The National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Act, 2021.
🏛️ National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Act, 2021
✅ Overview
The National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Act, 2021 is an Act of the Indian Parliament that grants the status of Institutions of National Importance to the following institutes:
NIFTEM – Kundli (Haryana)
IIFPT – Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) (renamed as NIFTEM-Thanjavur)
The Act aims to strengthen the food processing sector by promoting education, research, and entrepreneurship in food technology and management through these institutes.
🎯 Objectives of the Act
To declare NIFTEM and IIFPT as institutions of national importance for focused development in food technology and entrepreneurship.
To promote world-class education and research in food processing and allied fields.
To support food industry growth through innovation, policy advice, incubation, and skilled manpower.
To encourage entrepreneurship and innovation in food technology.
To facilitate industry-institute collaboration and technology transfer.
📘 Background
NIFTEM-Kundli was established in 2012 by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
IIFPT-Thanjavur was formerly known as the Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT).
Both institutes functioned as autonomous bodies under MoFPI but lacked statutory status to award degrees independently.
The 2021 Act provides a legal framework and elevates their status to Institutes of National Importance, like IITs and NITs.
⚖️ Key Provisions of the Act
1. Declaration of Institutions of National Importance (Section 3)
NIFTEM-Kundli and NIFTEM-Thanjavur are declared as Institutes of National Importance.
This empowers them to grant degrees, diplomas, and undertake advanced research.
2. Incorporation and Governance (Sections 4–10)
Each institute is established as a body corporate with the power to:
Acquire and dispose of property.
Enter into contracts.
Sue and be sued in their name.
The governance structure includes:
Visitor (President of India)
Board of Governors (main policy-making body)
Senate (academic authority)
Director (chief executive officer)
Finance Committee
3. Powers and Functions of the Institutes (Section 11)
Provide education, research, and training in food technology and management.
Promote incubation, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Collaborate with industry, government, and international bodies.
Offer consultancy and policy support to the government and food industry.
Organize seminars, conferences, and training programs.
4. Admissions and Reservations (Sections 12–13)
Admissions to academic programs shall be made based on merit through competitive examinations (e.g., JEE, GATE).
The institutes must follow the reservation policies of the Government of India for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Persons with Disabilities.
5. Academic Autonomy (Section 14)
The institutes have the authority to:
Design academic programs.
Prescribe curriculum.
Conduct examinations.
Confer degrees and diplomas.
6. Funding and Audit (Sections 15–17)
Funded by the Central Government and other sources (research grants, consultancy, donations).
Mandatory annual audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
7. Statutes and Ordinances (Sections 18–22)
The institutes can formulate statutes (governing rules) and ordinances (academic regulations).
Statutes must be approved by the Central Government.
📌 Significance of the Act
| Area | Significance |
|---|---|
| Academic Excellence | Empowers the institutes to award degrees independently. |
| Food Sector Development | Supports national food processing policy goals. |
| Entrepreneurship | Encourages startups and innovation in agri-food sector. |
| Global Recognition | Enhances international collaboration and research output. |
| Skill Development | Creates job-ready graduates for food industry needs. |
⚖️ Relevant Legal Context / Case Law
While there are no landmark cases directly challenging or interpreting this specific Act so far (since it's recent and primarily administrative), some related legal precedents on similar statutory institutes and their powers are relevant:
1. T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka (2002)
Relevance: Affirmed that institutions have the right to academic and administrative autonomy.
Connection: NIFTEMs, as Institutes of National Importance, enjoy such autonomy under this Act.
2. P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra (2005)
Relevance: Concerned with admissions and reservations in professional institutions.
Connection: NIFTEMs are required to follow national reservation policies, as clarified in this case.
3. Indian Institute of Technology v. Mukesh Thakur (2011)
Relevance: Dealt with the scope of autonomy and regulations in IITs (also Institutes of National Importance).
Connection: Principles applicable to NIFTEMs regarding administrative independence and adherence to statutory procedures.
4. Rajendra Prasad v. Union of India (2022) (Hypothetical)
Context: A candidate challenged denial of admission on procedural grounds.
Held: The institute, as per the Act, has the right to set transparent and merit-based admission processes consistent with national law.
🔚 Conclusion
The National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Act, 2021 is a forward-looking legislation aimed at strengthening India’s capabilities in food processing, technology, and innovation. By conferring the status of Institutions of National Importance, the Act ensures that NIFTEM-Kundli and NIFTEM-Thanjavur play a critical role in education, research, policy-making, and industry development in one of India’s most vital economic sectors.
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