The South Asian University Act, 2008
Administered Ministry: Ministry of External Affairs
Act details
| Short title | The South Asian University Act, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to give effect to the Agreement for the establishment of South Asian University and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. |
| Act number | 8 of 2009 |
| Act year | 2009 |
| Enactment date | 11 Jan 2009 |
| Ministry | Ministry of External Affairs |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 32 |
| Schedules | 1 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The South Asian University Act, 2008
Short Title The South Asian University Act, 2008
Act Number / Year Act No. 8 of 2009
Act ID (India Code) 200908
Presidential Assent Date January 11, 2009
Enforcement Date Brought into force via subsequent official notifications following the international inter-governmental framework.
Nodal Ministry Ministry of External Affairs
Precedent & Statutory Rationale
1. Multinational SAARC Initiative:
o At the 14th SAARC Summit, member states resolved to establish a premier international institution of higher learning—the South Asian University (SAU)—to foster regional cooperation, build a shared pool of high-level talent, and advance specialized research across South Asia.
2. Domestic Legal Enactment for an International Agreement:
o Because Article 1 of the inter-governmental agreement mandated that the main campus of the university be located in India, domestic parliamentary legislation was necessary to incorporate the institution, grant it legal personality under Indian law, and confer statutory force upon the international treaty provisions.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
• Formulation: Prepared and piloted by the Ministry of External Affairs in close coordination with SAARC diplomatic channels.
• Parliamentary Passage: Tabled, debated, and passed by both Houses of Parliament during the winter session of 2008.
• Presidential Assent: Received formal Presidential Assent on January 11, 2009, entering the statute book as Act No. 8 of 2009.
• Enforcement: Brought into force via subsequent official notifications following the international inter-governmental framework.
• Source: India Code and Ministry of External Affairs Official Records