Bill declares four new design institutes as institutions of national importance

This change is intended to grant them statutory status and the power to grant degrees, diplomas, and other academic distinctions, similar to the existing National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad.

Who it concerns: The Bill affects the National Institutes of Design located in Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Jorhat (Assam), Kurukshetra (Haryana), and Andhra Pradesh. It also affects the societies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, that currently constitute these institutes, as their references in laws and contracts will be deemed to refer to the new statutory institutes.

What the bill does

• Declares the institutes listed in the new Schedule as institutions of national importance.
• Each institute becomes a body corporate with perpetual succession, a common seal, and the power to acquire, hold, and dispose of property.
• Institutes are empowered to establish campuses within or outside India.
• Existing campuses of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, in Bengaluru and Gandhinagar are deemed to be institute campuses.
• References to the 'Society' in any law or contract are deemed to be references to the corresponding 'Institute'.
• The term 'Senior Designer' is replaced with 'Principal Designer'.
• A new Schedule is inserted listing the five institutes and their corresponding societies.

Also in the document

• The Bill is an amendment to the National Institute of Design Act, 2014.
• It specifically addresses the lack of authority for the four new institutes to grant degrees, diplomas, and academic distinctions.
• The commencement date for the new institutes is linked to the date the Amendment Act comes into force, while for Ahmedabad, it is deemed to be September 16, 2014.