Question : AUTONOMY OF IITS

(a) whether the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are statutory autonomous bodies governed by the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether some IITs are reportedly involved in court cases for certain irregularities;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether any directives/strictures were passed by the Court in the matter and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to ensure the autonomy of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARAS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No.316 REGARDING “Autonomy of IITs” RAISED BY SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH TO BE REPLIED ON 30.07.2014

(a) : Yes, Madam. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are statutory autonomous institutions governed by the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961, as amended from time to time. A list of 16 IITs presently functioning in the country, along with their date of establishment is at Annexure-I. As per provisions of the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961, the Board of Governors of each Institute is responsible for general supervision, direction and control of the affairs of the Institute and take decisions on matters of policy relating to finance, academic programmes, faculty/non-faculty recruitment, administration and working of the Institute.
Under the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 every institute has the autonomy for key functions such as:
(i) Academic matters that includes curriculum, courses to be offered, branches of engineering and technology, holding examinations and granting degrees, diplomas, manage halls and hostels for the residence of students, co-operation with other institutions for educational purposes, instituting and awarding fellowships, scholarships, exhibitions, prizes and medals.
(ii) Administrative matters that include supervising and regulating the discipline of students of the institute, provide for appropriate infrastructure, instituting of faculty and non-faculty posts and to make appointments thereto and to frame Statutes and Ordinances and to alter, modify or rescind the same.

(b) to (d): A statement showing the status of the reported court cases for certain irregularities, as informed by the IITs is at Annexure-II.

(e) The Government’s interface with the IITs is in conformity with the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961, that statutorily vests them with autonomy.