THE COUNCILCentral
Section 31 of The Institutes of Technology Act, 1961
- (1)With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf, there shall be established a central body to be called the Council.
- (2)The Council shall consist of the following members, namely:--
- (a)the Minister in charge of technical education in the Central Government, ex officio, as Chairman;
- (b)the Chairman of each Institute, ex officio;
- (c)the Director of each Institute, ex officio;
- (d)the Chairman, University Grants Commission, ex officio;
- (e)the Director-General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, ex officio;
- (f)the Chairman of the Council of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, ex officio;
- (g)the Director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, ex officio;
- (h)three persons to be nominated by the Central Government, one to represent the Ministry concerned with technical education, another to represent the Ministry of Finance and the third to represent any other Ministry;
- (i)one person to be nominated by the All-India Council for Technical Education;
- (j)not less than three, but not more than five, persons to be nominated by the Visitor, who shall be persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of education, industry, science or technology;
- (k)three Members of Parliament, of whom two shall be elected by the House of the People from among its members and one by the Council of States from among its members.
- (3)An officer of the Ministry of the Central Government concerned with technical education shall be nominated by that Government to act as the Secretary of the Council.
Summary
- The Central Government creates a central group called the Council to oversee all the Institutes.
- The Minister in charge of technical education serves as the Chairman of the Council.
- Every IIT Chairman and every IIT Director is automatically a member of this Council.
- The Chairman of the University Grants Commission and the Director General of the CSIR are also members.
- The Council includes three Members of Parliament, with two from the Lok Sabha and one from the Rajya Sabha.
- The Visitor can nominate between three and five experts with special knowledge in fields like education, industry, or science.
- A government official from the ministry of technical education is appointed to serve as the Secretary of the Council.
Practical examples
1In 2024, the Minister of Education calls a meeting of the Council. The Directors of all the IITs attend to discuss national research goals and coordinate their efforts.
2The Lok Sabha holds an election to choose two of its members, Mr. Raj and Ms. Aneesh, to sit on the Council for the next term, ensuring that Parliament has a voice in governance.
FAQ
1. Who is the head of the Council?
The Minister in charge of technical education in the Central Government is the ex officio Chairman.
2. Does every IIT have a representative on the Council?
Yes, the Chairman and the Director of every Institute are members by virtue of their office.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 31 of The Institutes of Technology Act, 1961, who serves as the Chairman of the Council?
Q2.How many Members of Parliament are included in the Council under Section 31 of The Institutes of Technology Act, 1961?
Q3.Which of the following officials is NOT an ex officio member of the Council under Section 31 of The Institutes of Technology Act, 1961?
Q4.Under Section 31 of The Institutes of Technology Act, 1961, who nominates the three persons representing the Central Government Ministries?