The National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Act, 2021.

Summary of The National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Act, 2021
The National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Act, 2021 (Act No. 19 of 2021) – Brief Summary
The National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Act, 2021 was enacted to declare certain food technology institutes as Institutions of National Importance (INI) and to promote excellence in education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill development in the food processing sector. The Act came into force on 1 October 2021.
Objectives
• To establish world-class institutions for education and research in food technology, entrepreneurship, and management.
• To develop skilled professionals for the food processing industry.
• To promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration.
• To strengthen India's food processing sector through advanced research and technology.
Key Provisions
• Declares the following institutes as Institutions of National Importance:
o National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Kundli, Haryana.
o Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT), Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu (now National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management–Thanjavur).
• Provides for the incorporation of these institutes as autonomous statutory bodies.
• Establishes governance through:
o Board of Governors,
o Senate,
o Director,
o Finance Committee,
o Building and Works Committee, and
o A Central Council for coordination among the institutes.
• Empowers the institutes to award degrees, diplomas, and other academic distinctions.
• Provides for Central Government funding, maintenance of institute funds, accounts, and audits.
• Authorizes the Central Government to make rules and the institutes to frame Statutes and Ordinances for administration.
Significance
• Enhances the quality of higher education and research in food technology.
• Supports the growth of India's food processing industry by producing skilled manpower.
• Encourages innovation, startup creation, and entrepreneurship in the agri-food sector.
• Strengthens India's competitiveness in food processing and contributes to food security and economic development

Legislative History:
The National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Act, 2021

Source: India Code and Ministry of Food Processing Industries Official Records

Short Title - The National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Act, 2021
Act Number / Year - Act No. 19 of 2021
India Code Act ID - 202119
Introduced In - Lok Sabha
Presidential Assent Date -July 30, 2021
Official Gazette Publication -July 30, 2021
Enforcement Date - October 1, 2021
Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Food Processing Industries

Precedent & Statutory Rationale
1. Limitations of Society-Managed Status:
o Prior to 2021, premier institutions dedicated to food science, technology, and management functioned under registered societies. This setup limited their institutional autonomy, financial flexibility, nationwide expansion, and ability to design dynamic global academic and research collaborations.
2. Elevating Food Science and Processing to National Priorities:
o Grounded in national economic objectives to strengthen the food processing sector, reduce post-harvest losses, promote value addition, and encourage entrepreneurship, the legislation was enacted to elevate key institutions to apex national standing, mirroring premier technical bodies like IITs.

Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
• Formulation: Developed and piloted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries under the Union Government to provide statutory backing, academic independence, and uniform governance standards to premier food technology institutes.
• Parliamentary Passage: Introduced in Parliament, thoroughly debated, and passed by both Houses during the monsoon session of July 2021.
• Presidential Assent: Received formal Presidential Assent on July 30, 2021, entering the statute book as Act No. 19 of 2021.
• Enforcement: Brought into active operational force on October 1, 2021.