Territorial limits on university distance education prevent a study centre from operating beyond the statutory area.

A university could not establish or operate a distance-education study centre outside the territorial limits fixed by its governing statute. The statutory scheme confined the university's powers to the districts listed in the Schedule, and ordinance-making power could not override that restriction. Because a study centre involves local academic activity, supervision, teaching, practical work and supporting facilities, it is materially different from a simple correspondence arrangement. Regulations made by the University Grants Commission could not enlarge the university's statutory jurisdiction, as subordinate legislation must conform to the parent Act; any wider distance-education reach would require amendment of the Act itself.

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Issues: Whether a university study centre for distance education could be established and operated outside the territorial jurisdiction fixed by the governing statute.

Analysis: The statutory scheme limited the university's powers to the districts specified in the Schedule, and the ordinance-making provisions could not override that territorial restriction. A study centre, unlike a mere correspondence arrangement, involves local academic activity and close supervision, including teaching, practical work, and supporting facilities. The regulations framed by the University Grants Commission could not enlarge the university's statutory area, because subordinate legislation must conform to the principal Act. Any expansion of distance-education activity beyond the statutory limits would require amendment of the Act itself.

Conclusion: The study centre at Nainital was beyond the university's territorial jurisdiction, and the challenge to the Chancellor's direction failed.

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