In the university education system as prevalent now, which of the following…

Concept

Under the standard statutory framework of an Indian university (the University Act, Statutes and Ordinances), academic and executive powers are split across distinct authorities. The Academic Council is the principal academic authority of the university; it has the power to give formal approval to the curriculum, syllabi and courses of study, and to control and coordinate the maintenance of standards of teaching and examination across all faculties.

Application

The question asks specifically about the body that gives formal approval of curriculum and courses of study. That power rests with the Academic Council of the concerned university: a Board of Studies first frames and recommends the syllabus for its subject, but those recommendations become operative only after the Academic Council formally approves them. Hence the correct body is the Academic Council of the concerned university.

How the other bodies differ

• University Executive Council / Board of Management is the chief executive (administrative and financial) authority. It manages property, finance and general administration and implements decisions; it does not give academic approval to curricula.

• Board of Studies works at the department/subject level. It drafts and recommends the syllabus and reading lists, but it cannot itself accord final approval, its proposals go up to the Academic Council.

• University Court is the supreme representative/advisory body that reviews the broad policies and progress of the university and may advise the executive; framing and approving courses of study is not its function.

So the body responsible for formal approval of curriculum and courses of study is the Academic Council of the concerned university.