), Finance Committee (Feb/Jun/Nov).

• RB-1: Procedure for permanent affiliation – eligibility after 5 yrs, inspection, Executive Council approval.

• RC-3: UG paper setting & evaluation – 3-tier (Chairman, Chief Examiner, Examiner); moderation board; grace marks up to 1 %.

• RC-4: Medal & Prize rules – Gold Medals for 1st position (1st class) in PG & UG; books as prizes.

• RC-10: Pre-submission seminar rules for M.Phil./Ph.D. – Evaluation Committee (Supervisor, Dept & allied faculty), public defence, incorporation of suggestions.

• RD-1: Academic Study Tours – groups ≤20; ₹200 DA, ₹75 local per student/day.

• RD-2-4: Library governance – Library Committee; book selection; borrowing rules (e.g., teachers 20 books 1 m; fines ₹0.15/day).

• RE-3: Travel grant selection (national / international conferences) – Deans’ Committee; eligibility: 3 papers in int. journals, partial external funding preferred.

• RF-1: Students’ Council Fund – contributions, withdrawals (max 80 % of annual collection per campus), audit.

• RG-1: Externally Funded Projects – Dean RDC, project accounts, 35 % overhead to University, recruitment & leave rules.

• RU-1: Student discipline catalog – from misconduct, ragging, to possession of objectionable materials.

Practical / Administrative Implications

• Affiliated colleges must maintain reserve funds (₹7–15 lakh) & meet staffing/ infrastructure norms for provisional/permanent affiliation.

• NU maintains detailed multi-tier exam control: paper setting, moderation, evaluation & result moderation.

• Overheads from research projects strengthen institutional infrastructure (35 % university, 65 % department).

• Students enjoy representation (Academic Council seats; Students’ Council), fellowships, hostels & strict anti-harassment safeguards.

• Statutory requirement to lay all Statutes/Ordinances/Regulations before Parliament ensures transparency & parliamentary oversight.

• Central Government retains residual power (difficulty orders within $3$ yrs) & funding accountability (C&AG audit).

Ethical & Governance Notes

• Open access policy (Sec 8) & special provisions for marginalized groups align with constitutional mandates on equality & affirmative action.

• Visitor’s extraordinary powers (inspection, annulment) create accountability link to President of India.

• Clear appeal & arbitration mechanisms protect employee/student rights.

• Women’s Cell & anti-ragging/harassment provisions echo UGC & Supreme Court directives (Vishaka guidelines).

Numerical Quick-Reference

• VC term: $5$ yrs | until $70$ yrs.

• Teaching weeks per year: $30$; Exam/Admission weeks $12$; Vacation $8$.

• Credit requirement: BA/B.Sc. Honours $120$ credits; General $90$ (Arts)/$100$ (Science).

• Fellowship: M.Phil. ₹5,000 pm (18 m); Ph.D. ₹8,000 pm (3+1 yrs); DA ₹200 | Local ₹75 on study tours.

• Grace marks: up to $1\%$ per paper to pass.

Study & Exam Tips

• Focus on statutory hierarchies: Act → Statute → Ordinance → Regulation.

• Map officer roles & appointment mechanisms (Visitor vs Executive Council).

• Remember key percentages (50 % teacher:student ratio LL.B.; 30:70 IA:ESE; 35 % overhead to NU).

• Link powers (Inspection, annulment, emergency VC powers) to checks & balances in university governance.

• For affiliated college management, note inspection schedule, fees, reserve fund & staff qualifications.

Recurring Themes / Connections

• Strong central oversight (Visitor, Parliament) balanced with university autonomy (Executive & Academic Councils).

• Affirmative inclusion (SC/ST, women, PWD) embedded across admissions, employment & governance bodies.

• Emphasis on interdisciplinary study & societal relevance (Centres, Planning Board, outreach via Students’ Council & study tours).

• Continual quality assurance through multi-layered examination control & faculty advancement (CAS).