Architects Act, 1972
No: 20 Dated: May, 31 1972
THE ARCHITECTS ACT, 1972
ACT NO. 20 OF 1972
An Act to provide for the registration of architects and for matters connected therewith.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Twenty-third Year of the Republic of India as follows:—
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Architects Act, 1972.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) “architect” means a person whose name is for the time being entered in the register;
(b) “Council” means the Council of Architecture constituted under section 3;
(c) “Indian Institute of Architects” means the Indian Institute of Architects registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860);
(d) “recognised qualification” means any qualification in architecture for the time being included in the Schedule or notified under section 15;
(e) “register” means the register of architects maintained under section 23;
(f) “regulation” means a regulation made under this Act by the Council;
(g) “rule” means a rule made under this Act by the Central Government.
CHAPTER II
COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE
3. Constitution of Council of Architecture.—(1) The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute, with effect from such date as may be specified in the notification, a Council to be known as the Council of Architecture, which shall be a body corporate, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and to contract, and may by that name sue or be sued.
(2) The Head Office of the Council shall be at Delhi or at such other place as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
(3) The Council shall consist of the following members, namely:—
(a) five architects possessing recognised qualifications elected by the Indian Institute of Architects from among its members;
(b) two persons nominated by the All India Council for Technical Education established by the Resolution of the Government of India in the late Ministry of Education No. F.16-10/44-E. III, dated the 30th November, 1945;
(c) five persons elected from among themselves by heads of architectural institutions in India imparting full-time instruction for recognised qualifications;
(d) the Chief Architects in the Ministries of the Central Government to which the Government business relating to defence and railways has been allotted and the head of the Architectural Organisation in the Central Public Works Department, ex officio;
(e) one person nominated by the Central Government;
(f) an architect from each State nominated by the Government of that State;
(g) two persons nominated by the Institution of Engineers (India) from among its members; and
(h) one person nominated by the Institution of Surveyors of India from among its members.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section,—
(a) “Institution of Engineers (India)” means the Institution of Engineers (India) first registered in 1920 under the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913) and subsequently incorporated by a Royal Charter in 1935;
(b) “Institution of Surveyors of India” means the Institution of Surveyors registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860).
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (a) of sub-section (3), the Central Government may, pending the preparation of the register, nominate to the first Council, in consultation with the Indian Institute of Architects, persons referred to in the said clause (a) who are qualified for registration under section 25, and the persons so nominated shall hold office for such period as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (f) of sub-section (3), the Central Government may, pending the preparation of the register, nominate to the first Council, in consultation with the State Governments concerned, persons referred to in the said clause (f), who are qualified for registration under section 25, and the persons so nominated shall hold office for such period as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.