• The National Institute of Design Bill, 2013 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on March 11, 2013 by the Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of Textiles, Mr Anand Sharma.

• The Bill seeks to declare the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad (NID) an institution of national importance.

• Currently, NID is registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and as an autonomous institution under the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950.  The Bill seeks to make it a body corporate with the legal status of an Institute. NID can establish Institute campuses at any place within or outside India.

• All property of the Society shall vest in the Institute.  All the rights and liabilities of the Society shall be transferred to the Institute.  Employees of the Society will hold their offices with the same remuneration under the Institute unless the terms and conditions of employment are altered by the Statutes. 

• Powers of NID: Key powers of NID include providing instruction and training in areas and disciplines related to design; granting degrees in disciplines relating to design; framing, altering, modifying and rescinding Statutes and Ordinances; and acting as a nucleus for interaction between academia and industry.

• The President of India shall be the Visitor of NID with the power to appoint one or more persons to review the progress of NID.  The President may take action on the basis of the findings of the inquiry and issue directions.  NID shall be bound to comply with such directions.

• Authorities of NID: Authorities established for the governance and management of NID are the Governing Council, Senate, Chairperson, Director, Dean and Registrar. 

• The Governing Council shall be chaired by an eminent academician, scientist or industrialist, nominated by the President, and consist of the Director, government officials dealing with NID, the Dean of each campus and professionals from related fields.  It shall be responsible for the general superintendence, direction and control of the affairs of NID including making Statues.  Statues provide for matters such as the powers of the authorities of NID and the conferment of honorary degrees. NID shall have the power to enter into arrangements with the central government, state governments and other public or private organisations and meet at least four times a year. 

• The Senate shall be chaired by the Director, and consist of the Dean of each campus and senior faculty, among others.  It shall be responsible for maintaining standards of instruction in the Institute.  Ordinances, dealing with matters such as admissions and conduct of examinations will be made by the Senate, with the Governing Council having the power to modify or cancel them.

• The Chairperson will ensure that the decisions taken by the Governing Council are implemented.  The Director will be the principal executive officer of NID responsible for administration.  The Dean will look after all academic, administrative, research and other activities of NID in consultation with the Director.  The Registrar will be the custodian of records, the common seal, and the funds of NID. 

• Finances of NID: NID will be eligible to receive grants from the central government.  It shall maintain a fund with all money received by it.  The central government may direct NID to establish an endowment fund for a specific purpose.  The accounts of NID shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. 

• Arbitral Tribunal: An Arbitral Tribunal shall be established to settle disputes between NID and its employees. 

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