New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal to amend the National Institutes of Technology (NIT) Act, 2007.

The main features of the amendment are incorporation of Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) in the National Institutes of Technology (NIT) Act 2007; need to strengthen existing transitional provisions of the Act; need to give representation to nearby premier Central Institutions in the Board of Governors; and need to amend the procedure for appointment of Deputy Directors in NITs.

The amendments to the NIT Act 2007 have been made with a view to remove certain drawbacks in the existing Act. "Declaring them as Institutes of national importance, will enable them in awarding of the degrees etc", the Cabinet said here today.

The proposed amendments aim at fostering improvements in the existing set-up, establishment of proper and effective management structures in the technical Institutions, providing an environment to encourage innovative ideas.

"The National Institutes of Technology Act, 2007 covers 20 such institutions as listed in the Schedule of the Act. Now that the Act has been in operation for about 23 months, a need has been felt to amend it", the Cabinet added.

The Bill to amend the National Institutes of Technology Act, 2007 will be introduced in both the Houses of Parliament in their next session, and once the same is approved, the amendment to the Act will come in to force after receiving the assent of the President.