• The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIIT) Bill, 2014 was introduced by the Minister of Human Resource Development, Ms. Smriti Zubin Irani, in the Lok Sabha on August 12, 2014.  The Bill aims to set up IIITs to improve quality of human resources, at par with global standards, within the information technology sector. 

• Objectives:  According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, the Bill seeks to provide four existing IIITs, independent statutory status.  It proposes to declare them as institutes of national importance, to enable them to grant degrees to their students.     

• Powers of the institutes:  The four IIITs are situated in, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and two in Madhya Pradesh.  They will aim to: (i) provide instruction in areas concerning information technology and allied fields of knowledge, (ii) conduct research and innovation in information technology, (iii) hold examinations and grant degrees, diplomas and other titles, (iv) create and make appointments to various posts, (v) establish and maintain such infrastructure as may be necessary, etc.  

• Board of Governors:  The Board shall be the principal executive body of each institute.  It will be headed by a Chairperson, and consist of faculty members and persons from the fields of information technology.   The Board will be responsible for the general superintendence, direction and control of the affairs of the institute.  It shall have the power to frame, amend, modify and rescind the Statutes and Ordinances governing the institutes. Statues provide for matters such as the constitution, powers and duties of the authorities of the institute, conferment of honorary degrees, and fees to be charged for courses.

• Senate:  The Senate will be the principle academic body of each institute.  It will be chaired by the Director of the institute and consist of senior faculty members and persons of eminence from the field of information technology.  It shall have the power to enact, amend or modify Ordinances governing academic matters such as process of admission, courses of study and conduct of examinations.

• Council:  A Council shall be established to coordinate the activity of all the institutes.  It will consist of Ministers having administrative control over technical education, industry partners, Chairpersons and Directors of all institutes and persons of eminence in the field of information technology.  Key functions include: (i) advising on matters related to the duration of the courses and degrees; (ii) laying down policies regarding recruitment, levying of fees, etc; (iii) examining the development plans and annual budget estimates of each institute.      

• Research Council:  Research Councils shall be instituted to organise and promote research in the institutes.  They will provide an interface with research funding organisations and industry, and provide for the incubation of technology applications emerging from research. 

• Director:  The Director will be the principle executive officer of every institute and exercise powers and discharge duties as assigned by the Act, or Statutes or Ordinances or by the Board or Senate.

• Performance Review:  All institutes shall establish a Committee to review the performance of the institute within the first seven years of establishment and every fifth year thereafter.

• Financing of the institutes:  The institutes shall receive grants every financial year, from the central government, for meeting their expenditure.  Every institute shall maintain proper accounts and records which are to be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.

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