Parliament Enacts Law to Establish "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University, Declaring it an Institution of National Importance

Parliament recently enacted The "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University Act, 2025, which received the President's assent on April 3, 2025. This significant legislation establishes the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) as a new university, to be known as the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University, and simultaneously declares it an institution of national importance. The Act aims to transform IRMA, previously registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, into a statutory body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, headquartered in Anand, Gujarat. Upon the commencement of this Act, the former Institute of Rural Management Anand stands dissolved, with all its property, assets, rights, and liabilities transferring to the newly formed University. The legislation specifies that the Institute of Rural Management Anand School will continue its identity and autonomy as one of the University's schools and is designated as a "Centre of Excellence" for Rural Management, enjoying greater autonomy within the University's framework to foster excellence and disseminate best practices. The Act provides that it shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may appoint by notification in the Official Gazette, with the possibility of different dates for different provisions.

The core legislative intent behind this enactment is to realize the vision of "Sahkar Se Samriddhi" (prosperity through cooperation) and to strengthen the co-operative movement across the country. The legislation provided: “An Act to establish the Institute of Rural Management Anand, as a University to be known as the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University and to declare the same as an institution of national importance; to impart technical and management education and training in co-operative sector; to promote co-operative research and development and to attain standards of global excellence therein in order to realise the vision of "Sahkar Se Samriddhi" and to strengthen the co-operative movement in the country through a network of institutions, and also to declare the Institute as one of the Schools of the University and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.” The University's objectives include providing qualified and trained manpower for the co-operative sector, offering training and capacity building to employees and board members of co-operative societies at all levels, and acting as an apex body to integrate, coordinate, and standardize academic and research activities of affiliated co-operative institutes. It seeks to standardize course design, pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching), and delivery in co-operative education in line with national and international best practices, as outlined in the First Schedule of the Act. The University is also mandated to develop centres of excellence, evolve as an institution of national and international repute for advanced studies in co-operative education, and promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-ups in the co-operative sector. It is empowered to grant degrees, diplomas, and certificates, establish outlying campuses in India and abroad (with Central Government approval), and affiliate other institutes. The Act outlines the establishment of various authorities, including a Governing Board, Executive Council, Academic and Research Council, and a Finance Committee, to oversee the University's administration and academic functions. The Central Government retains significant oversight, including the power to review, inspect, issue directions, and appoint key officers such as the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and Finance Officer. The Act also ensures the application of the Right to Information Act, 2005, to the University and its schools, and establishes a dispute resolution mechanism for employees. The University is required to maintain proper accounts, which will be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, and to strive for self-sufficiency in meeting its expenses.

Keywords: Tribhuvan Sahkari University, Institute of Rural Management Anand, IRMA, Cooperative Sector, National Importance, Legal Education, Management Education, India, University Act, 2025

Geo Tags: India, Gujarat District: Not Applicable