Para 6 — CSMOP
Original Rule Text
6. Autonomous Bodies – such bodies as are established by the Government to discharge the activities which are related to governmental functions. Such bodies are given autonomy to discharge their functions in accordance with the Memorandum of Associations (e.g. Indian Military Academy, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Central Silk Board etc).
What This Means
Para 6 defines Autonomous Bodies — a category distinct from both Constitutional Bodies (Para 4) and Statutory Bodies (Para 5). An Autonomous Body is set up by the Government to perform activities related to governmental functions, but is given significant independence — autonomy — to discharge those functions according to its own Memorandum of Association (MoA). The examples given are the Indian Military Academy, the National Institute of Fashion Technology, the Indian Institute of Technology, and the Central Silk Board.
The key characteristic of an Autonomous Body is that while it receives government funding and performs government-related work, it operates with its own governance structure defined by its MoA. The government typically appoints members to its governing board but does not directly control day-to-day operations.
For Section Officers dealing with grant-in-aid to Autonomous Bodies or overseeing their performance, it is important to understand that these bodies are not subordinate offices. Instructions cannot be issued to them as commands — formal processes of the governing body are required. At the same time, they are accountable to the Ministry and must follow the terms of their MoA and any conditions attached to grant-in-aid.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- 1Autonomous Bodies are set up by the Government but operate with independence under their own Memorandum of Association.
- 2They perform governmental functions but are not directly under the government's operational control.
- 3Examples: IITs, NIFT, Indian Military Academy, Central Silk Board.
- 4They typically receive government funding (grant-in-aid) and have government nominees on their governing boards.
- 5They are distinct from Statutory Bodies (created by Act of Parliament) and Constitutional Bodies.
- 6Section Officers cannot issue direct executive instructions to Autonomous Bodies — governance must go through formal board processes.
Practical Example
A Section Officer in the Ministry of Textiles oversees the Central Silk Board, an Autonomous Body. The Ministry wants the Board to implement a new quality certification scheme. The SO cannot issue a direct order to the Board's CEO. Instead, the Ministry conveys its requirement through its nominee members on the Board's governing body, or through a formal Government Order attached to the next round of grant-in-aid. The Board then formally adopts the quality scheme through its own governance processes. The SO monitors compliance through the Board's annual report and performance review meetings, not through day-to-day operational instructions.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.